Sony Vaio PCV-RS510 Graphic Card Q

[stlbluz]

I've got a stock Vaio, and am looking to upgrade the factory graphics card. If I went with the Radeon X1950 Pro(or maybe the 7900GS - still undecided), what additional products would I need to purchase? I've read here that I might need another power source, any suggestions? Also, would a Samsung Syncmaster 906BW be a good monitor to purchase for gaming with my current set-up?

I know squat about computers, so any advice would be much appreciated.

The games I'm upgrading for are Wow & C&C3.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Daredevil_8]

Open the case if you can and read the label on the power supply and tell us what your PSU is rated at. It's very possible that the PSU will be very low and you may need to upgrade it.

Also, are you sure your motherboard has a PCI-E slot?

Thats a good monitor, and should look great if you get a new video card

 

[stlbluz]

Open the case if you can and read the label on the power supply and tell us what your PSU is rated at. It's very possible that the PSU will be very low and you may need to upgrade it.

Also, are you sure your motherboard has a PCI-E slot?

Thats a good monitor, and should look great if you get a new video card

I'll have to wait until I get home to check the PSU, I'm currently at work.

I do not have a PCI slot, strictly AGP.

Again my Vaio is completely stock, just like the day it was shipped. Could I find the PSU from a specs sheet?

 

[Daredevil_8]

Possibly. I'd check the sheet anyways. Would be nice if it was on there.

Sorry, I didn't even think, forgot those are agp cards

 

[stlbluz]

If I were to need a PSU upgrade, what would you suggest? I'm starting to get price leary of upgrading versus buying a new computer.

 

[realibrad]

well if you can afford to upgrade the entire computer, then do it. if the best card you can get is agp, then upgrade the whole thing. the best agp cards dont even come close to the pci-e cards.

what is your price range for agp vid card and psu?

what is your price range for system upgrade?

 

[stlbluz]

I was planning on around $200 for the vid vard. Not even sure what PSUs run. Overall, including the monitor I'm planning on around $500. I'm thinking I may need more memory too.

How much would a motherboard w/ PCI capability run?

 

[Daredevil_8]

a decent one will run you $90-$150. I understand your reasoning for only wanting to upgrade, as $500 isn't much of a budget if you're also looking to get a monitor. Tough decision..if you really need to upgrade, I guess you don't have much of a choice. Otherwise..put it off and build a new one when yo get some more $.