Okay, I currently own a HP a6203w. I have already upgraded the RAM and now have 4 Gigs of ram. I now have about 140 bucks left over from christmas and was wanting to upgrade the PSU and Video Card. It isn't installed yet, but also for christmas I got an AMD 64 x2 5600+ 2.9ghz processor to replace the AMD 64 x2 4400+ 2.2Ghz that came in it. I am now working on replacing the CRAPPY integrated Nvidia 6150se nforced GPU. I have been told that the ATI 4350 and ATI 4650 are both good cards, small, and would work well for me. PSU I have no idea on that of where to go or what to look for, brand wise or what wiring, connectors I would need. If it helps, I am currently playing or hoping to be playing, Dragon Age Origins, Need For Speed Undercover, Sims 3, Runes of Magic, and Prototype. I don't care if I can't max these out. I just want low to mid settings at smooth frames. Thanks.
you can get faster video cards than those on a $140 budget. An 9800gt would be able to max out a few of your games and be able to smoothly run some of the higher end games. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143151 this power supply will be able to handle the increased power of the new video card. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008
Yeah but two problems, one will it fit in my computer? I don't know if it will or if it wont. http://www.geeks.com/largePic_All.asp?InvtId=GS354AAR&Pic=GS354AAR-soft.jpg That is a picture of my tower and that black slot is the PCI express. I was told by other people amongst here, best buy, and yahoo answers to look for a small or low profile card. Also, I am open to either nvidia or ATI, how does the 9800gt compare with the 4670? Thanks again.
After looking at the picture of your computer I think that it will be able to fit. But to be sure you should open up the computer and check how much room you have behind the pcu e slot. If you have a ruler and measure. The 9800gt is around 10in. You don't need a low profile card. Your case can fit regular width cards. The 9800gt is definitely faster than the 4650. But it does cost a little more.
Yeah, I was asking how it compared with the 4670 though. I found a few of those on newegg that were around the same price as the 9800gt. I am not one to favor any certain brand, just best performance for the dollar. Although I have read up more and heard more on the ATI cards than I have the nvidia, so I am in the dark on nvidia cards. But I will keep looking with that in mind. The 9800gt and other cards about that size within that price.
Here is a review of the ati 4670. To the 9800gt is not in the review but the 8800gt is. the 800gt and 9800gt are exactly the same performance. http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/hd4670/
Ahh, kk. Thanks lol. I am new to all of this, and I read at the end of all that he said the 3870 and the 8800gt had more staying power for the gaming world so that is a plus for the 9800gt. And that PSU should be enough right? the one you listed earlier, I think 400w. Thanks for the help, is there anything I should know or read before installing? It will be my first video card install ever, so yeah. It should be one helluva upgrade to the integrated 6150se nforce I have now.
Also, I read some reviews that it runs hot. I have no idea about this like I said above, how do I find out how hot its running, fan speeds, etc? Also I have only one fan in my comp now, would you recommend putting in more fans?
The power supply I listed will work fine with the 9800gt. If you can get another fan for your computer that would be good. The 88/9800gt do run a little hot but the stock coolers will keep it within safe operating temperatures. This program will show you the temperature and voltages of everything in your computer http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php
Ok, again much thanks man. *squeals excitedly* FINALLY..after a year of gaming at crappy fps and not being able to touch new games. I have done it. lol.
Okay, I have had a few people from yahoo answers and replying to me on youtube, saying I should get a bigger case for this card....WTF lol. They said it will fit but it will be a huge pain. But then again wont buying a new case and moving EVERYTHING from my case to the new one, wont that be a pain as well? Just wondering if a new case is a must.
Don't listen to the people on yahoo. Just get yourself a ruler, open your case and measure how much room you have at the pci e slot. When I looked at the picture I saw that there was nothing that would stop you from using a long card. you would have to route the cables a little but that is not difficult.
lol, no no no, I was saying I wasn't listening to the yahoo people and getting advice here. I trust this forum WAY more than yahoo answers.
