[Azure Delusion]

My computer has the stock out of the box 6200 64MB (turbocache), its fine for warcraft 3, but it can't play Guild Wars above the lowest settings. I'm asking for WoW for xmas. (and the 60 card) and know that iI'll need a better gpu than what i have. My friend recommended me to use ATi Radeon X1800GTO. But my psu unit is only 400w. For games like WoW (would like to run at highest settings if possible) Silkroad Online (i can't run it on lowest at all times right now) Guild Wars, is that card fine? Sorry for the disorganization of the post, but it's getting kinda late here and I have school tomorrow. Thanks in advance for the help. Links to the cards I'm looking at:
Radeon X18GTO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814142067
Radeon X850Pro:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814241022

The only component list of the stuff on my PC (tho i got mine from best buy over the summer since my parents said that i should wait and finish my pc service and repair class, and try and get A+ cert before i build my own comp) and some of the parts are different, like mine came with 2Gigs ram
http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/1008880/1008880cl2.shtml

any other recommendations for cards are welcome, I'd like to keep the cost as low as possible, and not go for anything too big, (more than 256 card), my teacher said that that would be good enough to last me until i wanna drop in a direct x 10 card (which i will not be doing till the prices drop, saving for my first car as well xP)

 

[blackduck30]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814125045

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150202

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150195

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814125038

They are far better cards in my opinion and are only between 40 and 60 odd dollars more, the 7900gs has 20 pixel pipelines and the GT 24

 

[Azure Delusion]

For all of those cards, I would need to up my psu wouldn't I? What should I go for that route? I haven't been inside my computer yet, but it looks like an atx case, but on the front it says BTX System Design. I'm gonna wait till the end of this semester (during xmas break) before I open my case to see the stuff inside, and until I get a wrist strap or something so I don't wreak havoc on my pc

 

[blackduck30]

with only a 400w I would get a good 550W+ unit anyway if you are going to get any decent card, if you are going to get a DX10 compatable card I would even go higher than 550 and in any case i would look to a decent brand and stay away from generic units.
A wrist strap is not essential as long as you earth ( ground ) yourself before touching anything inside your case to dicharge yourself

 

[Azure Delusion]

Thank you, so I've never been inside my computer since I've set it up. Just peel back the tap on the back, take off the side, and hold the metal part of the case? My computer is in my room, carpet floor, wooden desk, that should be sufficient grounding right? I want to look inside and make sure that the cables are properly tied out the way of the way, and dust it out. I need to get a can of compressed air to clean it out right? What exactly is a btx vs an atx? Should I take pictures of the inside of my computer to clarify the right power supply needed? And of the cards you suggested, for only having 1 x16 line, which would you recommend above the rest? Also if the most graphic intense game I will be playing is WoW, the WoW expansion, and possibly vangaurd saga of heros, which card would run those best for the best value?

 

[TheMatt]

Look at these two cards:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150209
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130033
Both will run the games you said fine.

I would be looking at this PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817711002
BTX motherboards have the CPU more at the bottom rather than up at the top of the case toward the PSU.

BTW, you have to touch something metal to discharge static.

 

[blackduck30]

yes generally there are some screw at the back of your case but the side fixing does vary but is usually easy to work out. I usually just ground my self by touching my case before I unplug it from the wall. Checking out your cable routs is always a good idea to see if it inhibits air flow or not. A good dust out with a can of compressed air is always a good thing as this will help to reduce heat as the dust seems to raise temps.

if i was going to buy a new video card i would look at the 7900GS if you want to save a few dollars but if you can afford it get the GT, these card will see you through for some time.

I would actually look at this power supply as it is good value for money at the moment and will be more than enough power too see you through and is also a good quality unit ( as is the OCZ suggested above but for the money i would get the 650W )

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817163108

 

[Azure Delusion]

Thanks again guys, my PC service and repair class teacher said that I should go for the 7600GT or a card around $100 for those games, and to wait for a DirectX10 to price drop next year. Would it still need a more powerful than 400W psu? Also, how can I find out the temperature of my computer? If it would be better to get a 7900GS/GT and PSU then I'll see into that, but if the 7600GT doesn't need a new psu and could last me for WoW and Vangaurd, I might go for it:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130062
Also the GT link you posted says "min req psu 400W" i wouldn't need a new one with that card would I?

 

[Azure Delusion]

I was talking to my friend, and he said that the 7900GS would be best for price/performance ratio. He also said that since the minimum requirement for the 7900GS is 400w psu, and my psu is 400w, that it meant under a heavy load, so he said that as long as I'm not doing other games, watching dvd, or using all of my firewire/usb ports while playing wow, that i should be in the clear. Is that right?

 

[blackduck30]

no , this is not a good thing to asume, For one I am assuming your power supply will be a generic one and if that is the case you will not be putting out 400W, also I am pretty sure you will need more amps. Can you open your case and take down the power supply details and we will be able to give you a better idea, I am confident your power supply will be your weakest link.

Please take the time to read this article our team put together and I'm sure you will come to the same conclusion
http://www.techsupportforum.com/f70/outdated-power-supply-information-and-selection-107466.html

 

[Azure Delusion]

Ok will do, thanks. I'm about to head out for school so I'll check it when I get home.

 

[Azure Delusion]

Bestec
Model: ATX-400GW rev:J1
Input:100-127~10A 200v-5A 50-60Hz
Output +12v1
400W Max

thats what it said on the side of the psu, also, would a computer from gateway have masking tap inside the computer? Was my first time inside it, and it has a big heatsink and green cover that takes up a nice bit of space in the front of the computer, but there is masking tape on the green cover with the fan in the front with the cpu and heatsink. Also, i thought it said i had 2 GB of DD2 Dual channel ram, like as in 2 sticks, but there were 4 sticks in it, so i guess it is 4 512MB sticks in it. the wires seem tied togethor, and outof the way, but not too neatly. The inside wasn't really dusty at all, but i couldn't get the bottom screw into the case again, so i put it with my winxp startup disk.

 

[blackduck30]

Well i did a bit of googling on the Bestec and not a lot poped up so i will put my neck on the line and say I am confident it will not serve your needs. Considering you have a pentium D and a few other things in your box I am actually surprised it does the job now. I would honestly look at that silverstone unit ( 650W for $109 ), It will give you a bit of head room and is a good quality unit. if you don't like that the power supply article will give you a good heads up on the good quality units and what to look aout for. I am pretty sure that if you stick any video card in your system it will throw your power supply over the edge.

Not really familiar with the internals of the gateway computers as we don't have them around were i am in Australia so can not really comment .

The 4 sticks of ram is fine.

good news that your case is nice and clean inside

 

[Azure Delusion]

Thanks, I'll look into that psu you suggested. All of your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Azure Delusion]

My Computer:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2466413&Tab=2&NoMapp=0
Will the Silverstone psu you suggested work in this? I can't find were it says the deminsions for the powersupply, while a review in for the psu said it was bigger than standard atx systems.
~Thanks (in class >_<)

 

[TheMatt]

That silverstone PSU will work fine. It is a good value, that is my pick.