Upgrading my Graphics Card

[bigbrodza]

Hey guys, I was just wondering which advanced graphics card would be compatible with my computer:

 

HP Black Pavilion p6533w-b Desktop PC with AMD Athlon II 250 Processor, 21.5" Widescreen LCD Monitor & Windows 7 Home Premium

 

 

Additional Specifications:

Processor Type: AMD Athlon II 250

Hard Drive Size: 640GB

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (upgraded to Ultimate)

 

Processor

Type: AMD Athlon II X2 250 / 3 GHz

Multi-Core Technology: Dual-Core

 

RAM

Installed Size: 5 GB / 16 GB (max)

Technology: DDR3 SDRAM - non-ECC

 

Storage

Hard Drive: 1 x 640 GB - standard - Serial ATA-300 - 7200 rpm

 

Graphics Controller

Type: Integrated

Graphics Processor / Vendor: ATI Radeon 3000

Digital Video Standard: Digital Visual Interface (DVI)

 

Thanks in advance for your help! :D

[KenB]

I see you have a sense of humour.

 

For anybody reading this ALT + F4 will close down your browser. It is an immature "trick" used on gaming forums.

It is also very annoying.

 

I will answer your question when the avatar has gone.

[RandyL]

I agree. Thanks Ken.

[Starbuck]

I have temporary substituted the Avatar for the Profile picture.

This will save other members falling for the 'trick'.

It's up to bigbrodza to change this to something else if required.

[bigbrodza]

I'm truly sorry for this improper avatar. I didn't mean to give anybody a hard time. The worst part about it is that I fell for this trick when I was looking for avatars for this forum, closing my browser in the process. It's a good thing I have my browser settings set to reopen the tabs that recently closed.

 

Again, I am sorry. I will change it right away.

[RandyL]

Thank you very much. Carry on.

[KenB]

Hi,

 

Thanks for changing your avatar - it would have been annoying to other members.

 

Your system specs are here:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02155398&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

 

Your motherboard has one PCIe x16 slot.

What the specs don't say is - if the PCIe x16 is PCIe 1.1 / 2.0 / 2.1

 

If I have the correct system ....

It gives the production date as 28 April 2010 - which should have PCIe 2.1 architecture.

 

Motherboard specs here:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c02458055

 

How old is your machine?

Edited July 19, 2011 by KenB

[bigbrodza]

My machine is less than a year old. I believe I bought it at the end of August last year.

 

Thanks.

[KenB]

OK.

 

Just because the machine was bought August last year it doesn't mean that the m/board is that recent.

I still cannot discover if the PCIe architecture is 2.0 or 2.1 - but no matter.

 

Your m/board will support Video Cards with either 2.0 or 2.1 architecture as 2.1 is backwards compatible with earlier versions.

 

It really depends on how much you want to spend on a card.

Take a look here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2964.html

 

Be aware:

Your PSU only shows as being 250Watt in the specs.

If you are upgrading the card - you will no doubt have to upgrade the PSU too.

This will depend on your choice of card.

 

Also:

Many Video Cards require their own power connection.

Check this out and ensure that the PSU has a spare connection ( most do ).

 

EDIT:

I have just read the specs of your m/board again.

It is a Micro ATX - which is a compact m/board.

 

You may have difficulty with larger cards.

Edited July 20, 2011 by KenB