Help with upgrading Graphics

S

shraj001

Geek Trainee
First some information about my computer:

Athlon 64 3500+, 2.2 GHz
1.5 GB DDR2 SDRAM, PC4200
150 GB HDD
DVD RW
nVidia 6150 LE Onboard Graphics

I am thinking of upgrading my graphics, and I am considering either 8600 GTS or X1950 Pro. I am gonna use it mostly for gaming purpose, as I cant even play tomb raider legend and NFS carbon on this graphics card with good resolution and fps for my 19" monitor.
My another problem is my PSU. Its current rating is 300 Watt, and though I think there shouldn't be any problem running that, I want to be sure before I install the card. MSI 8600 GTS OC edition comes with supplimentary power supply cable and needs direct connection from PSU.

Any help will be appreciated.
 
Hello, and I think you mean wattage rating is 300w and current rating will be about 15-18amps, as it is low with cheaper power supplies. Mine has 48amps but I paid a lot for mine.

Anyway, cutting to the chase, I am in the same position as you, I have a built on 6150 which is also eating my RAM and I can run NFS Carbon at 640x480 at 60FPS, woopdeedoo, it looks terrible.

8500 and 8600 GPu's are designed to take load off the CPu for media purposes such as video codec handling and are between a 7600GT and 7900GS in terms of performance for games. x1950 Pro actually outpowers the 7900GS and in some cases the 7900GT, so if you want it for gaming, maybe the x1950 Pro is a good option, I am also considering this exact card as it is suposed to give "best bang for buck"

Hope this helps
 
Thanks for your reply rimmer,
The 8600 GTS i'm planning to buy is an overclocked version. I am a bit paranoid about overclocked graphics though i know they have a real good heat sink.
As my PSU came with my Compaq presario system, I'm not worried about the quality. Some people in forums have no trouble playing these graphic cards with good quality 300 Watt PSUs. But HP have a tedency to install PSUs with output just enough to play pre-installed factory components. I can upgrade my PSU as well. It wont cost much and I would be able to install more in the future.
 
If its factory overclocked, its been tested intensively and should be 100% fine. Not a bad card, I would upgrade PSu myself, maybe to 430Watts or more (Decent brand, Thermaltake i recommend) and yes you should be able to add more stuff, I don't see why not, its just a computer that has been assembled by a manufacturer
 
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