Upgrading

igt · 11-04-2009, 06:30 AM

I'm an avid gamer and looking to upgrade my video card but I don't know where to start.

Current: NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430

Here's my system specifications.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01237538&cc=hk&lc=en&dlc=en&product=3946088

What cards should I be looking to buy that's compatible with my motherboard?
I can't quite put my finger on the budget. Maybe under 200$?

igt · 11-04-2009, 09:24 PM

I'm thinking about getting a
XFX GeForce 9600 GSO Video Card - 768MB DDR2, PCI Express 2.0, Dual Link DVI, SLI Ready.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4128445&Sku=P450-9616
1 problem I think will be the current power supply and
I'm a bit shaky from the 2.0 thing at end of PCIE.

ebackhus · 11-05-2009, 01:44 AM

I can tell you that a PCI-E 2.0 will work fine in a PCI 1.x slot. The only caveat is that not ALL nVidia cards will work well with PCI-E 1.x slots. Another very important factor is the power supply. Computers that use integrated graphics often have very low-end units that put out maybe 250w. That card needs at least a 450w unit and a quality one at that. Let us know what you're willing to spend and we can help with the rest.

igt · 11-05-2009, 02:29 PM

CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003

ATX 530 Watt ATX Silent Quiet Power Supply
http://www.atxcases.com/item.asp?id=7133&desc=atx-530-watt-atx&referid=162164

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

Is it worth getting or just a bust?
$200 for everything, not much to work with =(

Phædrus2401 · 11-05-2009, 02:37 PM

The Corsair VX450W is an excellent PSU. Personally I would be happier with the 550W version, but if you can't foot the extra $15 the 450W will work.

igt · 11-05-2009, 02:40 PM

Hehe Just added it to list then i see your recommendation.
so the 550, Anything else I need to worry about?

Phædrus2401 · 11-05-2009, 03:22 PM

The middle power supply in your list there, the ATX 530W looks like trash. With 24A on the +12V rail it's actually a 350W PSU, and insufficient to run your system. The Corsair VX450W has 32A on the +12V rail, and the VX550W has 41A.

**emosun** · 11-05-2009, 06:00 PM

I say if your an avid gamer go with a 600w ocz and a 9800gt , just fits into 200

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341017
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-518-_-Product

**emosun** · 11-05-2009, 06:04 PM

Also wouldn't bother with that specific 9600 as it's a ddr2 model and won't really be any faster then a 9500.

igt · 11-05-2009, 07:15 PM

Ultra LSP650 650-Watt Power Supply
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3276573&CatId=1483
Any good?
Cheaper and 3 year warranty without signing product up for lifetime.

**emosun** · 11-05-2009, 07:18 PM

Remember this easy phrase "Ultra is Ultra crap". If you have a 200$ budget the ocz 600w , or corsair 550 would be best.

igt · 11-05-2009, 07:23 PM

XFX GeForce 9600 GSO 768MB DDR2, PCI Express 2.0
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=P450-9616

XFX GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150397

What's the difference?
Also top card only sold at tigerdirect instead of newegg and bottom card only sold at newegg and not at tigerdirect.

**emosun** · 11-05-2009, 07:54 PM

The 768mb ddr2 version is much cheaper and slower then the 512mb ddr3 version. However I would just get the 9800.

igt · 11-05-2009, 08:03 PM

alright i will look at all 3 cards & the 550 and start measuring.
...Where can i look to see the size of the cards?

**emosun** · 11-05-2009, 11:41 PM

What case are you using. Also , for the 9800 you'll NEED that 600w or higher , the 550 will only be ok with the 9600.

igt · 11-06-2009, 06:05 AM

The stock case of my desktop computer.

igt · 11-06-2009, 06:10 AM

Okay using the help tool on nvidia site, i've figured out they are at least 9 inches.

guitarzann · 11-06-2009, 06:40 AM

I've got a 9600gt on my computer and it can run most games very well, most games I can run fairly high on my monitor (1280x1024). I would have to recommend it. It isn't much worse than the 9800gt , but it is way cheaper.

**emosun** · 11-06-2009, 08:13 AM

It's an ok card but games are getting much more complex and I would get the most speed you could out of your 200$ and just go for a 9800.

igt · 11-06-2009, 02:46 PM

I'm going with Emosun's recommendation to buy the OCZ 600 and 9800

OCZ ModXStream Pro Power Supply - 600-Watt
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4362114&CatId=1483
This It? Great Discount if it is!

11-04-2009, 06:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
igt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14 OS: vista 64 bit SP2	Upgrading I'm an avid gamer and looking to upgrade my video card but I don't know where to start. Current: NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 Here's my system specifications. http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01237538&cc=hk&lc=en&dlc=en&product=3946088 What cards should I be looking to buy that's compatible with my motherboard? I can't quite put my finger on the budget. Maybe under 200$?

