Replacing graphics card from Nvidia GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 to ?

[raidiant1]

Hello, I am hoping I can upgrade my graphics card to something that will run Tomb Raider Underworld. The minimum requirement for a card for this game is the GeForce 6 series 6800GT. Is there a way to replace my current card without having to replace other parts on my computer? My computer is a slimline HP, and I'm thinking that might be a problem. Here is what I could find about my computer, if you need more information I will try to find it.

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit SP1
AMD Athlon II x2 220 processor,
4.0GB RAM
Nvidia GeForce 6150SE nForce 430

Thank you

 

[Wolfshadw]

What is the exact model number of your computer? What you've already listed is the on-board graphics of the motherboard. If your computer does not have an available PCIE expansion and a powerful enough power supply, there is nothing to be done.

-Wolf sends

 

[raidiant1]

Hello, thank you for your response. My computer is an HP Pavilion Slimline s5000 Series, Model # s5703w.

 

[Wolfshadw]

Your slimline computer does have the capability for a low-profile PCI-Ex16 expansion graphics card, but with only a 220 watt power supply, I cannot guarantee that any card at all would get enough power.

HP Pavilion Slimline s5703w Desktop PC Product Specifications

-Wolf sends

 

[cryoburner]

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-pavilion-slimline-s5700-desktop-pc-series/5035352/model/5049556/document/c02623675

It looks like that system should have a PCIe x16 slot available, which is what you would want for installing a graphics card. A 220 watt power supply is pretty low wattage, but the other components shouldn't be particularly power hungry, so you could likely get away with installing an efficient lower-end card like a GT 1030, which only draws around 30 watts, and usually comes in a low-profile (slimline) size. A GT 1030 would even exceed the recommended requirements for that particular game by a fair amount.

Since that game is a bit older, even a previous-generation GT 730 would likely be enough to run it rather well, though a GT 1030 should be more than twice as fast, so it's probably only worth considering a 730 if you can find it for a substantially better price. Currently, at least in the US, you should be able to find a GT 1030 new for somewhere around $100, while GT 730s should start for around $70 new. Again, just make sure you look for a low-profile version. Most of them should be, but there are some wide GT 1030s and 730s as well.

Also, if you go for a GT 1030, note that if you use an older monitor that only has the option to connect with a VGA cable, the 1030 doesn't support VGA anymore, so you would also need an active adapter to convert to VGA from another connection such as HDMI, and such adapters can be found for less than $10 on Amazon. A GT 730 should include a VGA port built in, but again, it is a weaker card.

 

[raidiant1]

Thank you both so much for your help, Wolfshadw and Cryoburner! I will look into the GT 1030 card.