Need help finding new video card

Coldstreak18 · 07-12-2009, 01:33 PM

I need help finding a new video card my only problem is a have a 300 watt PSU. I found an Nvidia 9800 for 100 on new egg but i don't think my PSU can handle it. I just had my x800xl die on me i think from heat. if anyone can tell me of a cheap card that my PSU can handle that is capable of left 4 dead and call of duty 4 and will play some other newer games let me know. money is tight and I can only afford a new card not a new PSU. I don't expect any game to run full settings but i was hoping for medium.

Phædrus2401 · 07-12-2009, 03:35 PM

Well, I wouldn't want to run anything on a stock 300 watt PSU, but if that's what you're stuck with, I can understand.

You can probably manage a GeForce 9400GT. You can pick those up for ~$50. If you're willing to live on the dangerous side you can try a 9500GT, but that'll be pushing it for your PSU. A 9500GT is about $70.

Coldstreak18 · 07-12-2009, 07:49 PM

would these cards be compatible with my pc its about 4 years old and idk if i have PCIEx16 2.0 also which is the best

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814162022

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187083

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187084

**grimx133** · 07-13-2009, 12:59 AM

What is the make and model of your computer, if OEM built?
Make and model of motherboard if custom (ie: self) built?

Phædrus2401 · 07-13-2009, 01:42 AM

There are a number of different slots you can have on your motherboard, and we need to know that before we can tell you what cards you can use.

PCI: very low bandwidth, very few cards available and generally more expensive and lower-performing.
AGP: The old video card standard, there are some good cards out for it but they are expensive for the performance given.
PCIe x1: No real graphics cards for it, maybe one or two
PCIe x16 1.0: Standard for graphics cards, most modern ones use this or
PCIe x16 2.0: Higher bandwidth version of PCIe x16, you won't see any difference between this and 1.0 unless you get a really high-end card, which you aren't.

So, uh, yeah, what Grimx133 said.

I will say, if you're going to get an Nvidia GeForce graphics card, brands like EVGA/XFX/BFG are preferred over Galaxy and Sparkle, you get better quality and/or customer support, and there's usually little or no price difference.

Coldstreak18 · 07-13-2009, 09:31 AM

Sorry I have a Gateway 835GM computer when I tried tracking down the motherboard model number I couldn't find a definite answer some people said it was one thing others said they had a different model but that was like 3 years ago. I know I have PCIE x16 1.0 but i wasn't sure if a 2.0 card would work with 1.0. also i wanted to make sure that those cards wouldn't be to much for my power supply. and which card is the most powerful?

**grimx133** · 07-13-2009, 07:30 PM

Here's the main gateway page for your computer.
http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/5022/5022nv.shtml

And the motherboard.
http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERB...103938nv.shtml

You do have a pci-ex16 slot, but your problem will be the power supply. 300 watts isn't enough to power much in the line of video cards, I can't think of one that I would use. Though I wouldn't use a psu that weak in any system.

Phædrus2401 · 07-13-2009, 09:24 PM

^ What Grim said. You might manage a 9400GT:
EVGA GeForce 9400GT 512MB 64-bit GDDR2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130471
$49.99

But I wouldn't count on it. If you really want a decent graphics card you'll have to upgrade your power supply.

dai · 07-13-2009, 10:38 PM

for pcie you start at a quality 550w psu

gateway are well known for their underpowered systems

if you cannot afford both go with the psu first,then wait till you have the money for the card

**emosun** · 07-13-2009, 10:56 PM

From what I see you got a 100$ budget , this is the cheapest setup we can recommend. There should be enough room for shipping. I would not attempt a pci-e 2.0 card on an older oem machine like that.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...cooling%20420w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121235

Coldstreak18 · 07-15-2009, 09:29 PM

I appreciate your guys help but i cant upgrading the PSU. My dad would never let me do that kind of work on the computer. I know the PSU isn't that powerful but for 50 bucks if the card lasts even a year that's fine. hopefully by then i can build my own PC and if I have to upgrade that PSU later on that's not a problem it will be mine. But for now I have to deal with the PSU i have. What card can my PC manage that will run left 4 dead?

**emosun** · 07-16-2009, 03:20 AM

We aren't really gonna recommend any cards for a stock 300w power supply. Changing a power supply doesn't take very long and isn't very hard. I'm sure your dad would be more upset if your current power supply or any other components fried because it didn't have a quality one in it.

Mcninjaguy · 07-16-2009, 04:27 AM

The components would fry in about 6 months max using that 300w PSU.

