AboutBobbert Expertise I have been into computer hardware, especially 3D graphics and the hardware that drives them, for a number of years. I have knowledge in installation, use, troubleshooting, purchase suggestions and overclocking.
I got this HP Pavilion A6554f desktop PC. It's really nice for such a reasonable price. 5GB RAM and the likes, but the problem is this: The Video Card sucked hard. It has a video card Integrated with an Intel Chipset ( Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 ). And yeah the Power Supply sucked aswell with only 300Watts.
Now I want to upgrade this one with a new video card: An NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GX2. I know I would have to change my Power supply for this, but I just don't know If I'm allowed to change my video card since it's integrated in the motherboard. It says though that I still got 1 PCI x16 Express Slot, which is needed for my preferred video card.
I'm hella confused. I really need help. Thank you!
ANSWER: If you've got a physical PCIe x16 slot, a PCIe x16 graphics adapter will work as an upgrade. A replacement power supply would not be a bad idea, but I have to ask, why the preference towards the quite dated GX2? I would suggest something far more power efficient like a Radeon HD 4830, or perhaps something even "less" powerful, depending on your monitor and target application (i.e: what games are you wanting to play?).
-bob
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QUESTION: Hahaha! Well I was reading in the NVIDIA website about it and some reviews. I dunno even why I chose that, but since it's like an "extreme gamer's" graphics card I chose it. If there's a card that's power efficient alongside with extreme gaming graphics for Crysis Warhead and the likes...Please do tell me before I spend for cards that are...well. WAHAHAHA!!
Thanks Bob!
ANSWER: The GeForce 9800GX2 is quite dated, and its performance is quite lacking, relative to power usage, compare to modern solutions such as the GeForce GTX 260 or Radeon HD 4870. Assuming you aren't driving a monster of a monitor, I would suggest the Radeon HD 4870 or GeForce 9800GTX+ or GTX 250/260 along with a power supply upgrade to something reasonable from Seasonic, Antec, PC Power & Cooling, or Thermaltake.
-bob
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QUESTION: I'm only using a 20 inch monitor from HP. I think your suggestion of GeForce 9800GTX+ would be kewl, but out of those 3 you mentioned, from Radeon, GTX250/260 and the 9800GTX+, which do you believe would be great? I'm sorry I sound a little persistent, I really wanted to change my vid card.
My specs:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
5GB RAM
Windows Vista 64-bit Home Edition
And yeap, I need a change of power supply. It only supplies 300watts and it sucked. :P
Your monitor is likely 1680x1050, 1280x1024, or 1600x1200, so if it runs at 1920x1200, it will run on your monitor.
GeForce GTX 260 seems to be the best bet of that flock, as its "playable" on 1920x1200 (with a bit of tweaking, you'd probably never notice its struggle), so it should be quite happy with your monitor.
