[SophieMayk]

Hey there!
I am looking into upgrading my graphics card so that my games run smoother while recording.
I currently have an ATI Radeon HD 4650. I am looking for something between £100-£150.
At the moment I have 4GB RAM, Pentium Dual Core and 600W PSU and I'm running on Windows 7.
Hopefully this is enough information for some help.

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SophieMayk

The present video card (HD 4650) is available as both the AGP and the PCI-E type, do you happen to know which type yours is.

Other information that will help us make the correct suggestions are the size/type of the case full tower, mid tower or SFF (small form factor) as some cards are too large to fit in smaller cases and what is the brand and model name or number of the PSU so that we can check what power connections are available as some video cards require a supplemental power supply from the PSU (PCI-E X6 or 8 pin)

If you are not sure of the video card runs Speccy and provide a screenshot of the MB details for us http://www.piriform.com/speccy

To capture and post a screenshot;

Click on the ALT key + PRT SCR key..its on the top row..right hand side..now click on start...all programs...accessories...paint....left click in the white area ...press CTRL + V...click on file...click on save...save it to your desktop...name it something related to the screen your capturing... BE SURE TO SAVE IT AS A .JPG ...otherwise it may be to big to upload... then after typing in any response you have... click on browse...desktop...find the screenshot..select it and click on the upload button...then on the lower left...after it says upload successful...click on add reply like you normally would.

Screenshot instructions are provided to assist those that may read this topic but are not yet aware of the “how to”.

[phillpower2]

SophieMayk

The present video card (HD 4650) is available as both the AGP and the PCI-E type, do you happen to know which type yours is.

Other information that will help us make the correct suggestions are the size/type of the case full tower, mid tower or SFF (small form factor) as some cards are too large to fit in smaller cases and what is the brand and model name or number of the PSU so that we can check what power connections are available as some video cards require a supplemental power supply from the PSU (PCI-E X6 or 8 pin)

If you are not sure of the video card runs Speccy and provide a screenshot of the MB details for us http://www.piriform.com/speccy

To capture and post a screenshot;

Click on the ALT key + PRT SCR key..its on the top row..right hand side..now click on start...all programs...accessories...paint....left click in the white area ...press CTRL + V...click on file...click on save...save it to your desktop...name it something related to the screen your capturing... BE SURE TO SAVE IT AS A .JPG ...otherwise it may be to big to upload... then after typing in any response you have... click on browse...desktop...find the screenshot..select it and click on the upload button...then on the lower left...after it says upload successful...click on add reply like you normally would.

Screenshot instructions are provided to assist those that may read this topic but are not yet aware of the “how to”.

[SophieMayk]

My video card is PCI-E, I am aware I need a bigger tower too fit a bigger card.

This is my power supply: http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1c29e21e43
I couldn't find the information on Speccy.

This is my motherboard information, I uploaded an image via Gyazo, if you'd rather I upload let me know:
http://gyazo.com/1c7...5c0eba48c422ae8

[phillpower2]

You may be aware that you need a bigger tower for a larger card but we need to know what type of case you have to make sure that any cards suggested will actually fit.

Before you spend cash on a new video card I suggest that you upgrade the PSU either first or at the same time, the present PSU is a poor quality and output brand, if you look at the Speccy results that you provided and the PSU tolerance table that I have attached below you will see that the +12V reading of the present PSU is only reading 9.235V so there is every chance that it will not provide enough clean and stable power for a new card or in a worse case scenario it may damage it.

Please note that there is one thing that is possibly worse than using a known poor quality brand of PSU and that is using one that is unheard of, for brands of PSU to trust and brands to avoid please refer to the two attached links http://www.10stripe....d/psu/brand.php and http://www.pcmech.co...ad.php?t=208143
PSU database http://www.realhardt...vos/Page541.htm

Before purchasing a new PSU it is advisable that you measure the dimensions of the present PSU and ensure that the new PSU has the correct power connections for the MB, HDDs, optical drives, FDDs or add on cards such as a video card if one is fitted.
Quality brands include Antec, Corsair, OCZ and Seasonic.

[SophieMayk]

I will look into the power supplies for sure, more and likely Corsair. I'll have a look into the information you have provided. It is appreciated :)My tower has just a standard case I got from PC World made by HP. It is a mid-size ATX. Height: 38.40 cm, Width: 16.58 cm, Length: 42.9 cm.
I can provide a link to the product I brought if that helps?

[phillpower2]

Thanks for the additional information

I would suggest running a second testing software for comparison http://www.cpuid.com.../hwmonitor.html again provide a screenshot of the results please, I would upgrade to a better brand and output PSU regardless of these results but the final decision must be yours to make if the PSU output checks out ok.

NB: The present PSU claims 20A on the +12V rail which will also not be enough for many new video cards.

[SophieMayk]

Here is what CPU says about my Motherboard:
http://gyazo.com/a0d...8f2b145c0d724c1

What voltage of PSU do you recommend?

[phillpower2]

Sorry but that is not the information that we require, we need the PSU output as is pictured in the opening page at the link http://www.cpuid.com.../hwmonitor.html

http://www.ebuyer.co...cmpsu-500cxv2uk
http://www.amazon.co...K/?tag=pcp0f-21

[SophieMayk]

Oh sorry about that!
Here is what you wanted: http://gyazo.com/d24...b290b37174fccb2
Thank you for the recommendations!

[phillpower2]

No problem as we have the readings we need and they do show that the present PSU should be thrown in the trash.

If you look at the HWMonitor readings and compare them to the PSU tolerance table that I provided you will see that the +3.3V, +5V and the +12V rail are all a lot lower than they should be, that is why the PSU only cost £13.92

If you have any other questions or require assistance with the upgrades please let us know.

You are welcome BTW

[SophieMayk]

Haha, unfortunately I don't have a job and struggling to find one. Luckily I got a lot more money from my christmas temp job and thought I'd buy a new card. I think when it comes to PCs I shouldn't be a cheapskate

Cheers for your help, my new computer will be very happy when it is built!

[phillpower2]

Sorry for the titles of the attached links;
http://www.dummies.c...r-computer.html
http://www.dummies.c...wer-supply.html

Good luck with the job search and as I said any questions let us know

[SophieMayk]

Actually, one question. If I got just a new power supply would my graphics run better? If I'm loosing out on output is that affecting my games? Also how much more do you think this graphic card would be better by?

[phillpower2]

Actually, one question. If I got just a new power supply would my graphics run better?

Not necessarily + there is also a possibility that the present video card has been damaged by the poor quality PSU.

If I'm loosing out on output is that affecting my games?

Same answer as above.

Also how much more do you think this graphic card would be better by?

An awful lot and in particular how much faster that the HD 7770 is.

I make that three questions BTW

[SophieMayk]

Me again, sorry to bump an old thread but thought I might as well ask here.
I just brought the power supply you suggested and when I plug it all in and press the power button, nothing happens. I tripled checked that I plugged it all in correctly but still nothing happened. I have plugged my old power supply back in and it works fine.
Any ideas?

Fixed it! I had the PCI-E plugged into the motherboard rather than the CPU. D'oh.. my voltage is still 9 though.

Edited by SophieMayk, 02 March 2013 - 03:57 AM.