Need a new Graphics Card that fits my computer

[sam_fisher3000]

Hi, first I just want to say it is my first time on this forum. I have used this site before but never like this (post on forum). I am just having trouble and I didn't know where else to post, so I thought I would try here. Seems to be a popular place to ask for help.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Sometime next week

BUDGET RANGE: $100-$150 (max $200) Canadian dollar

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming card. Upgrading for BF3. Least is video watching.

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: GT240 GDRR5 with 512mb. Power supply is unknown. How do you check?

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: Core 2 Quad, 2.33GHz and 2.34GHz, 6 GB of ram, Windows 7 Ultimate x64

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Canada - newegg, tiger direct, Canada Computer

PARTS PREFERENCES: Mainly Nvidia but can go back to ATI or AMD (had Radeon x300. Old, yeh)

OVERCLOCKING: No, doesn't matter.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Here comes the problem. ACER computer likes to have the CMOS battery right beside the graphics card/PCIe x16 slot. About 3.5 cm away from the PCIe x16 slot. The card cannot be too big or else it won't fit. If the battery wasn't there, I wouldn't have a problem and I can get however big of a card I want. I bought the GT 430 one time and it was too big. So I guess you have an idea of how small the space is. I originally had Intel graphics, upgraded to 9500GT, which fits fine. Then bought ATI 5570 but upgraded again same day. Upgraded to GT240. GT240 is a good card but I prefer to upgrade it. Now that I talked about, it's mainly for BF3.

I just want to know what kind of card would be better (lack of a better word, ah, again, lol) than GT240 while staying in the budget range. I did see HD 6770 and 6750 and seems to fit but I don't know. I want some advice or expert advice. I prefer an Nvidia card. I know I won't be able to get a GTX card but any Nvidia card that is better than GT 240 is fine. Or if not, an ATI card. Haven't seen any Nvidia card that is good and fits yet. And I don't care if it is DX 10.1 or DX 11. Seems like DX 10.1 is standard now, so I hope to have at least a DX 10.1 card. If nothing is suitable, it's fine. I will just stick with the current card. However, it's having problem installing drivers. Tried everything.

Please help. Thanks.

 

[inzone]

I don't see why the battery would be in the way , it is usually almost flush with the MB and lower that the hight of a pci-e slot The graphics card should go right over it.

MSI N560GTX-Ti Hawk GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Maybe not this exact card but if you could find a 560ti on sale at one of the places you shop this would be a great card for you. If not then a GTX 560.

 

[draggoth]

It would help a lot if you could post the model of your motherboard to take a look at how much space you have for the graphics card, maybe also post a image of the layout.

To check the specs of your power supply you need to open your computer case and check directly, most power supplies have a label on the side with its specs.

 

[sam_fisher3000]

Ok, I took some pics, hope this can help you. I didn't get to see the power supply but I am sure that I can run any cards.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=613955703214%3A1088585278&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=Share-_-Personal-_-shareCopyLink-_-Sharer-_-Top

I posted 3 pics. Hope they help. Not the best but I can't take a picture inside. I wouldn't be able to fit the camera in, so I only showed the top. I didn't want to upload on those free sites. I wanted mine secure. So I uploaded on Kodak, which is trusted.

The GT430 that I bought a while back did not have room to go over it. Just barely.

GTX 560, wow. I don't know. First, too big, second, Do I need it?

 

[draggoth]

Ok, I took some pics, hope this can help you. I didn't get to see the power supply but I am sure that I can run any cards.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=613955703214%3A1088585278&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=Share-_-Personal-_-shareCopyLink-_-Sharer-_-Top

I posted 3 pics. Hope they help. Not the best but I can't take a picture inside. I wouldn't be able to fit the camera in, so I only showed the top. I didn't want to upload on those free sites. I wanted mine secure. So I uploaded on Kodak, which is trusted.

The GT430 that I bought a while back did not have room to go over it. Just barely.

GTX 560, wow. I don't know. First, too big, second, Do I need it?

Woooha is the battery standing vertical on the motherboard? I think I've never seen a motherboard like that before, but now i get the problem with the space for the GPU. What you need is a Sinlge-slot card, just lime the GT240 you have right now. When you look for a new graphic card check the specs and look if it is a Single-slot or a Dual-slot, also check the size of the heatsink and the fan.

About the GTX 560, it may be a little to much for what you need.

 

[sam_fisher3000]

lol see? That's the problem. The battery placement is not right. If it was, I would not have any problems getting the newer ones.

