Difficulties with getting a graphics card

A

amerakin desi

Guest
Continuing from older thread that still needs solving:

Hello, I am brand new to this computer graphics stuff, and I seem to be facing problem after problem. I have a P4 3.0 ghz computer, HP Media Center PC, 1 gb ddr ram, 250 gb hd, PCI-E port, and a built in Intel graphics card.
I was hoping to get a new graphics card to play HL2, Doom3, F.E.A.R. and etc. I was planning on getting the GeForce 6800 for 199$ on NewEgg, but then I found out that it requires a minimum 300 Watt power supply. My HP comes with only 250 Watts. I've spent hours and hours on doing research. My budget is 200$. I was wondering what the best card would be.
PCI-Express, 250 power supply, under 200$.
I am thinking-
ATI X700 Pro: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121523

ATI X800 Pro: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102589
(which says 300+ recommended Watts)

Or a GeForce 6600GT, or would the Geforce 6800 still work WELL although it requires 300 Watts?

I'm so stressed with all these differences

Thanks A Lot Guys,
-Amerakin Desi
 
I'm getting information that I should get the 6600 GT, but how is the X700 Pro? Which is better or, should I get something else different altogether?
 
Whatever it is, you need a MUCH better psu. Even 300 probably won't cut it.
 
Is there a sticker on the PSU which tells you how many Amps is on the +12V rail? It would say something like +12V=18A or something like that. If it says 16-17Amps or more you could probably do with a 6600GT fine (6600GT takes less power) but a X700 or 6800 would really need more power than a 250watt.
 
Haha, I feel really embarassed, what's a PSU? I can surely try checking that. Thanks a lot for the tips by the way.
 
PSU is the Power Supply Unit. It's the device that, on your HP, puts out 250 watts.
 
says +12V=14A, -12V+0.8A...these are two of the 5 similar things its says under DC OUTPUT:
 
I'm not totally sure about this, but you should make sure that your HP pc doesn't use a custom power supply like Dell pc's do, as you might have a job finding another one to replace it if its a custom design. Other than that, don't go for cheap powersupplys as it could be a very expensive mistake as you may damage your existing hardware if it fails because its cheap.

EDIT: Antec, seconded.
 
duffers20 said:
I'm not totally sure about this, but you should make sure that your HP pc doesn't use a custom power supply like Dell pc's do, as you might have a job finding another one to replace it if its a custom design. Other than that, don't go for cheap powersupplys as it could be a very expensive mistake as you may damage your existing hardware if it fails because its cheap.

EDIT: Antec, seconded.
Click to expand...

nooo hp doesnt use custom only dell and most likeley he has a matx case but i wouldnt be able to tell just seems like it with that low of wattage
 
It's a new HP computer. Do they use matx cases? Does that mean the Antec will work?
So I'm checking my power supply. The company is HIPRO? Its 14 Amps, very low.
 
amerakin desi said:
It's a new HP computer. Do they use matx cases? Does that mean the Antec will work?
So I'm checking my power supply. The company is HIPRO? Its 14 Amps, very low.
Click to expand...

well i have a compaq pc and as u know there the same company and i also have the hipro psu but mine is 300w 12+ 19amps its matx
 
giant384 said:
well i have a compaq pc and as u know there the same company and i also have the hipro psu but mine is 300w 12+ 19amps its matx
Click to expand...
so this antec would be a good choice?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103935

hmm the link isn't working...
well this is the product for 55$...Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-400 ATX12V 400W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, TUV, CB, FCC CLASS B, CUL - Retail
 
amerakin desi said:
how do i find out what i have?
Click to expand...

by how many pci slots(the white slots) you have if there are 3 its matx if its more than that than its atx
 
giant384 said:
by how many pci slots(the white slots) you have if there are 3 its matx if its more than that than its atx
Click to expand...

ive got 3
is that bad?
 
amerakin desi said:
ive got 3
is that bad?
Click to expand...

no it isnt bad unless your planning to use alot of pci cards just get a case that is compatible with atx and matx and u should be good to go
 
I only plan on getting 2 6800 geforces, i have room for 2 more, so im set right?
 
I think it would be a good idea for you to post what you plan on buying/ordering here before you go ahead and do so. That way we can advice you if its gonna work!
 
amerakin desi said:
I only plan on getting 2 6800 geforces, i have room for 2 more, so im set right?
Click to expand...

you cant do sli with 1 pci-e slot
 
duffers20 said:
I think it would be a good idea for you to post what you plan on buying/ordering here before you go ahead and do so. That way we can advice you if its gonna work!
Click to expand...
I've done it about 10 times already. Thanks for helping however. The things are:
ASPIRE ATX-AS520W BLUE ATX 520W Power Supply 115/230 V CB IEC 950/ TUV EN 60950/ UL 1950/ CSA 950 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817148002
-or-
Thermaltake Silent PurePower TT-420AD(DUAL FAN) ATX 420W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, CSA, TUV, CE - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153006

which is better?


and the video card is:
eVGA 256-P2-N383-TX Geforce 6800 256MB 256-bit DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130231


but my friend has been telling me to get the X800 gt???


giant384 said:
you cant do sli with 1 pci-e slot
Click to expand...
I have 3 slots, 1 is being used. That leaves room for 2.



And one more new question, what do you guys mean by get a "case" I'm just buying a power supply right? I'm not getting an entire computer case.
 
amerakin desi said:
I've done it about 10 times already. Thanks for helping however. The things are:
ASPIRE ATX-AS520W BLUE ATX 520W Power Supply 115/230 V CB IEC 950/ TUV EN 60950/ UL 1950/ CSA 950 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817148002
-or-
Thermaltake Silent PurePower TT-420AD(DUAL FAN) ATX 420W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, CSA, TUV, CE - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153006

which is better?


and the video card is:
eVGA 256-P2-N383-TX Geforce 6800 256MB 256-bit DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130231


but my friend has been telling me to get the X800 gt???



I have 3 slots, 1 is being used. That leaves room for 2.



And one more new question, what do you guys mean by get a "case" I'm just buying a power supply right? I'm not getting an entire computer case.
Click to expand...
u must have misunderstood pci is totally different from pci-e so most likeley u have a agp motherboard these are the colors of the slots
agp- most likeley brown
pci - white
pci-e - black
 
I know there is a BIG difference between PCI- and PCI-E. PCI sucks! Lemme Check...

****. Best Buy told me it was PCI-E. Freakin liars dammit. I just check my device manager. It's PCI...
and i even took pictures and put on my geocities...
Page with my computer pictures

on my device manager it says: under system devices:
Intel(R) 82801 FB/FBM PCI EXPRESS ROOT PORT - 2660
Intel(R) 82801 PCI Bridge - 244E

and at the bottom of SYSTEM DEVICES list:
PCI bus
 
Okay Guys, I Thank You All That Helped Me On This Case, I Have 250 Watt Power Supply, I Just Talked With My Customer Service, Best Buys Lied, I Have A PCI. I'll Just Stick With Buying The PlayStation 3. Thanks Once Again.
-amerakin desi
 
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