11-04-2009, 09:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
igt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14 OS: vista 64 bit SP2	Re: Upgrading I'm thinking about getting a XFX GeForce 9600 GSO Video Card - 768MB DDR2, PCI Express 2.0, Dual Link DVI, SLI Ready. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4128445&Sku=P450-9616 1 problem I think will be the current power supply and I'm a bit shaky from the 2.0 thing at end of PCIE. Last edited by igt; 11-04-2009 at 09:26 PM.

11-05-2009, 01:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,223 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Upgrading I can tell you that a PCI-E 2.0 will work fine in a PCI 1.x slot. The only caveat is that not ALL nVidia cards will work well with PCI-E 1.x slots. Another very important factor is the power supply. Computers that use integrated graphics often have very low-end units that put out maybe 250w. That card needs at least a 450w unit and a quality one at that. Let us know what you're willing to spend and we can help with the rest. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

11-05-2009, 02:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
igt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14 OS: vista 64 bit SP2	Re: Upgrading CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 80 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003 ATX 530 Watt ATX Silent Quiet Power Supply http://www.atxcases.com/item.asp?id=7133&desc=atx-530-watt-atx&referid=162164 CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004 Is it worth getting or just a bust? $200 for everything, not much to work with =( Last edited by igt; 11-05-2009 at 02:38 PM.

11-05-2009, 02:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,706 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Upgrading The Corsair VX450W is an excellent PSU. Personally I would be happier with the 550W version, but if you can't foot the extra $15 the 450W will work. __________________ 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.

11-05-2009, 02:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
igt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14 OS: vista 64 bit SP2	Re: Upgrading Hehe Just added it to list then i see your recommendation. so the 550, Anything else I need to worry about?

11-05-2009, 03:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,706 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Upgrading The middle power supply in your list there, the ATX 530W looks like trash. With 24A on the +12V rail it's actually a 350W PSU, and insufficient to run your system. The Corsair VX450W has 32A on the +12V rail, and the VX550W has 41A. __________________ 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.

11-05-2009, 06:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,892 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Upgrading I say if your an avid gamer go with a 600w ocz and a 9800gt , just fits into 200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341017 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-518-_-Product __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

11-05-2009, 06:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,892 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Upgrading Also wouldn't bother with that specific 9600 as it's a ddr2 model and won't really be any faster then a 9500. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

11-05-2009, 07:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
igt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14 OS: vista 64 bit SP2	Re: Upgrading Ultra LSP650 650-Watt Power Supply http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3276573&CatId=1483 Any good? Cheaper and 3 year warranty without signing product up for lifetime.

11-05-2009, 07:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,892 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Upgrading Remember this easy phrase "Ultra is Ultra crap". If you have a 200$ budget the ocz 600w , or corsair 550 would be best. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

11-05-2009, 07:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
igt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14 OS: vista 64 bit SP2	Re: Upgrading XFX GeForce 9600 GSO 768MB DDR2, PCI Express 2.0 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=P450-9616 XFX GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150397 What's the difference? Also top card only sold at tigerdirect instead of newegg and bottom card only sold at newegg and not at tigerdirect. Last edited by igt; 11-05-2009 at 07:43 PM.

11-05-2009, 07:54 PM	#13 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,892 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Upgrading The 768mb ddr2 version is much cheaper and slower then the 512mb ddr3 version. However I would just get the 9800. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

11-05-2009, 08:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
igt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14 OS: vista 64 bit SP2	Re: Upgrading alright i will look at all 3 cards & the 550 and start measuring. ...Where can i look to see the size of the cards? Last edited by igt; 11-05-2009 at 08:25 PM.

11-05-2009, 11:41 PM	#15 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,892 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Upgrading What case are you using. Also , for the 9800 you'll NEED that 600w or higher , the 550 will only be ok with the 9600. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

11-06-2009, 06:05 AM	#16 (permalink)
igt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14 OS: vista 64 bit SP2	Re: Upgrading The stock case of my desktop computer.

11-06-2009, 06:10 AM	#17 (permalink)
igt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14 OS: vista 64 bit SP2	Re: Upgrading Okay using the help tool on nvidia site, i've figured out they are at least 9 inches.

11-06-2009, 06:40 AM	#18 (permalink)
guitarzann Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Warman SK Canada Posts: 25 OS: Windows 7 RC (64 Bit)	Re: Upgrading I've got a 9600gt on my computer and it can run most games very well, most games I can run fairly high on my monitor (1280x1024). I would have to recommend it. It isn't much worse than the 9800gt , but it is way cheaper.

11-06-2009, 08:13 AM	#19 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,892 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Upgrading It's an ok card but games are getting much more complex and I would get the most speed you could out of your 200$ and just go for a 9800. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

11-06-2009, 02:46 PM	#20 (permalink)
igt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 14 OS: vista 64 bit SP2	Re: Upgrading I'm going with Emosun's recommendation to buy the OCZ 600 and 9800 OCZ ModXStream Pro Power Supply - 600-Watt http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4362114&CatId=1483 This It? Great Discount if it is! Last edited by igt; 11-06-2009 at 02:47 PM.