Advice needed for graphics upgrade

[arrows7]

Hello,

 

I bought a new desktop about six months ago and I've decided I'd like to upgrade the graphics. I'm new to this, so I'm struggling with knowing which cards my pc can support. Specs are as follows:

 

Lenovo PC

Intel Core i3-2120 3.30 Ghz

8.00 Gb Ram

64 Bit

Windows 7 Home

Intel HD Graphics Family

 

I'd like to add a graphics card, although I don't want something too high spec. Could I get a new card without upgrading the processor or power supply? You can probably tell that I don't entirely know what I'm talking about! This is the card I have my eye on: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-Nvidia-GeForce-Graphics-Express/dp/B0087YADCG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=OGG172QZ6AVF&coliid=I23T8WDU76GB21

 

I'd be really grateful for some advice, thanks

[Vr5fx]

Hiya, and welcome to ExTS.

 

Firstly, could you download Speccy found here http://www.piriform.com/speccy

 

Speccy will tell us your system information, like what you have included but it will also tell us what type and make of Motherboard you have, hopefully! Please copy and paste the "Summary"

 

Secondly, could you tell us what power supply you currently have, and the watts, if you are not sure you can take the side of the PC case off and check the side of the power supply.

 

Regards

-Vr

[arrows7]

Thanks for the quick response.

 

My specs are: Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1

CPU

Intel Core i3 2120 @ 3.30GHz 43 °C

Sandy Bridge 32nm Technology

RAM

8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 940MHz (9-9-9-24)

Motherboard

LENOVO To be filled by O.E.M. (CPU 1) 20 °C

Graphics

SMS22A100 (1920x1080@60Hz)

Intel HD Graphics Family

Hard Drives

932GB Seagate ST31000524AS ATA Device (SATA) 32 °C

Optical Drives

TSSTcorp DVD-RW SH-216AB ATA Device

Audio

Realtek High Definition Audio

 

I'm not sure what the relevant numbers are from the power supply, but these were written on the side of it:

 

Output Watt 180W+5.08V&+3.3V: 80W+5.08v&+3.3V&+12V: Combined output not exceed 170W

 

Thanks again, I hope that helps

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

From what I can find - this card requires a minimum of 350 Watt PSU.

I can't tell from your last post what size PSU you have in your system.

 

You need to be aware that it is a wide card and will take up 2 slots ( this is not uncommon )

I can't look up your motherboard details as Speccy could not produce them.

 

If you post your Lenovo model number we may be able to get some more information for you.

 

Your processor will not need to be changed.

[arrows7]

The model is Lenovo H330/5 I3

 

Thanks

[KenB]

Hi.

 

H330 I can find but there are different models.

/5 i3 gives nothing.

 

model number = 77801PU is one option

click here

 

BUT - this one only has 4GB RAM .....you have 8GB

 

Can you find something like 77801PU on your machine.

 

It is a small form factor motherboard and there may be a problem with space inside the case.

[arrows7]

I think the model number is 7781

 

Thanks

[KenB]

Thanks for that - I am, however, finding it difficult to find any specific information related to that model.

 

I did find this ( general info )

click here

 

I found one reference to a 180 Watt PSU - but we cannot assume this.

 

If you take the side panel off you may be able to see a label on the unit itself that tells you.

Any information off the PSU would help :)

[arrows7]

This is the information I could find on the PSU:

 

Model HK280-86FP

AC input 200-240V-50/60Hz, 3A

Output Watt 180W+5.08V&+3.3V=80W

+5.08V&+3.3V&+12V: Combined output not exceed 170W

 

I'm not particularly fixed on the card that I linked to. I'm just looking for a reasonably priced card (cheaper than that one, ideally) that will fit in my pc and improve performance.

 

Thanks again for the help, I appreciate you taking the time.

[KenB]

Output Watt 180W

This seems to confirm the 180 Watt that I found on a forum.

 

This is not enough to run a decent Video Card.

 

Is this what your PSU looks like?

 

click here

 

If it is - it is not designed to be upgraded.

I doubt that you would find a suitable 400Watt replacement so that you could run a decent Video Card

[arrows7]

That's a bit frustrating.

 

Are there any cards at all that I could use to improve performance beyond the onboard graphics, or am I stuck?

 

Thanks

[KenB]

Very frustrating.

 

All PCIe cards that I have found require at least 250 Watts.

 

There is a PSU calculator that you can use:

click here

 

It suggests that you don't put in the video card in the PCIe box. This is because the power consumption varies so much.

You would need to add this to the final total.

I did a quick check using what information I had on your system and added 75 Watts - which is typical of a low-end card power consumption.

It came to over 200 Watts - which is why manufacturers suggest 250 Watts or more.

[Armageddon]

I know this is a bit left field but as the tower is a micro one ( very nice that they are ) , and space is at a premium a half height card would be needed anyway and the PSU isn't enough have you considered recasing the components a reasonable case with a 500w psu is £40 or so and if your worried about recasing yourself most shops charge another 10 - 20 for doing it for you , you'd then have the space for expansion

[arrows7]

I hadn't thought about recasing, but that's an interesting suggestion. Might look into it if there aren't any other options, thanks.

 

I found this card, which I think would fit, and I've found some info that says it only uses less than 50W.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-Radeon-Graphics-Profile-Warranty/dp/B004XANP0U/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pdT1_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=OGG172QZ6AVF&coliid=I1B0JYKNMD00XO

 

Might that be an option?

[KenB]

have you considered recasing

Now that is a sensible idea :)

 

Might that be an option?

Depends what the PSU calculator comes up with.

180 Watts is still low and any card you get will not be much of an improvement on the present on-board that you have now.

 

The very low-end cards are certainly no use for playing games.

[maynardvdm]

Hi

 

Going on the AMD website http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6450/pages/amd-radeon-hd-6450-overview.aspx#3

 

they recommend a 400W PSU for the AMD Radeon HD 6450.

[arrows7]

It looks like recasing is my only option, then. I'll nip in to my local computer shop in a few weeks and see how much they would charge.

 

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to give me advice.

[KenB]

If you do decide to re-case then, as Armageddon suggests, a 500 Watt PSU will run most mid-range cards.

You will have far more choice of video card too.

 

Just do one thing ....

Check that you have a PCIe x 16 slot ( this is where the video card would sit )

I have tried looking for a motherboard spec and cannot locate one.

http://karbosguide.com/books/pcarchitecture/images/828.jpg

The black one is PCIe x 16 [ The white ones are PCI ]

The colour will vary - but the tell-tail is the extension [ top of picture ]

 

Let us know what you decide and how you get on :)