I'm looking for a graphics card for my games, but I don't know where to begin. Help?

**xMelda** · January 26th, 2010, 05:50 AM

I have an HP Pavilion desktop. Not too long ago I become interested in the gaming community when I stumbled across a copy of Left 4 Dead. Now I enjoy playing games such the Left 4 Dead games, Modern Warfare 2, Half Life, Team Fortress 2, Sims 3, etc.

I've been running these games on crappy graphics that look sharp around the edges and on low settings, but I've never seemed to mind it because I was just playing for fun and not for the look of it. But now that I know playing games isn't some phase of mine and that buying a graphics card wouldn't be a waste of my money, I'm positive I would like to upgrade my card. My problem is that I am not computer savvy at all. I have no idea where to begin or what cards to even look at and consider.

And no idea who to ask for advice so I've been asking around on the internet in places I hope to be reliable sources.

Here is some informtation on my computer if this helps:

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.090803-2339)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP-Pavilion
System Model: KZ664AA-ABA a6567c
BIOS: BIOS Date: 02/23/09 14:47:06 Ver: 5.37
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 4094MB RAM
Page File: 4373MB used, 4018MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 7.00.6002.18107 32bit Unicode

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 9300 GE
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 9300 GE
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06E0&SUBSYS_90041B…
Display Memory: 2032 MB
Dedicated Memory: 241 MB
Shared Memory: 1791 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1200 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: HP w2408 Wide LCD Monitor

I'm not quite sure if you need any more information than that to help me figure out what card would be best but if you do I could always supply more information if it will help you out.

I've been told that my graphics card is probably the weakest part of my computer. I have a 24 inch widescreen monitor with 19200 x 1200 resolution, so I've also been told that it will be hard for me to find a card because I need a powerful one with 1GB.

I've been recommended the following cards so far: ATI Radeon HD 4870, 4890 or a 5770 (although some have told me to stay away from the 5770 and 5750) or a 5850. As far as NVIDIA goes, I've been recommended to get the GTX cards such as 9800gtx, 260gtx or 280gtx. Of course this is all jibberish to me. So any input on these cards for my computer would be very helpful.

Also I'm guessing I'm going to need to purchase a power supply as well, as everyone keeps mentioning them to me, so input in this area would be very helpful for me as well.

Thanks everyone in advance

I'm sorry this is so long but this whole graphics card scenario confuses me. I don't want to end up with one that works like crap on my computer.

**pullmyfoot** · January 26th, 2010, 09:02 AM

I would get the 5770, if your PSU can support it. What brand and wattage is your PSU? Open up the case to find out.

**KarmaKiller** · January 26th, 2010, 09:34 AM

First off, Hi and welcome to TechIMO.
According to google your PC runs a G33 Chipset with a PCIe 16x expansion slot. So you can upgrade to just about any GPU. Now like others have said, you have to make sure your power supply can support it. So we need the info off that. Open the side of the tower and there will be a sticker on the box that the cord from the wall plugs into. We need to know the total wattage/brand if you can find one/ and how many amps are on the 12v+rail.
More then likely your PSU is stock, and you'll have to upgrade it though. So what's your budget?

**xMelda** · January 26th, 2010, 09:41 AM

I believe that this computer may only have 300watts sadly. I've been planning on purchasing a new power supply along with the graphics card since it's so low and I don't want to fry the computer. I think I'm willing to spend somewhere around 100$ on each, if not a little more if I have to. So in total around 200-300$ to blow on this.

I've been taking a look at this power supply:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies

And have been thinking I may buy it, if it's good and if my computer allows it? It seems to please peoples needs.

**KarmaKiller** · January 26th, 2010, 10:15 AM

That really is a great PSU, but totally overkill for what your doing. I suppose it wouldn't hurt anything, but you could definitely save some money and not sacrifice quality.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies
Newegg.com - Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "Compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply - Power Supplies
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE SUPERB GE-P450P-C2 550W ATX12V V2.3 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies
Newegg.com - Rosewill Green Series RG630-S12 630W Continuous @40°C,80 PLUS Certified, Single 12V Rail, Active PFC "Compatible with Core i7,i5" Power Supply - Power Supplies

Any of those PSU's would work fine, and be plenty of power.
For a GPU, I'd suggest something like:
Newegg.com - Palit NE3TS25EFHD02 GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100258-1GHDMI Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
Newegg.com - XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Those will handle the games you mentioned fine.

**pullmyfoot** · January 26th, 2010, 12:18 PM

yup

**thephilosophizer** · January 26th, 2010, 12:58 PM

Other thing to consider, the 5770 has directx 11 support, not that it will make a huge difference, but it might help as newer games come out.

**xMelda** · January 26th, 2010, 03:44 PM

Okay so I'm looking into getting the 5770 card now since it has been recommended so much by different people. I took a look at other power supplies you listed for me, but I found this one along the way from Corsair (who I've noticed people are very fond of)

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies

And was wondering if that one would be okay to use instead? What happens if somewhere down the road I decide to purchase a second card to use? Would I have to update the power supply to the 770w?

**Aaron_8015** · January 26th, 2010, 04:09 PM

Well if you wanted a second 5770 for xfire you would need a new motherboard, with another PCI-E slot (not to mention its an nvidia chipset so thats out of the question anyways). Also a 600-650W unit will be enough to run two of those cards.

**pullmyfoot** · January 27th, 2010, 07:18 AM

I would just get the 400W one KK suggested to save money because honestly you dont need anything more, but yes I dont see why you cant get that 550W one. Leaves you some space to upgrade in the future.. too..

**xMelda** · January 27th, 2010, 12:36 PM

Okay so I slept on all of this. I don't want to purchase a card and end up feeling like I should have got something else and then end up upgrading to a new card and spending even more money than I should have.

So say that I am willing to spend more money on this whole thing right now and I buy the 5850 instead of the 5770, what PSU do you recommend I get? Can I get away with using the 550w that I posted? Or do I need to get one with more watts?

**ShyguyXPC** · January 27th, 2010, 12:51 PM

the 550W you listed will be MORE than enough to power a single 5850.

it has 41 Amps of power on the +12V line.

should be enough power for a 5870 to be honest.

**xMelda** · January 27th, 2010, 02:06 PM

Okay thanks

And my computer can handle me getting the 5850 right? It'll work?
just making sure..gonna try making a purchase some time this week.

**ShyguyXPC** · January 27th, 2010, 03:28 PM

just make sure you have 2 slots of space, card only needs one slot to fit in, but its 2 slots wide, and make sure you have enough length or depth in the case to fit it, since it is well over 9 inches in length.

Radeon HD 5870 vs 5850 Length Specs Comparsion - Linus Tech Tips Blog

**pullmyfoot** · January 28th, 2010, 04:41 AM

your computer can handle it, but honestly you are goning to be limited by your CPU so your graphics card will not perform to its potential (I am talking about the 5850). However its not significant enough that I dont recommend you getting it. Just so you know.

**xMelda** · January 28th, 2010, 09:17 AM

Okay, cool. I was planning on upgrading my CPU in the future some time, but I'm not sure how soon. So what PCU would you recommend for me? just so I can get a head start looking into some.

**pullmyfoot** · January 28th, 2010, 10:32 AM

If you are going to do that, here is what I suggest. Get the 5850 and the 550W Cossair and save up a thousand. Then buy a new i5 system and rip out the PSU and graphics card from your current one and put it in there.