8 replies to this topic

[dBoy Wild Koala]

Hey guys. I am in the process of updating my computer. It is from 2007 and is still kicking strong . Besides having a bad case and faulty DDR2 RAM, which is being fixed right now . However, I started to wonder if I would actually be able to get a new graphics card. How do I determine what graphics card I can, and cannot use in this computer? Would getting rid of Vista also help?

I was looking at purchasing

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121446

Any help would be appreciated as I am not SUPER computer savvy.

---What I currently have---
CPU- AMD Phenom 9150e Quad-Core Processor 1.8GHz

GPU- GTX+ 9800 SE

Power Supply- 550W

[Barbaric Soul]

You shouldn't have a problem running that card on your system, as long as your PSU has the required two 6 pin PCI connections. Look at the wires coming from your PSU. Do you have two connections that look like either of these?

Edited by Barbaric Soul, 22 July 2012 - 06:11 AM.

[Barbaric Soul]

Also, keep in mind, while you do have a quad core, it's one of the slowest quads produced(no offense intended). I would not suggest trying to run any faster of a video card than the GTX560 because of probable bottlenecking. If you don't know what bottlenecking is, it's when one conponent of a computer is slower than the rest, causing the whole system to be slow.

[dBoy Wild Koala]

None taken. The PSU is just the mother board right? I have two PCI express slots on my mother board. This computer is from 2007 and is still able to run most games on the highest quality. For me to get the new computer I want to build it would cost me about 700$. However, at the present time I do not have that much free cash to go blow on a new computer. So I figure, if I get a new computer case to get rid of my heat problem, get nice DDR2 ram, upgrade to Windows 7, I should be fine for awhile. Also that graphics card I linked would be part of the new computer I want to build, so I could just swap it over when I get enough money for the new CPU and mother board etc. So I am hoping that for about 400$ at the max I should be able to keep on rolling Thank you for the information.

How do you tell if a card can work or not based on the power supply and CPU?

[Hellgardia]

What are your exact specs?

If you want a general upgrade, using your case, HDD and ODD:

PSU: Rosewill HIVE Series HIVE-550 550W - 69.99$
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 - 124.99$
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz - 224.99$
RAM: GeIL Enhance CORSA 8GB (2 x 4GB) - 43.99$
GPU: MSI R7870 Twin Frozr 2GD5/OC - 269.99$

Cheers

[Barbaric Soul]

dBoy Wild Koala, on 22 July 2012 - 06:36 AM, said:

None taken. The PSU is just the mother board right? I have two PCI express slots on my mother board. This computer is from 2007 and is still able to run most games on the highest quality. For me to get the new computer I want to build it would cost me about 700$. However, at the present time I do not have that much free cash to go blow on a new computer. So I figure, if I get a new computer case to get rid of my heat problem, get nice DDR2 ram, upgrade to Windows 7, I should be fine for awhile. Also that graphics card I linked would be part of the new computer I want to build, so I could just swap it over when I get enough money for the new CPU and mother board etc. So I am hoping that for about 400$ at the max I should be able to keep on rolling Thank you for the information.

How do you tell if a card can work or not based on the power supply and CPU?

PSU= power supply unit

Edited by Barbaric Soul, 22 July 2012 - 07:05 AM.

[Gremlich Johns]

Look on EVGA's b-stock site for other stuff.

Good time now to mod your case, cut some holes for some new fans. direct your airflow better.

Edited by Gremlich Johns, 22 July 2012 - 07:44 AM.

[Lightdragon]

dremel rotary tools are our best friend for case modding hehe

[dBoy Wild Koala]

Haha. The case I am getting right now is http://www.newegg.co...82E16811119197. I am going to switch out the RAM, and then move my current comp into the new case. Hopefully the rebate can hurry up so I can get windows 7 .

The computer I want to build is:

CPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115076

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.co...Extreme3%20Gen3

The case I just purchased.

GPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814121446

PSU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817703036 **I dont know if my current 550W could handle the new CPU and stuff so I figure just to get the new one, if it would work with the PSU I have now, then I wouldnt get the new one **