ATI Radeon x300/x550 Upgrade Confusion?

mezagodyah · 11-24-2008, 01:45 AM

Well I am still learning some things about computers and one that im still very bad with is graphics cards. I do not know what to upgrade mine to cause i wish to play games that are more powerful. What should i upgrade my ATI Radeon x300/x550 to? I am looking for something rather not to pricey but if it is im willing to go out of my way to pay for it.

**emosun** · 11-24-2008, 04:40 AM

Welcome to tsf.

Please post the make and model of your computer and also your budget.

bmcclasky · 12-15-2008, 05:23 PM

I am also Looking at upgrading a video card from a radeon X300 but have some concerns. The power supply that I have in my computer is proprietary to Sony so upgrading the power supply seems diffucult

. It says that it is a 365watt power supply unit. I made the mistake of ordering the wrong video card (it requires 400 watts)

. My system is running windows XP media center edition and is a Sony VAIO® VGC-RA820G. Was hoping for some advice so I don't make another mistake.

bmcclasky · 12-15-2008, 05:24 PM

Budget is under $100

bmcclasky · 12-15-2008, 05:30 PM

what about this card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...XFX-_-14150247

**emosun** · 12-15-2008, 05:37 PM

Welcome to tsf. You would idealy want another ati card an not nvidia as the drivers issues between the two are a hassle. With only 365watts a 2600 pro (not xt) with ddr2 only is as high as I would go.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131115
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161098

The Powercolor is the cheapest but the HIS has a very good cooler.

bmcclasky · 12-15-2008, 05:59 PM

I am looking for something that runs Microsoft Flight Simulator X Sp2 it runs on my x300 right now but graphics are low. Will these cards work? and how much improvement can I expect?

bmcclasky · 12-15-2008, 06:51 PM

Is it possible to switch to a Nvidia card and how difficult is it?

bmcclasky · 12-15-2008, 07:22 PM

The HIS card says it needs 550 watt Power supply.
http://www.hisdigital.com/UserFiles/...7-41353-10.pdf

What about this card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121281

11-24-2008, 01:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
mezagodyah Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1 OS: xp	ATI Radeon x300/x550 Upgrade Confusion? Well I am still learning some things about computers and one that im still very bad with is graphics cards. I do not know what to upgrade mine to cause i wish to play games that are more powerful. What should i upgrade my ATI Radeon x300/x550 to? I am looking for something rather not to pricey but if it is im willing to go out of my way to pay for it.

11-24-2008, 04:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 5,534 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: ATI Radeon x300/x550 Upgrade Confusion? Welcome to tsf. Please post the make and model of your computer and also your budget. __________________ Speedfan Everest Gpu Benchmarks How to install a power supply How to install a video card

12-15-2008, 05:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
bmcclasky Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Re: ATI Radeon x300/x550 Upgrade Confusion? I am also Looking at upgrading a video card from a radeon X300 but have some concerns. The power supply that I have in my computer is proprietary to Sony so upgrading the power supply seems diffucult. It says that it is a 365watt power supply unit. I made the mistake of ordering the wrong video card (it requires 400 watts). My system is running windows XP media center edition and is a Sony VAIO® VGC-RA820G. Was hoping for some advice so I don't make another mistake.

12-15-2008, 05:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
bmcclasky Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Re: ATI Radeon x300/x550 Upgrade Confusion? Budget is under $100

12-15-2008, 05:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
bmcclasky Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Re: ATI Radeon x300/x550 Upgrade Confusion? what about this card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...XFX-_-14150247

12-15-2008, 05:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 5,534 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: ATI Radeon x300/x550 Upgrade Confusion? Welcome to tsf. You would idealy want another ati card an not nvidia as the drivers issues between the two are a hassle. With only 365watts a 2600 pro (not xt) with ddr2 only is as high as I would go. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131115 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161098 The Powercolor is the cheapest but the HIS has a very good cooler. __________________ Speedfan Everest Gpu Benchmarks How to install a power supply How to install a video card

12-15-2008, 05:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
bmcclasky Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Re: ATI Radeon x300/x550 Upgrade Confusion? I am looking for something that runs Microsoft Flight Simulator X Sp2 it runs on my x300 right now but graphics are low. Will these cards work? and how much improvement can I expect?

12-15-2008, 06:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
bmcclasky Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Re: ATI Radeon x300/x550 Upgrade Confusion? Is it possible to switch to a Nvidia card and how difficult is it?

12-15-2008, 07:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
bmcclasky Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 6 OS: XP	Re: ATI Radeon x300/x550 Upgrade Confusion? The HIS card says it needs 550 watt Power supply. http://www.hisdigital.com/UserFiles/...7-41353-10.pdf What about this card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121281 Last edited by bmcclasky; 12-15-2008 at 07:30 PM.