Now that I remember, the GT430's fan was huge and didn't fit.

hmm...hang on to GT240 right now? ok, but I still prefer a new one. I tried looking and can't seem to find a match. I did look for HD 6770 and 6750, seems to fit but what kind of attribute for the specs should I look at? The size, length, any technical term for size? Don't think I have seen size on specs.

 

[ajay_vishvanathan]

nvidia gpu is rather bulky.. they got some width.. but you can try ATI Radeon.. they are sleeker.. you can start from 6 series.. they are heavy.. i know but they are sleeker.. oh they got some height.. if height is not a concern you can go for that.. but mind you may have to upgrade your PSU(you didn't mention it)..

 

[sam_fisher3000]

Yes, I was told by a sales representative at Future Shop that ATI cards are rather slim and long, not wide like nividia. There are no differences between Nvidia and ATI, right? And can you recommend any? I guess the 6 series are good. I mentioned 6770, I don't know if this is a good card though. Please help. I am sure my PSU is fine. If it supports GT240, it should support a 6 series. What exactly will happen if not supported?

And thanks.

 

[ajay_vishvanathan]

gt240 requires 300 watts.. and 6770 requires atleast 450 watts.. so.. i suggest you get a nice 500 watts PSU.. and yeah.. that is a good one.. you can take 5770.. thats good.. but since your resolution is high.. i suggest 6770..

 

[sam_fisher3000]

Ah, ok. I will check my PSU first to make sure if I need to buy a new one. Sorry to keep asking but how would you even install a new PSU?

Is there a real difference between 5770 and 6770? And again there is a problem of whether it will fit. 5770 may fit, well, it's an earlier card right?

Is there any other cards I can choose?

Thanks. I appreciate your help.

 

[sam_fisher3000]

Just to add, I found some of the 6770 cards to be single slot. The pictures look like it will fit. There's 2 that I saw, XFX and Asus. However, please help me some more. Thanks.

And it says PCIe 2.1

I have PCIe 2.0...

They look the same...

 

[FlintIronStagg]

that is the most retarded battery placement ive ever seen...

 

[sam_fisher3000]

Not exactly helping FlintIronStagg.

Ok, I looked at the PSU. It doesn't exactly tell you what the Watt is. Here's what it says on the sticker.

+5V ===/20A Max
+5V/SB 2A Max
-12 0.5A Max
+3.2V ===/20A Max
+12v1 ===/10A Max
+12v2 ===/13A Max (number for A is not clear when copied)

Combined power on +3.3V And +5V Rail (shall) not exceed 130W
Combined power on 12v1 And +12v2 Rail (shall) not exceed 20A
At ambient 25C Total output power shall not exceed 300W
At ambient 50C total output power shall not exceed 270W.

So I am assuming that 300W is max? I don't know. Please help. Thanks.

 

[srafig4]

6670 OC edition is good.

 

[ukee1593]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/af6850-1024d5s1-ngt440-1gqi-f1-n450gts-m2d1gd5,2949-2.html

This is toms review of gaming class single slot graphics that is currently available. The 6850 is the absolute fastest single slot video card out.

 

[Chirag Borawake]

Ok, I took some pics, hope this can help you. I didn't get to see the power supply but I am sure that I can run any cards.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=613955703214%3A1088585278&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=Share-_-Personal-_-shareCopyLink-_-Sharer-_-Top

I posted 3 pics. Hope they help. Not the best but I can't take a picture inside. I wouldn't be able to fit the camera in, so I only showed the top. I didn't want to upload on those free sites. I wanted mine secure. So I uploaded on Kodak, which is trusted.

The GT430 that I bought a while back did not have room to go over it. Just barely.

GTX 560, wow. I don't know. First, too big, second, Do I need it?

Yeah, thats absolutely what i was going to say. GTX 560 is a very big card in size compared to nvidia 9k series. And one more thing, if you got a budget upto AT 6770, then this GTX 560 would be way more costly than that. I would suggest you to go for ATI Radeon HD5770/6770 1GB GDDR5. These will do the trick if you are not planning to play the Battlefield 3 on maxed out settings, and fits in your budget too. And probably you wont have to change your PSU, because even a 500watt can run these cards smoothly.

 

[sam_fisher3000]

Wow, so much info. Thanks.

@srafig4
6670 Overclocked? hmm. Ok.

@ukee1593

Ah, I can look into it.

@Chirag Borawake

Hmm...I don't wanna max out but at least high resolution and higher settings.

And with my PSU stated above, so it's assumed I have 500Watt?

