pavilion slimline graphics upgrade help

[wilcoxandrew]

I recently bought a used pavilion slimline sf5220f desktop. I never really checked into how old or good the computer really is, but it works okay for the school work that I do. The slimline looks nice and fits well in my small dorm room.

I recently purchased a new game and had graphics dificulties and it cant render the game properly. It's unplayable with my current system. The game I'm taking about is Might and Magic Legacy X.

I realized that the computer has Crappy Intel G31 integrated graphics. I searched online for compatible GPUs and came upon the MSI GeForce GT610 2GB (i like Nvidia products) which is in my budget. It's 64bit and I know it won't be bottlenecked (much) by the pc as its a low end card. I would like something maybe a little better. This is my first time buying and dealing with graphics processors.

I currently have an Intel E5300 CPU but just ordered the Intel E8600 as its the most powerful CPU I can use with my motherboard as far as I know.

My motherbaord is MSI Boston MS 7525 and I have 4GB 6400 ram (2x2gb). I believe the motherbaord is limited by pcx 2.0. And pci x16 cards. I have one card slot.

So my question is... What is the best specs on a card that I can use (highest card) with my build? I prefer nvidia and I don't want to spend too much money as I'm a casual gamer. Will 128 bit cards be too much for my motherboard? And will I be limited by the Intel E8600 CPU or is it a fairly good chip? I'm just asking to help optimize my pc for graphics (I don't need major graphics as I'm a casual gamer and play maybe 1 hr/day at most). I do know I need a bigger PSU than the stock 220W PSU also. Maybe the GeForce 610 is a good choice for me?

Help much appreciated.

 

[bccorrupt]

It's never fun being the bearer of bad news, but here we go.

The bad:
The game you want to play has some pretty high minimum and recommended hardware and definitely doesn't qualify as casual.
A GT610 is mostly useless and barely better than most integrated graphics.
Your tower is a slimline which limits the graphics cards you can use.
Your tower is a slimline which limits the power supplies you can use and considering the factory is 220w you CANNOT run any graphics card on it that will actually play any games.

The good:
You have a dual core and 4GB of ram.
After upgrading for this game you should be able to play most new games on low to medium at 1080p or medium at 720p.

About the best price you're going to find on a power supply that will fit your case is this one. 3 year warranty and a solid brand.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151090

The cheapest video card I would consider usable for games that will fit in your slot is this one. You may can find a different brand or different site that has one similar for cheaper, just make sure it's the model with ddr5 memory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127752

 

[wilcoxandrew]

Thanks for the info. I like that gt 640, didn't know graphics that high could be compatible. I'm wondering.. would 128 Bit cards work in my pc? Or will it be bottlenecked by the mobo and processor?

 

[bccorrupt]

Yes, 128 bit cards will work in your PC, you're just limited in selection because you need low profile. The Nvidia 750 just came out last month in low profile and if you can afford to spend a little more for it it's a great card, you'll just have to hunt around to find one since it just came out. With it you can probably run most games on high at 720p and easily medium at 1080p.
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=ZT-750LP1G&c=FR&pid=601376676172f4bdd3222625b782226e42940ebf536523a1007afe7ff0349dbe&gclid=CjkKEQjwia-dBRC07eeatYGe-78BEiQArZhbgG65t-TGg8qVXfAXZYxz_rnJLXQXrm83uF8N6KiGtaLw_wcB

Also ignore the "400w recommended" on that site. The 750 and 750ti officially by Nvidia require a 300w power supply and that Seasonic is an extremely solid power supply. You're more likely to die or throw away the computer in 5 years than for that power supply to give out to any low profile card.

 

[wilcoxandrew]

Wow, thanks. That's a great card too (750Ti), If I played more games I would have definitely gotten that one.

I just received the Geforce GT610 2GB today and popped it in my pc. Took about 20 minutes to download drivers and set up. It runs Might and Magic Legacy X on medium-high settings. If I ever decide I need something more powerful I now have a good idea of what I can get. I have an eye on that 300W Seasonic PSU if I upgrade.

The Nvidia site recommends a 300W power supply for the GT610, but it seems to work fine with my 220W power supply so far. I imagine my OEM 220W PSU should be fine as its a low power card (29W).

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2941930&CatId=3669

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gt-610/specifications.