Which Graphics Card for my System?

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Hey there, I have recently been given a desktop computer by my parents (They both brought laptops).

Now this is a packard bell from 2007, pre made.

The specs are as follows -

Athlon 64 3800+ (2.4 GHz) (Single Core)
2GB DDR2 RAM (Support for 4GB)
Asus Motherboard - Asus M2NS-NVM
Integrated Video - NVIDIA GeForce 6100 GPU
Expansion Slots - 1x PCI Express 16X, 1x PCI Express 1X, 2x PCI

Windows Vista OS 32 Bit.
160GB HDD

So I want to get a graphics card for it, I have never had the money to fully make my own PC, so I guess upgrading this would be the next best thing - that is if it can be upgraded.

So knowing nothing about what I'm doing I have decided to come here for help.

I was looking at these graphics cards -

ATI Radeon HD 5570 1024mb GDDR3 PCI Express (2.1) Clicky

ATI Radeon HD 5670 512mb GDDR5 PCI Express (2.1) Clicky

NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 512mb GDDR5 PCI Express (2.0) Clicky


Now these cards are all around my price range (50 GBP - 75 GBP), there are more but I'm sure you don't want to trawl through loads of them, if you do then here is the site I was looking at (Clicky) As I said, 50GBP - 75GBP price range.

Now a good card which will work with my PC would be great, reccomend other cards if need be. I am looking to run games like Oblivion, Fallout 3 and Valve games.

Any help is much appreciated, thanks.

 
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Did you take a peek at the power supply?
With the 5570 the same price as the 5670 there's not much reason to pass on the 5670 if your PSU can handle it.

Oh ok, I will check that now.
 
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Ok I think I have the right thing, it says on the back of what I presume is the power brick, 100 - 240v. If this isn't what you're looking for could you tell me how to find out?
 
You'll have to peek in side at the label. It should have a make and model number.
And a data label like JB mentions. Details from that label are very useful.

17-707-006-S04
 
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It is a Packard Bell iStart 2380, as I said, not very good.
 
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Ok, I looked earlier actually. Guess I'm going in again.
 
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No I didn't :lol:, just that whatever it is, it's not very good.
 
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It says 115W max, and it should not exceed 250w. If you need model no. Then just say. Thanks.
 
115W max on +12V? "should not exceed 250w" is maybe a hint its a 250W PSU?
Model number required I think. Also the MFGR 'cause it's not likely to be Packard Bell.
You might was well list the entire data label (the electrical values and any notes) in case we can't find enough info on that PSU online.

The reason for that is we're up against advice from the video card MFGRs that a 400W PSU is recommended even for a 5570.
We know there are PSUs rated lower than can safely run that card - we just don't know if your PSU is one of those.

ss043.jpg

 
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Model Number is FSP350-60HEN

I have other numbers for various things if they help. Thanks.
 
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Ok, I'll be back in about 15 mins. Have some things to do, then I'll be back to help.
 
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Ok I'm back now, sorry about that. What can I do to help you in answering my question?
 
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Ok, I have full power details -

AC Input 220-230v -, 2A, 50HZ

DC Output +3.3v ------ 17.OA (ORG), +5V ------ 18.0A (RED), +12V1
8.OA (YEL), +SVSB - 2.OA (PURP) -, 12V ------ o.3A (BLU), +12V2
- 14.OA (YEL/BLCK)
PG Signal (GRAY), Ground (BLACK)

(3.3V & 1SV 115 Max) Total Output shall not exceed 250 Watts.

Also, I got the model No. wrong, sorry WR2. The No. is FSP250-60HEN
 

jbakerlent

Distinguished
The 5570 is extremely light on power, but I don't know that I would try it. I would recommend (if possible) starting a new very low budget build that's a step up from a single core. The Homebuilt section is the place to go for this.
 
+12V1 = 8 Amps +12V2 = 14 Amps. FSP250-60HEN shows up a lot more frequently on web searches.
The only card I could find that mentioned a successful upgrade into the iStart 2380 was a 8600GT.
If we look up the peak power consumption of that card it's somewhere around 50watts.
Other more recent cards in the same power consumption bracket would be
Geforce 240 512MB = 57watts or Radeon HD 5570 = 46watts Radeon HD 5650 = 63watts.

I don't feel good about suggesting anything other than the HD 5770.
And I can't guarantee it will work, but it's a "best guess" based on the numbers available.

If you want to consider either the Geforce 240 or Radeon HD 5650 I think it would be wise to look around the Packard Bell Support forums and see what other iStart 2380 owners have used and had success doing video card upgrades.
The forums there are down for maintenance at the moment but they can be reached through http://www.packardbell.co.uk/ and choosing Support and then Forum from the home page menus.