Trying to find a compatable video card

Computer Forum Video Cards, Displays and TV Tuners
1

Ok well I got a new computer about 6 months ago, so I can play some video games more smoother, however its still not as great as I’d like it to be, Im thinking its my video card because i have 5gb of ram, and not sure what else could slow it down. I have a link to my computer’s specifications page Product Specifications

It says I have a PCI Slot available, one PCI Express x16 available, and 2 PCI Express x1, I am not sure what what these quite mean so bare with me, I’ve picked out a video card that I think i’d like for a decent price, but I’m not sure if it will work out with my computer. XFX GeForce 8500 GT Ultra Silent Cooling Video Card - 512MB DDR2, SLI Ready, PCI Express 1.0 x16, (Dual Link) DVI, VGA, HDTV PVT86JYAHG at TigerDirect.com and do you think this should improve the quality of the FPS games I play?

2

Welcome to HWF :slight_smile:

The Geforce 8500 is not really suitable for games. It’s just a card to give you an image on the screen. I would say, get an 8800GT, GTS, GTX or an 9800.

3

I’m thinking about PNY GeForce 8600 GT Video Card - 512MB DDR2, PCI Express, (Dual Link) DVI, VGA, Low Profile VCG86512GXEB at TigerDirect.com It seems to be a bit better than the one I originally picked out, I’m watching the price, because I don’t have a lot to spend, for this price, its about as high as I’d like to pay. Is it much of an improvement from the last one, and should it work for my computer?
thanks for the help

4

New graphics you listed would give you better graphics quality than your current, integrated, card. The card you wanna buy tho is minimum for most of the new games, so you won’t get high frame rates.
Also in your computer you have 250W power supply while PNY (producent of the card you are going to buy) says on their website that the card needs 350W minimum… that will be the problem.

5

Yeah, Im looking at buying a new power supply pack for it, pretty sure thats the video card that I’ll get, thanks for the help

6

If you’re going to buy a new power supply, I’d suggest to read the Power Supply Sticky to help you with choosing a good one :slight_smile:

7

alright thanks, i was wondeirng what else there was to look at in a Power pack rather than just the watts

8

Sure, no problem. And good luck :slight_smile:

9

I have the 8600GT in my PC (well 2, but it makes no difference whether I have 1 or 2 for some reason :S). It plays Burnout Paradise on full, Crysis on medium, NFS Undercover on almost full, and various other games reasonably well. :slight_smile: