Upgrading Graphics Card

davidk11811

Hey guys, need little advice on upgrading my graphics card. My current PC is a Dell Inspiron 530, 2.53GHz Intel Duo Core, 4GB RAM, 300Watt Bestec ATX0300P5WB PSU and my GC is an Intel G33/G31 Express Chipset Family Graphics Card. So I need a new GC to run Minecraft on "Far" render distance and be able to run FM12, that's all. I've been looking into this. Now I'm unsure about buying it since it is a 400Watt minimum and my PC is only 300Watt. Is this a problem? Also I'd be open to suggestions for another GC, my budget is 60 euro.

Wh1skeyjack

This guy here had the same request

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1773737

I think he opted for a ATI 6670 in the end
The 6450 should be fine, power-wise. Here's a review which goes into more depth.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4263/amds-radeon-hd-6450-uvd3-meets-htpc/13

davidk11811

Okay thanks, I think I'll go with the 6450. Also, I'm looking on the AMD website now at the 6450s and some say PCIx16 and others say PCIe. How do I know which will fit my PC?

davidk11811

When I search google for using a 400 Watt GC on a 300 Watt PSU, many people say it is dodgy and that you should upgrade your PSU. Please can someone help me out? I've already ordered the Asus AMD Radeon 6450 and I really don't want to to change PSU. I don't mind if the card doesn't work to full potential, I just don't want my PC to overheat. All I really need it for is Minecraft, the desktop PC is ONLY ever used for Minecraft and on occasion Football Manager. I don't use the CD/DVD Drives while I play, nor do I have an external hard drive. All I have externally is mouse, keyboard and monitor. So if I use this PC rarely and only for Minecraft/Football Manager, it will be safe?

Wh1skeyjack

According to this chart, the 6450 pulls 59W running Far Cry 2.

http://portals.hexus.net/?item=30095&page=12&id=microdirect

Minecraft is much less tough on the graphics card than Far Cry 2 I'd imagine, so really, you'll have plenty of overhead. The 6450 is probably the least power thirsty card out there, and you could more than likely run even the 6670 perfectly happily, especially with the uses you intend to put it to.
As for the PCI stuff, PCI-e means PCI express, which is the slot the vast majority of graphics cards use nowadays. PCI 16x is a speed of PCI-e, used for graphics cards. The 6450 is a PCI 16x graphics card, and will fit in your motherboard.

davidk11811

Wh1skeyjack wrote: »

According to this chart, the 6450 pulls 59W running Far Cry 2.

http://portals.hexus.net/?item=30095&page=12&id=microdirect

Minecraft is much less tough on the graphics card than Far Cry 2 I'd imagine, so really, you'll have plenty of overhead. The 6450 is probably the least power thirsty card out there, and you could more than likely run even the 6670 perfectly happily, especially with the uses you intend to put it to.
As for the PCI stuff, PCI-e means PCI express, which is the slot the vast majority of graphics cards use nowadays. PCI 16x is a speed of PCI-e, used for graphics cards. The 6450 is a PCI 16x graphics card, and will fit in your motherboard.

Ok thanks a million, I will keep the PSU I have for now, and upgrade to a reliable Corsair in the next few months.

Monotype

davidk11811 wrote: »

...upgrade to a reliable Corsair in the next few months.

Just watch out which corsair you buy; not all are reliable.

davidk11811

Just an update...
Ordered the Asus AMD Radeon 6450 from scan, just waiting for it to come back into stock now. Also I'm going to upgrade my PSU. What do you guys think of this

Monotype

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/400w-psu-antec-high-current-gamer-hgc-400-88-eff-80-plus-bronze-eps-12v-quiet-fan-atx-v23
Good quality seasonic unit.

http://komplett.ie/Komplett/product/ZKB_01COM/29_PSU/productdetails/80002628/A_Data_HM_650_650_Watt_ATX/AHM650_BZ_CEU/default.aspx
CWT unit, similar to corsair's GS series (+modular). 650W is well above your needs and with that system you wouldn't be getting the best efficiency, but it is very good value.

davidk11811

Monotype wrote: »

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/400w-psu-antec-high-current-gamer-hgc-400-88-eff-80-plus-bronze-eps-12v-quiet-fan-atx-v23
Good quality seasonic unit.

http://komplett.ie/Komplett/product/ZKB_01COM/29_PSU/productdetails/80002628/A_Data_HM_650_650_Watt_ATX/AHM650_BZ_CEU/default.aspx
CWT unit, similar to corsair's GS series (+modular). 650W is well above your needs and with that system you wouldn't be getting the best efficiency, but it is very good value.

