Video Card Upgrade on HP Desktop

[Manutd871]

Hello everyone,

I want to upgrade the video card on a HP M8425F desktop, it currently has a GeForce 8500GT with 256 MB GDDR2 memory.

The specifics for the comp are here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883107724 and http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/prodinfoCategory?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=3692730 .

The power supply has a max wattage of 350 W and info is here and( http://itwinkle.stores.yahoo.net/hp35posu51.html ).

I mostly use the computer to game, mostly COD 4 and Warhammer Dawn of War 2. COD 4 runs decently under 1080x768 (maybe 30-35 fps avg) but I want smooth gameplay at higher resolution so I want to upgrade the video card. I wanted to buy the: HIS H467QSS1GP Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 card off Newegg but it requires 400 W PS or greater so I don't think I can use it.

So my question is, what is the best video card I can buy under 80 dollars or so that my desktop can run?

Thanks!!

 

[dirtmountain]

^ +1 to ct1615, i'd have no trouble going with the HD4770 and the 350w HP power supply. His second choice of the 9600GT is also a good one.

 

[Jaysin]

The 4770, if you can find it, would be the better choice though it will be a bit more expensive.

If you want to go cheaper than the 9600GT you can go this route, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125244 with a 4670. The performance isn't leaps and bounds better and often depends on which game.

 

[Manutd871]

Thanks a ton for the great replys!

One question though. I was originally thinking of getting this card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161273&nm_mc=AFC-DealNews&cm_mmc=AFC-DealNews-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA

but it says the minimum power is 400 watts but it is a 4670 like the one ct1615 suggested. What makes these cards different that I can use one but not the other?

 

[dirtmountain]

That's a great card, it gives decent performance, runs cool and runs quiet. Make sure your case can fit a dual socket card. Graphic card manufacturers usually overstate how much power your system needs since they don't know how old your PSU is or if you're using some horrible generic power supply. Your 350w power supply has plenty of power to run a 4670. Here's a very good article about how much power a system like yours actually needs. The 4670 uses about 25 more watts then the 4650 used in the "home PC" section of the article.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/system-wattage_4.html#sect0

 

[Manutd871]

Awesome post, thanks a ton. The power supply does seem to be generic as is expected with a name mass produced desktop, but is it safe then to buy the card that I posted above, HIS Radeon HD 4670?

EDIT: Nevermind now.. I just checked on NewEgg and the card is sold out.. What would be the best option other than the HIS Radeon HD 4670 on NewEgg?

 

[Manutd871]

Thanks,

I found this card which seems to be identical to the HIS Radeon HD 4760 that I wanted to get but with a VGA connector and HDMI connector instead of a secondary DVI.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161287

Is this worse than the 9800 GT that you suggested? Also I don't have too much space in the HP so is it an issue with either card? I have enough height but if the cards are very long they might not fit.

 

[dirtmountain]

That card won't have as much performance as the 9800GT, but it will run much cooler, be much quieter and still give decent performance. The card may block a couple of your SATA ports, you can either move them if you have empty SATA sockets or use a 90 degree cable that will fit under them.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812123164

 

[Manutd871]

Thanks a lot for the help! I bought the 9800 GT! Also I was thinking of installing a fan for the video card.. I have seen expansion slot fans that help with cooling, are they effective or necessary?

 

[dirtmountain]

They can help with cooling, before i'd do that i'd download a hardware monitor like HWMonitor http://www.cpuid.com/ and run it now before you install the new card and get some solid information about the temperatures your system typically runs at. After you install the new card run it and keep an eye on your temps. The 8800GT/9800GT will often run in the 80+C temp range which is just fine for that card. If it's running hotter you may want to use an expansion slot cooler or add a fan to your system to help with airflow, or add a higher CFM fan in place of an older fan.

 

[Manutd871]

Awesome thanks a lot. I really appreciate all the advice!!