Hel-lo Sonic Retro, I want a new graphics card and I'm a complete noob when it comes to upgrading my PC so I kinda help here. I took a Windows Experience Index test which gave me a score a 2.9 out of 7.9 in the Graphics category. Basically what it meant was that "A computer with a base score of 3.0 can run Aero and many features of Windows 7 at a basic level. Some of the Windows 7 advanced features might not have all of their functionality available. For example, a computer with a base score of 3.0 can display the Windows 7 theme at a resolution of 1280 × 1024, but might struggle to run the theme on multiple monitors. Or, it can play digital TV content but might struggle to play high-definition television (HDTV)content." What I have now can't even fully run Aero, apparently. =/ From what I read is that while I have 2GB of RAM, it shares 639 MB for graphic processing. So if I'm right, everything in my PC will slow as it shares RAM, so to remedy this, a graphics card will be needed to handle the graphics on my PC. I've also learned that purchasing and utilizing a decent graphics card will also seriously improve video playback, recording, capturing, production, and rendering, which would be fuckin' awesome, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/KeijiDragon" target="_blank">especially for what I do</a>. I always have to deal with the slowness of processing video and previewing whenever I <a href="http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/5074/shatcannedlegendsm3prog.jpg" target="_blank">put together images, text, and video pieces</a> for my documentary or other projects, for example. I've also read that basically if RAM is shared for video, it's likely that the graphics card is integrated, meaning it can't be upgraded. However, there seems to be a particular slot in the inside of my PC. Photos: <a href="http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/848/p6180220halfsize.jpg/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/109/p6180221halfsize.jpg/" target="_blank"></a> I also notice that there are certain cards that contain a HDMI slot, and/or a S-Video slot. Are those where you can insert those cables to record from or output to? Do those features matter in a graphics card? I was thinking that I could use the S-Video slot to plug in and record from old game consoles like Saturn or SNES. I've seen <a href="http://www.nvidia.com/object/buy_now_results_ci.html?id=GFGT520" target="_blank">these ones</a> go for what seems to be decent prices. Considering the benefits I would get from (upgrading) a graphics card, I've decided to pursue buying one. But am I misguided here? Correct me if I am. If I can get anyone's suggestions and ideas on what graphics cards I should invest in, it would be welcome. I am in a budget, so the most I'm willing to spend for is $50-$100 USD. For reference, here are my PC specs: <!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->------------------ System Information ------------------ Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 Language: English (Regional Setting: English) System Manufacturer: Compaq-Presario Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz Memory: 2048MB RAM Available OS Memory: 1792MB RAM Page File: 1420MB used, 2162MB available DirectX Version: DirectX 11 DX Setup Parameters: Not found User DPI Setting: Using System DPI System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent) DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> And here's what graphics card I have, which happens to be "ATI RADEON XPRESS 1100 Series." <!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->--------------- Display Devices --------------- Card name: ATI RADEON XPRESS 1100 Series Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc. Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x5A61) DAC type: Internal DAC (400MHz) Display Memory: 895 MB Dedicated Memory: 255 MB Shared Memory: 639 MB Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (75Hz) Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor Monitor Model: 1821A Monitor Id: NON0000 Native Mode: 1280 x 1024(p) (75.025Hz) Output Type: HD15 Driver File Version: 7.14.0010.0503 (English) Driver Version: 8.383.0.0 DDI Version: 9Ex Driver Model: WDDM 1.0 Driver Attributes: Final Retail Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C DXVA-HD: Not Supported DDraw Status: Enabled D3D Status: Enabled AGP Status: Enabled<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Visuals? No problem! Here's what me and another fine gentleman, djohe|AFK went over. EDIT: I understand that power is an issue so enjoy this photo of my Power Box:
You need to upgrade your ATX power supply to at least a 450W capacity module if you want to be able to install a reasonably good graphics card, <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182199" target="_blank">like this power supply</a>. <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150537" target="_blank">This graphics card</a> should give you the performance you need without going over your budget. If you can afford spending a few dollars more, I'd recommend <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102875" target="_blank">this graphics card</a>.
That 300W will indeed be too little for a good GFX card but sufficient for some cheapo thing that requires no additional power connections.
Extreme low-end cards like those Radeon 5570s posted above would work fine with that power supply, provided the values on that sticker hold up. Heck, I think even a midrange card like a 5670 or 6670 could work fine, provided that there's still enough amperage left on the 12v rail.
If you're willing to spend a little more than what your budget requires, go for this: <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121390" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814121390</a> or <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500202" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814500202</a> instead. If you get either of these you will definitely need to get a new power supply, so I'm not sure if it may end up being too expensive for you. They will also probably be bottlenecked by your processor. Otherwise, try to find a cheap Radeon 5770. Also, <!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I also notice that there are certain cards that contain a HDMI slot, and/or a S-Video slot. Are those where you can insert those cables to record from or output to? Do those features matter in a graphics card? I was thinking that I could use the S-Video slot to plug in and record from old game consoles like Saturn or SNES. I've seen these ones go for what seems to be decent prices.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> They are all outputs. If you want to record anything, you need a TV tuner/video capture card.
<!--quoteo(post=596996:date=Jun 19 2011, 07:21 PM:name=Conan Kudo)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Conan Kudo @ Jun 19 2011, 07:21 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=596996"></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182199" target="_blank">like this power supply</a>.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> I've read terrible things about that PSU. Just reading the feedback makes me leery of that particular model.
<!--quoteo(post=598747:date=Jun 23 2011, 10:27 PM:name=OKei)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (OKei @ Jun 23 2011, 10:27 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=598747"></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=596996:date=Jun 19 2011, 07:21 PM:name=Conan Kudo)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Conan Kudo @ Jun 19 2011, 07:21 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=596996"></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182199" target="_blank">like this power supply</a>.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> I've read terrible things about that PSU. Just reading the feedback makes me leery of that particular model. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Then perhaps <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171046" target="_blank">this one by Cooler Master</a>?
Gah, that power supply is even worse. Here's something decent, but may cost too much on your budget: <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817371016</a> or <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817207013</a>
I have recently built a modest PC and I used <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121397&cm_re=engt_430-_-14-121-397-_-Product" target="_blank">this graphics card</a>. It's compact, so great if you have a small case and it's of a good build quality. The only downside I would say, is that it requires a PSU of atleast 450w.
Just giving you a heads up, never ever skimp on the power supply. It is the most important part of the PC and an el cheapo power supply can cause all sorts problems down the road. Personally I tend to lean towards Corsair PSUs since even their low end stuff is very high quality.
Hey, I just got my graphics card. It's an XFX Radeon HD 5670 PCI Express 1GB GDDR5 Graphics Card. I'm having problems with it now. I turned my PC off, installed the card, turned the PC on, inserted my PC VGA monitor with a DVI M to VGA F Adapter on the card, no picture. =/ The card and the adapter is secured when installed. Unless, I really need to screw it in. (The card does not seem to have a sort of power molex cables on it to be installed onto the MB.) I opened up task manager, my display adapter is shown (I do not have a card installed in this pic): What can I do? EDIT: Even more info added.
