Looking for new graphics card

Nomak · 08-25-2008, 08:37 AM

Hi,

I'm on the market for a replacement graphics card for my 2year old media center system. It's running a PCi-e ATI x550, with a 3.2Ghz P4 processor.

Right now when I play HD-dvds I get a lot of jerkiness and it's not very good at playing games at anything more than minimum settings. I dont want to play the latest games, but I'd like to see an improvement.

Only problem is the PSU, it's 180W right now (10A on 12V rail) because of its unique size its very hard to find a replacement, let alone a 300W+ one.

Whats the best graphics card I can get without upgrading my PSU? Budget is another consideration, I dont want to spend too much on an old system. I was thinking about picking up a used one from ebay.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

**FreoHeaveho** · 08-25-2008, 10:03 AM

Unfortunately, without upgrading the PSU you will not be able to upgrade, and to be honest, you are lucky to be running that machine with only 10A on the 12V rail. PSU is needed I am afraid.

Nomak · 08-25-2008, 06:13 PM

You mean to say there is no graphics card that can run on a 180W PSU?

Odd, I had a 110W PSU before (8.5A on 12V), and the system was fine 2 years.

Not looking for anything too heavy, just a modest improvement to what I'm getting right now.

**wrench97** · 08-25-2008, 06:31 PM

180w is even low for onboard video these days, and underpowered may explain your current problems, I used to have an X500 played HD videos fine and would play Nascar 2005 on medium settings fine. With a P4 3.6 and a stock Dell 375w.
All lower end PCIE_x16 cards are wanting to see a minimum of 22 amps on the 12v and more the higher the card or you get interment and heat problems.

08-25-2008, 08:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
Nomak Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7 OS: XP	Looking for new graphics card Hi, I'm on the market for a replacement graphics card for my 2year old media center system. It's running a PCi-e ATI x550, with a 3.2Ghz P4 processor. Right now when I play HD-dvds I get a lot of jerkiness and it's not very good at playing games at anything more than minimum settings. I dont want to play the latest games, but I'd like to see an improvement. Only problem is the PSU, it's 180W right now (10A on 12V rail) because of its unique size its very hard to find a replacement, let alone a 300W+ one. Whats the best graphics card I can get without upgrading my PSU? Budget is another consideration, I dont want to spend too much on an old system. I was thinking about picking up a used one from ebay. Any suggestions? Thanks,

08-25-2008, 10:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
FreoHeaveho TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3,227 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 SP2, Windows XP Professional SP3, Mac OSX Leopard My System	Re: Looking for new graphics card Unfortunately, without upgrading the PSU you will not be able to upgrade, and to be honest, you are lucky to be running that machine with only 10A on the 12V rail. PSU is needed I am afraid. __________________ PC Wizard-VGA 2009 Charts-Power Supply Info-Multi/Single Rail PSU?-Speedfan-Driver Sweeper

08-25-2008, 06:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nomak Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7 OS: XP	Re: Looking for new graphics card You mean to say there is no graphics card that can run on a 180W PSU? Odd, I had a 110W PSU before (8.5A on 12V), and the system was fine 2 years. Not looking for anything too heavy, just a modest improvement to what I'm getting right now.

08-25-2008, 06:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,659 OS: Win7	Re: Looking for new graphics card 180w is even low for onboard video these days, and underpowered may explain your current problems, I used to have an X500 played HD videos fine and would play Nascar 2005 on medium settings fine. With a P4 3.6 and a stock Dell 375w. All lower end PCIE_x16 cards are wanting to see a minimum of 22 amps on the 12v and more the higher the card or you get interment and heat problems. __________________ Power Supply and Selection