terryjh

HEY guys i am buying this video card for my computer "ATI Radeon X1650 Pro Chipset" , atm i have the NVIDIA GeForce 7300 , so i felt like it is time to up date. Ok so here the problem i dont know if my computer will be able to handle the new graphics card , i was told by a friend i wll only need to buy a new motherboard for my computer , atm i have the stock packard bell "Packard Bell BV Cuba MS-7301 1.0" so will i need to update my mother board to use the graphics card or will i have to buy other things as well .

Thanks for the help

Houndog777

Hi,
Why do you need a new motherboard?
Here's the spec of the Cuba board........
http://support.packardbell.com/uk/it...ppn=PB80100201

Here's the spec of the X1650...........
http://ati.amd.com/products/radeonx1...pro/specs.html

The X1650 is a PCI-express Video Card (not a chipset).
The Cuba motherboard can take a PCI-express Video Card.

So why buy a new board?

terryjh

i dont know :( , i was told that i might need to up date it , becuase my computer would lag out or somthing like that , come to think of it he might have siad you will need a new CPU . :( .

Thanks again and sorry

Houndog777

Hi, no need to look so unhappy, or apologise! That's a decent board.
Maybe he said you'd probably need a new PSU (power supply unit)? As upgrading a PCI-express video card usually means you need more power.

Remember, your pc should be able to do what YOU want it to do, you don't need it to be any better and you don't want it be any less.

Is it a particular game you want to be able to play?
Do you know what processor you have?

If you look at these charts, you'll see the x1650 has a score of around 280 while your current card, the geforce 7300 scores about 75........
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/
So, that's a decent upgrade but of course it depends on what you want to do with your pc.

Here also is a link to help you understand the power demands of your pc and hopefully help you on deciding if you need a new power supply, and if so, what kind............
Power Supply Information and Selection

terryjh

my cpu is*3.00 gigahertz Intel Pentium D16 kilobyte primary memory cache2048 kilobyte secondary memory cache

Well that every thing i could find on it , and i was thinking about playing warhammer online will i be ok or do i need new stuffs ?

Sorry for bothering you AGAIN

Houndog777

Hey.......... it's no problem
You may need some more memory if you've got less than 1GB. You certainly don't need a new processor.
Have a look at this...........
http://www.warhammeralliance.com/for...ad.php?t=21991

terryjh

I have 2 gigs of ram :) thing to be proud of hehe , so if i get this graphics card and a new power unit i should be good to go ? ... i am still having some problems finding out what type of power unit i need to get :(

Sorry , god i must be getting on your nerves. thanks again

vladimirb

Hello terryjh
does your new graphic card needs to be supplied directly from PSU???
If it needs, then I would suggest 450W+ PSU...
Check this out:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/ram-power-supply-support/192217-power-supply-information-selection.html

Read it and you will find PSU that bets suit your needs...

emosun

Actually guys , I used to have an x16 series and , it was horrible. The gpu just wasn't up to the challenge. And theres sooo many alternatives to it now a days. I think you should go for somthing a little newer. Your pc seems to be up to it.

Maybe go for atleast an nvidia 8600 or an ati 2600? There both pretty affordable And leaps and bounds better then the x16 series.

terryjh

Ahh ok urm lol , will my

mobo :Packard Bell BV Cuba MS-7301 1.0

Cpu :3.00 gigahertz Intel Pentium D16 kilobyte primary memory cache2048 kilobyte secondary memory cache

be up for a ,nvidia 8600 . just had a look at it will cost me about £60 but that fine if my system can handle the card

i guess my power will be another problem.


Thanks again guys your so helpful your a vault of knowledge and wisdom :)

Houndog777

See, I warned you earlier!
Buy what YOU need and want.
If you listen to gamers, you're gonna end up with £2500 computer, so you can play a £25 game for two hours on a Sunday!

(BTW, playing Warhammer, you won't see much difference between an 8600 and 8500)

emosun

Well , I don't really game very much but I like videocards. I know thats theres better cards today then an x1650 that are only like 50 or 60$.

When I bought my x16 series card I was so disapointed with how it ran , so just trying to avoid having it happen to someone else , 2 years later. Plus his pc is pretty much the same thing I have.

Houndog777

I know that Emosun!
My last post was in fun...........

Terry, buy the best card you can afford. Just remember to budget for a decent power supply also.
The power supply will probably be more expensive than the card, but you'll need it (and it'll be worth it) with a decent PCI-express video card and a Pentium D.

terryjh

I can afford the Nvidia 8600 , so i might as well get it if its in my budget , and if its better than the X1650 ,why not ...

Now i have the card , well going to , its just the problem of finding a power supply ... i better get reading that article

Thanks again

terryjh

by the looks of things my computer fall in with the

"The Power Desktop Computer Class "is similar to the Standard desktop plus more demanding gaming usage including numerous Hardware upgrades with multiple drives and a more powerful CPU paired with a fuller featured motherboard. The power desktop computer class is best suited with a 600 to 650 watt PSU of high quality construction.
Those who choose this class computer should have a dual core CPU with ONE video card up to and including the 8800 GTX. If one chooses a dual card SLI configuration, this class will handle two 8800 GTS video cards.


Do you think i should be getting a 600 to 650 watt Psu ?>

wrench97

You can use a Quality 550w psu with the 8600gt but I would up 600-650w for a 8600gts

terryjh

well i am gona go for a PNY GeForce 8600GT 512MB PCI-E , for £60 at my local pc world . so a will go out and get my self a "Quality 550w psu with the 8600gt" along with it . ?

Thanks again guys your so helpful its unbeliveable

Mcninjaguy

Corsair is always ALWAYS a good choice. I have a corsair 750w and im not that gentle with my comp. I'm never worried about my comp being underpowered

yeah a if you go with 650w or a 600w PSU it'll be enough to probably fill your comp with PIC devices so if you're just running your rig like me(except I have a sound card) it'll be fine

terryjh

my local computer show is selling a "600-W PSU P.4 ATX - DUAL FAN " , for just under £40 do you think it is a good buy ?

wrench97

Does it have a brand?
If their not advertising a brand run don't walk away.
Corsair, Antec (Neo & Trio models only), Seasonic, Coolermaster (Toughpower PRO models only), PC Power & Cooling are some of the best.