Hmmm. which should I go for? The 650Watt one could be useful for the future, if I ever get a new PC. Is one of them better quality than the other?

Monotype

Both are good and have 3 year warranties.
If you think that's likely that you'll get a new PC in something like a year (with a powerful graphics card), the 650W would be worthwhile but otherwise just get the 400W.
Even new PCs with midrange graphics normally get recommended the 450W PSU.

Monotype

The 400W PSU is on scan's today only page for £5 cheaper if you decide to go for it.
http://www.scan.co.uk/todayonly/index.aspx

There's also the 520W version for £47.99 (although that's nearly the price of the 650W one).

davidk11811

Monotype wrote: »

The 400W PSU is on scan's today only page for £5 cheaper if you decide to go for it.
http://www.scan.co.uk/todayonly/index.aspx

There's also the 520W version for £47.99 (although that's nearly the price of the 650W one).

Thanks for all the help, I went with the 650 Watt one. It was only 59 euro with free postage so was a fair price and I'm sure I can use it again in the future.

freeze4real

guys hello i have a gainward 8500 gt and I bought a fan from ebay to add to the gpu heat sink side.


How do i go on about doing it ?

i tried sticking some screws in but it made no sense.

Jonny7

freeze4real wrote: »

guys hello i have a gainward 8500 gt and I bought a fan from ebay to add to the gpu heat sink side.


How do i go on about doing it ?

i tried sticking some screws in but it made no sense.

What happened to the original fan?

freeze4real

gainward 8500gt has a fanless cooling system.

It had a two pin slot available on the it so i thought i would add a fan to it.

I got something basic like these

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/260687434739?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Jonny7

freeze4real wrote: »

gainward 8500gt has a fanless cooling system.

It had a two pin slot available on the it so i thought i would add a fan to it.

I got something basic like these

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/260687434739?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Why would you need those fans out of curiousity.. I think the card should run fine without?

davidk11811

Guys, got the PSU today. Removed the old one and have new one fitted and have connected it to motherboard with this and also this. And I've connected the Hard Drive and CD/DVD drive with one of these each. I'm not sure if I've connected everything... Do the USB slots and memory stick slots need to be directly connected to the power supply? They are already connected to the motherboard which is connected to the power supply. Also the Processor fan is connected to the motherboard. If there is anything else let me know. I won't boot it up until I'm sure. Thanks.

Monotype

That sounds about right.
USB just connects to USB header on the board (be sure not to connect to the firewire header which looks the same), and the built in USB slots are already connected.
Memory stick? As in RAM or like a flash card slot? RAM just goes into the board and a card reader usually connects to a USB header.
All your hard drives and CPU fan should be connected to the motherboard. Case fans can be connected to the motherboard or the PSU or fan controller.

That PSU has gone up by €10!

davidk11811

No not like RAM, It's just under the USB slots on the front of my PC. I'm going to boot it up now and I'll let you know how I get on.

Monotype wrote: »

That PSU has gone up by €10!

Wow not a bad deal at all for me then Thanks for that.

davidk11811

Waheeey Success! Working well, no problems whatsoever. Delighted
Thanks all for the help Monotype and Co.

davidk11811

One last question! :rolleyes:
I got my new graphics card today, I have it installed in the motherboard right now but I have one concern. I have an onboard graphics card. Intel Family Chipset I think, and my D-Sub cable was usually plugged into that. So now that I have a new graphics card and it also has a D-Sub slot. Which do I plug it into?
EDIT-I found this video below and I'm going to try this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6F3MhniZFI

Monotype

Plug it into you graphics card.

davidk11811

Ok, I have it installed with the latest drivers but there's something strange going on with my monitor. It started off as extremely zoomed in after I installed the GPU, I changed the resolution but it's still not right. All the icons on the desktop are tiny and everything is slightly blurry... Anyone know how I fix this?
Here is a screenshot

Monotype

Hold down the Ctrl key and roll the mouse wheel up (when you're on the desktop).

davidk11811

Thanks, that worked, I tried that earlier when I googled this problem and it didn't do anything... Strange