Need help picking out power supply and card

[droneout]

Hello,i recently bought an hp.the graphics arent too bad,but at the same time arent that great..

Can anyone reccomend me a power supply + a graphics card?

here are some of my specs

Processor - Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual-Core processor E5200 [2.5GHz, 2MB L2, 800MHz FSB]

it came with a GeForce 7100 nForce 630i motherboard/graphics

3GB DDR2-800MHz SDRAM [2 DIMMs]

Power supply 250 watts

Total slots 1 PCIe (x16 graphics), 1 PCI, 2 PCIe (x1)

so what would be my best route considering i would like to spend no more than a total of 300$?

 

[coozie7]

Is this a slimline or 'normal' case?
What are your doing with this system?

 

[droneout]

This is a normal case.and i bought this computer mainly for using it as my home recording studio,but i couldnt resist using it for internet and now i want to also play games on it.i bought a 20$ war game and it looks slighty choppy.i plan on playing games on it maybe 10 hrs a week tops..

i am using a 17inch westinghouse lcd and maybe in a few months i will start using a 42 inch lcdtv..

so i kind of want something that will be equally as great on both screens if possible.

thanks guys you are both real helpful.ive spent hours looking online and i havent been able to get nowhere until i found this board

 

[droneout]

the computer is al pavillion 6110t

 

[coozie7]

With a E5200 and set to stock clocks a HD4870 is going to be heavily restricted, the CPU simply cannot feed it with enough data this is a little more appropriate:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161252

And because the card needs less power you can use a less expensive, but still quality unit:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371023

Neither of the above are Godspel perfect for you and depend on the TV you're using. If it's 1080 you might want to look at the HD4770 or 9800GT class which are a step up from the HD4670

 

[daedalus685]

Given how small your display is you will be ehavily CPU limited as coozie has stated. No need to get something as powerful as a 4870 until you use a bigger display. The CPU will hold you back, and even with a fine CPU a 4850 would be the most you'd ever need for that resolution.

The CPU is not as much a factor if your TV is 1080P, while a 4850 would be sufficient still. you would notice the upgrade to a 4870 at that point.

Regardless of a "bottleneck" you wil still get mroe performance out of a 4870 when comapred to slower cards.. it just would be of questionable value for your money. As you increase the reolution it becomes less of an issue.

 

[daedalus685]

Regardless of what you do a new PSU would be required for a new GPU.

 

[daedalus685]

the e5200 is still a decent CPU and could be OC if not for the fact the PC is a HP

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2008/12/22/athlon-x2-7750-vs-intel-e5200-oc-review/4

Aye, even at stock it is still an alright low end CPU. Only at CPU limited resolutions, like most 17" displays would give you, is the 'bottlenecking" much of an issue.

 

[droneout]

hmm so anything between the 4670 and 4850 im guessing?

what brand should i go with? there is various ones i have come across

 

[droneout]

thanks guys i really appreciate it

 

[Onus]

I have a couple of the HIS cards; a 4850 and a 4670. The IceQ4 cooler is very effective and very quiet.
Antec is a solid PSU brand, but I'd look at an Earthwatts over a BP for higher quality and better efficiency.

 

[droneout]

is there any risk of damaging my computer by changing the power supply?

rookie question haha

 

[coozie7]

Mechanically, yes, the motherboard connectors can be tight risking damage if you are a little clumsy and some wires may be difficult to reach or require the removal of the CPU cooler or cooler ducting.
Take it slowly and carefully and you will be fine.
It is not possible to put the wrong connectors into the wrong sockets.
All power supplies provide standard voltages, so there's no risk of electrical damage either.

 

[droneout]

one last question for you pc gamers..

Should i settle for the 512mb SAPPHIRE HD 4670

or go for the 1gb? is it a huge difference?

 

[stevensl2]

A GTS 250, 400w PSU from corsair <--- Very Affordable

 

[droneout]

so what happens to the stock card when i install the new one?
am i supposed to disconnect the wire to that one and connect the new one? im kinda confused about that.lol

 

[maxll3]

Hey just wanna ask a question relating i am about to buy a new graphics card and PSU iv got around 140-200 Australian to purchase with any thoughts i what i should get

i was thinking the Ati 4650 1 gb from asus and the A-Power 750w dual fan PSU

my system is

Intel Pentium 4 3.00 ghz
1.2 gig ram
40gig Internal hard drive
80gig external hard drive
intergrated graphics card
windows XP

this will be mostly used to play wow , and newer games