+5V ===/20A Max
+5V/SB 2A Max
-12 0.5A Max
+3.2V ===/20A Max
+12v1 ===/10A Max
+12v2 ===/13A Max (number for A is not clear when copied)

Combined power on +3.3V And +5V Rail (shall) not exceed 130W
Combined power on 12v1 And +12v2 Rail (shall) not exceed 20A
At ambient 25C Total output power shall not exceed 300W
At ambient 50C total output power shall not exceed 270W.

And I will compare the 6850 with 6770. If 6770 has a size problem, I will go with 6850 only if ukee1593 is right that it is the fastest/better/fits. If 6770's size is ok and better than 6850, I will go with it. If not, then my alternative would be 6850.

Guess no more Nvidia cards for me and returning to ATI cards.


*EDIT*: 6850 is too big. There are no single slot on sale and cost too much. And any difference between PCIe x16 2.0 and 2.1?


*EDIT*2: 6850 is out of the picture. I called Canada Computers about the HD6770, the ASUS edition. It seems to fit. So I will go with this. And I asked about the difference between PCIe x16 2.0 and 2.1, no real difference and can fit in a PCIe x16 2.0 slot. They still have all 3 in stock, which is good. And this one is single slot, seems small, can fit.

Now goes back to the question of PSU. So with the PSU I stated above, I have 500W? Or with whatever Watt I have, I can use the new card?

 

[sam_fisher3000]

I found my power supply. Asked someone and provide my model number and brand.

Brand: LITE On (should be)
Model number: PS-6301-08A

The PSU has 630Watt! I believe this is correct! Wow, that's good. If only the battery was is the right spot.

 

[ukee1593]

Yeah all standard edition Radeon 6850s are dual slot. Its only the Afox one which is single slot.

Beware though of ones line this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125396 where the card is labelled as single slot, but the cooler sticks out to dual slot size. Perhaps also measure how much space there is between the PCI backplate of the computer, and the battery as cards shorter than that length will also be able to fit in.

 

[sam_fisher3000]

Ah, thanks for your reply. I was waiting for one.

This is the one that I saw.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=43_557_558&item_id=039826

Seems to me smaller than the one you linked.

And I guess my PSU should be 300W despite the 630W. If so, i guess I can still use the new card.

Now, I have a new problem. After doing research, ATI does not have physx. I want it but if I have to sacrifice it for a stronger card, then I guess I have do.

 

[FlintIronStagg]

Ah, thanks for your reply. I was waiting for one.

This is the one that I saw.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=43_557_558&item_id=039826

Seems to me smaller than the one you linked.

And I guess my PSU should be 300W despite the 630W. If so, i guess I can still use the new card.

Now, I have a new problem. After doing research, ATI does not have physx. I want it but if I have to sacrifice it for a stronger card, then I guess I have do.

Im pretty sure with a dedicated NVIDIA card you can run physx with a program even with an ATI card as your main gpu. But physx shouldn't really be a deal breaker; there's only a handful of games that support it.
Im not Sure how the whole ATI with physx works though but I've heard of it being done

 

[sam_fisher3000]

So you're saying I can still run physx by installing the driver/program. I did hear that it will use my CPU, I don't think it was lag my computer.

Well, I have Medal of Honor, that uses physx. I know b/c it asks me to install the physx program/driver.

Anyways, thanks. I will see what to get.

 

[FlintIronStagg]

So you're saying I can still run physx by installing the driver/program. I did hear that it will use my CPU, I don't think it was lag my computer.

Well, I have Medal of Honor, that uses physx. I know b/c it asks me to install the physx program/driver.

Anyways, thanks. I will see what to get.

You can play that game even with ati- it doesn't matter if it says physx

 

[sam_fisher3000]

You can play that game even with ati- it doesn't matter if it says physx

Ok thanks. I spoke to the salesperson at Canada Computer and I can go for HD 6770. Then they suggested also the GTX 550. Lower than GTX 560 but it will do. And both the GTX 550 and HD 6770 card should fit. They are both the same size. Gigabyte brand. There's some space for the battery. So I am going with GTX 550. I still need a new PSU. They recommended me one. It has 670W. I only have 20A but I need at least 24A for GTX 550. 40A for 6770.

So thanks. Guess I am set. GTX 550 would be the ultimate card I have. If it doesn't fit, I will go try the 6770. If not, I will just stay with my current GPU.

Anyways, thanks guys! I appreciate the help!

 

[Chirag Borawake]

I found my power supply. Asked someone and provide my model number and brand.

Brand: LITE On (should be)
Model number: PS-6301-08A

The PSU has 630Watt! I believe this is correct! Wow, that's good. If only the battery was is the right spot.

There you go, congrats for that.