What graphics card should I get ?

[TurkishDelight]

Hi recently I found a game that I would like to play on my pc but I can't as I don't have a graphics card at the moment.

 

The requirements for the game is that the graphics card has to have a minimum of 256MB, shader model 3.0 and also it recommends that I should have a 'AMD Radeon HD 5000 / 6000 series or equivalent DirectX 11 compatible graphics card'.

 

I have a dell inspiron 530 with only 1.00GB RAM but I'm going to be upgrading it to 3GB.

 

Any help will be much appreciated.

 

Thank you.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, just so you know you aren't being ignored, Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

I am no graphics or game expert more a sound and music guy. However I must let you know that the power supply may have to be changed and upgraded as well to match the power requirements of whatever card you eventually choose.

Please bear with us over the Christmas holiday period as most folk will be away, but once we have someone on line who knows more than me, they will give you the best advice for the card you need.

 

Nev.

[TurkishDelight]

Thank you for the advice.

 

But I don't think that I will have to upgrade or change my power supply unit because the graphics card I need is a low profile one at only £25.

 

I found two cards which I think is suitable. This is one http://www.ebuyer.com/201166-asus-hd-5450-silent-512mb-ddr2-dvi-hdmi-vga-out-pci-e-low-eah5450-silent-di-512md2-lp- and here's the other http://www.ebuyer.com/191533-xfx-hd-5450-512mb-ddr2-vga-dvi-hdmi-out-pci-e-graphics-card-hd-545x-ynh2.

 

Thank you.

[KenB]

Hi,

 

Both of those cards would do the job.

They both have 512MB on-board DDR2 memory.

 

For a few extra pounds take a look here:

click here

 

This card has 1GB DDR3 memory.

 

This will be noticeably better.

It does however require a 400Watt PSU.

You don't say what you have already - I suspect it may be only 300Watt.

[TurkishDelight]

Thank you.

 

But the RAM my pc would read is DDR2 so even if the graphics card is DDR3 would it still run ?

 

My graphics card is really bad is it came with the pc and I didn't ask for anything more at the time. It is 'Intel® G33/G31 Express Chipset Family.

 

Thanks a lot for that recommendation I'll probably get that one as it has double the RAM. But not sure whether or not I'll be able to run the DDR3 as my pc runs on DDR2.

[Plastic Nev]

OK, I am no expert, but judging by what little I know, the better of the two is the Radeon, however it does specify a minimum power requirement of 400Watts. That will be fine if your power supply is greater than 600Watts.

 

The Asus card, rather worryingly does not specify what power it needs, plus written reviews lower down the page are not promising for game playing.

However, I would hang on till someone more into games and the cards they need, is available to advise.

As I say, I am no expert on graphics stuff, sound is my area.

 

Nev.

 

Edit to add, ignore me, Ken is the man, he posted while I was still writing.

[KenB]

But the RAM my pc would read is DDR2 so even if the graphics card is DDR3 would it still run ?

Yes it would.

The DDR3 RAM on the Video Card is not related to the RAM on the motherboard.

They have their own individual controllers.

 

You do need a 400W PSU.

[TurkishDelight]

Okay thanks so I don't have to keep looking for DDR2.

 

Oh right thanks for the reminder. I just opened up my pc and found out that the max power was 300W so it looks like I can't get either of those cards. If either of you would know of any other other cards which has a minimum of 256MB, has shader model 3.0 and has DirectX 11 and doesn't need any more than 300W I would appreciate it a lot. Otherwise if there is none then I will probably have to upgrade to a more powerful PSU.

[Plastic Nev]

Although it is extra cost, the more sensible thing is to upgrade the power supply, go for a bit more than the 400 watts if you can afford it that way it will give more room for further expansion should you need it, also give a bit of leeway for age deterioration of the PSU too.

I doubt you will find any graphics card that will do what you want but draws less power.

 

Nev.

[TurkishDelight]

I think I will be upgrading my PSU but I can't seem to find out if my PSU is an ATX. The model is it just says under model 'DPS-300A b-24 A. Would you have any idea on this matter?

[TurkishDelight]

Thanks a lot guys you've helped me massively. I've decided that I'm going to upgrade my PSU to 500W and buy the graphics card that was suggested by 'KenB'.

 

Once again, thank you.

[KenB]

Let us know how you get on - and best of luck :)

 

Be careful with your choice of PSU.

Dell systems often use non-standard PSUs.

I have done a bit of reading and it seems that the Inspiron 530 uses a standard ATX PSU - but do check :)

[TurkishDelight]

Thank you I will let you know how it goes once I upgrade my PSU and buy a graphics card :)

 

Maybe I should start a new thread under PSU?

 

I have looked around and I can't seem to find a PSU with 400W or 450W with 3 sata cables. I'm guessing that it's sata cables as you can see from the first picture below. I also need it to have a 24 pin cables into the motherboard and a four pin (Picture 2). As you can see below in pictures 3 and 4 this is where my cables are pluged into. The third picture shows the wires plugged into the two optical drives with a connected cable in between.

 

Also I found out that most of the PSU's in the area of watts that I need have the fan on the side so I was wondering if the air flow will be sufficient enough in my pc (Picture 5).

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1331[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]1332[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]1333[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]1334[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]1335[/ATTACH]

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, you are correct it is SATA, the small square four pin plug should be quite common as also the twenty four pin main to motherboard and also the molex other connectors. Existing extra jumper cables should remain in place. Any fan on the power supply is for the power supply only and should not influence the case cooling, which I see a fan for on the case side any way.

Most modern power supplies at the wattages you are looking for, should have all the cables and plugs you need.

Hope that helps.

Nev.

[TurkishDelight]

Yes it did thank very much you cleared up a lot. Tomorrow morning I will be going out to buy a PSU and graphics card and I will let you know how it goes.

 

Thanks for the help everyone :)

 

Looks like you do learn something new everyday :D

[TurkishDelight]

Well I've looked around and I'm looking to get the graphics card recommended by KenB and also I found a PSU with the right amount of connectors. But the graphics card recommends 500W but above you mentioned that it's okay for me to use a 400W PSU.

 

Graphics Card 400W ATX PSU

 

So will I have to get a 500W PSU instead?

[KenB]

Hi,

 

I found a review for the card

click here

 

It suggests 400Watt but this is for the 512MB not the 1GB card.

 

I would always go for a higher spec PSU. To answer your question ......if you are getting the 1GB version you would be best advised to go for the 500Watt ( or better ) PSU.