Low Profile Card upgrading: Slimline s5-1224

[Willybacon]

Alright.. so I have been doing a lot of research on low profile graphics cards and slimline computers. I realize that I had made a mistake in thinking of buying a slimline pc and upgrading it to gaming capacity. Although after some research on this site and others, there may be some good options.

Here is the Slimline I have: (Hp Pavillion Slimline s5-1224)
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c03355381&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=5231538

After my research I found this to be one of the best, if not, low profile cards.
Sapphire Radeon 7750: (low profile)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202002&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=6146836&SID=14xb3cgkl2int

I'm not sure if my pc can run this card... but if not is there a better option or should I go for a budget custom build pc?
I've seen people saying that these graphics cards only max out 25w, 40w, etc.. The s5-1224 has a 220watt power supply. Would my PC be able to handle it, if not would any of these be able to handle it?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007657%20600014004&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=58&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=6146836&SID=1nbvmvdh385db

I was hoping not to have to spend $100 on a card, but it seems like the best option. Is there any other options I have... or should I just stick with the Sapphire Radeon HD 7750 if it works on my pc?

I'm not entirely sure on which games I would like to get into, but I'm hoping to get medium and sometimes low on the games like, Arma 3(Alpha), Battlefield 3(low probably), and some other decent games out there today.

I have also considered selling the pc, and going and building my own... but that isn't my preference.. I would do a budget build like this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n2EY_-xywI
(This probably isn't the best budget build.. just an example.)

I would appreciate any feedback and suggestions! Thanks for reading and I will do my best to stay active in your questions/responses to me.

 

[huilun02]

If your slimline had a graphics card in it in the first place, there is a good chance the 7750 will run without problems. Because those ancient old graphics cards do not run nearly as efficient as a 28nm processor, and would have been using more power than the 7750.

It's not worth getting any card inferior to a 7750 as they are mostly older cards that use more power (despite being inferior...)


edit: That $400/$500 system you linked is simply not worth the money as it uses the 7770 which is only better than the 7750. Stick with a 7750 if you can, and wait out until you have more money to build a seriously more powerful rig.

 

[Willybacon]

If your slimline had a graphics card in it in the first place, there is a good chance the 7750 will run without problems. Because those ancient old graphics cards do not run nearly as efficient as a 28nm processor, and would have been using more power than the 7750.

It's not worth getting any card inferior to a 7750 as they are mostly older cards that use more power (despite being inferior...)


edit: That $400/$500 system you linked is simply not worth the money as it uses the 7770 which is only better than the 7750. Stick with a 7750 if you can, and wait out until you have more money to build a seriously more powerful rig.

Looking a little more closely.. Will the card actually even fit my pc? It says on the sapphire page that it requires a PCI Express 3.0 x16 .. When I look on my motherboard specs the only slots I have are:
1 PCI Express x16 (Gen2.0)
3 PCI Express x1 (Gen2.0)
1 PCI Express Mini Card x1

I realize the budget build I linked wasn't great.. I just used it as a reference
**EDIT**
As well the PC only has an integrated graphics card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD (DX10.1)

 

[huilun02]

It will fit, but probably won't work as 220W is dangerously low. Perhaps change your PSU to something better and you won't be limited to just the 7750 anymore.

 

[Willybacon]

It will fit, but probably won't work as 220W is dangerously low. Perhaps change your PSU to something better and you won't be limited to just the 7750 anymore.

what do you suggest I upgrade it to?

 

[huilun02]

Depends on how much you are willing to spend, what is the resolution of your monitor? Do you have more than one upgrade slot free to take a bigger graphics card?

 

[Willybacon]

Depends on how much you are willing to spend, what is the resolution of your monitor? Do you have more than one upgrade slot free to take a bigger graphics card?

Well I already didn't really want to spend $100 on the card.. but changing my psu with it is gonna be quite a bit, I mean if I can go no more than $50 on the psu then it would be great, but still way over what I want to spend... I mean is it really worth it to spend this much money on this computer?

**EDIT**
my moniter runs at 1366x768..

 

[huilun02]

Nah there is no point trying up upgrade with less than $100, you will probably not find any card other than the 7750 that will consume less power. And in the first place it might not even work with 220W.

So if you are unwilling to get a new PSU and graphics card (which is going to cost you over $150 in total) you would be better off leaving your Slimline as it is and wait till you got more money to make/buy a new PC.

 

[Willybacon]

Nah there is no point trying up upgrade with less than $100, you will probably not find any card other than the 7750 that will consume less power. And in the first place it might not even work with 220W.

So if you are unwilling to get a new PSU and graphics card (which is going to cost you over $150 in total) you would be better off leaving your Slimline as it is and wait till you got more money to make/buy a new PC.

Alright dude.. well thanks for the help I appreciate it! Hopefully I can get some more money soon..