07-12-2009, 01:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Coldstreak18 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Vista	Need help finding new video card I need help finding a new video card my only problem is a have a 300 watt PSU. I found an Nvidia 9800 for 100 on new egg but i don't think my PSU can handle it. I just had my x800xl die on me i think from heat. if anyone can tell me of a cheap card that my PSU can handle that is capable of left 4 dead and call of duty 4 and will play some other newer games let me know. money is tight and I can only afford a new card not a new PSU. I don't expect any game to run full settings but i was hoping for medium.

07-12-2009, 03:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,822 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Need help finding new video card Well, I wouldn't want to run anything on a stock 300 watt PSU, but if that's what you're stuck with, I can understand. You can probably manage a GeForce 9400GT. You can pick those up for ~$50. If you're willing to live on the dangerous side you can try a 9500GT, but that'll be pushing it for your PSU. A 9500GT is about $70. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

07-12-2009, 07:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Coldstreak18 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Vista	Re: Need help finding new video card would these cards be compatible with my pc its about 4 years old and idk if i have PCIEx16 2.0 also which is the best http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814162022 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187083 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187084

07-13-2009, 12:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,144 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: Need help finding new video card What is the make and model of your computer, if OEM built? Make and model of motherboard if custom (ie: self) built? __________________

07-13-2009, 01:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,822 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Need help finding new video card There are a number of different slots you can have on your motherboard, and we need to know that before we can tell you what cards you can use. PCI: very low bandwidth, very few cards available and generally more expensive and lower-performing. AGP: The old video card standard, there are some good cards out for it but they are expensive for the performance given. PCIe x1: No real graphics cards for it, maybe one or two PCIe x16 1.0: Standard for graphics cards, most modern ones use this or PCIe x16 2.0: Higher bandwidth version of PCIe x16, you won't see any difference between this and 1.0 unless you get a really high-end card, which you aren't. So, uh, yeah, what Grimx133 said. I will say, if you're going to get an Nvidia GeForce graphics card, brands like EVGA/XFX/BFG are preferred over Galaxy and Sparkle, you get better quality and/or customer support, and there's usually little or no price difference. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for. Last edited by Phædrus2401; 07-13-2009 at 01:43 AM.

07-13-2009, 09:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
Coldstreak18 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Vista	Re: Need help finding new video card Sorry I have a Gateway 835GM computer when I tried tracking down the motherboard model number I couldn't find a definite answer some people said it was one thing others said they had a different model but that was like 3 years ago. I know I have PCIE x16 1.0 but i wasn't sure if a 2.0 card would work with 1.0. also i wanted to make sure that those cards wouldn't be to much for my power supply. and which card is the most powerful?

07-13-2009, 07:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,144 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: Need help finding new video card Here's the main gateway page for your computer. http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/5022/5022nv.shtml And the motherboard. http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERB...103938nv.shtml You do have a pci-ex16 slot, but your problem will be the power supply. 300 watts isn't enough to power much in the line of video cards, I can't think of one that I would use. Though I wouldn't use a psu that weak in any system. __________________

07-13-2009, 09:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,822 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Need help finding new video card ^ What Grim said. You might manage a 9400GT: EVGA GeForce 9400GT 512MB 64-bit GDDR2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130471 $49.99 But I wouldn't count on it. If you really want a decent graphics card you'll have to upgrade your power supply.

07-13-2009, 10:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,637 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Need help finding new video card for pcie you start at a quality 550w psu gateway are well known for their underpowered systems if you cannot afford both go with the psu first,then wait till you have the money for the card __________________

07-13-2009, 10:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,983 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Need help finding new video card From what I see you got a 100$ budget , this is the cheapest setup we can recommend. There should be enough room for shipping. I would not attempt a pci-e 2.0 card on an older oem machine like that. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...cooling%20420w http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121235 __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

07-15-2009, 09:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
Coldstreak18 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Vista	Re: Need help finding new video card I appreciate your guys help but i cant upgrading the PSU. My dad would never let me do that kind of work on the computer. I know the PSU isn't that powerful but for 50 bucks if the card lasts even a year that's fine. hopefully by then i can build my own PC and if I have to upgrade that PSU later on that's not a problem it will be mine. But for now I have to deal with the PSU i have. What card can my PC manage that will run left 4 dead?

07-16-2009, 03:20 AM	#12 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,983 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Need help finding new video card We aren't really gonna recommend any cards for a stock 300w power supply. Changing a power supply doesn't take very long and isn't very hard. I'm sure your dad would be more upset if your current power supply or any other components fried because it didn't have a quality one in it. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

07-16-2009, 04:27 AM	#13 (permalink)
Mcninjaguy Temporarily Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,422 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Need help finding new video card The components would fry in about 6 months max using that 300w PSU.