[WTB] I am a noob and i need some help :D

[eltiti55555]

So about a month ago i bought a brand new computer from Best Buy, it looked pretty good for it's price. It was all going well until i decided to run L4D on it, it was slow as hell and not enjoyable at all. When i researched a little bit i realized that my Graphic card sucks, so i came here looking for a decent video card. Anyone knows for how much money could i get a "9800GT or a Ge Force 8800GTS"??

btw My Computer Spec are the following:


AMD Phenom 9550 Quad Core (2.2Ghz)
4.6GBs of RAM ( I am not sure which kind)
GeForce 9300

[3.0charlie]

1. Do you have a spare PCI-e slot in the motherboard.
2. What is the wattage of the PSU.
3. Does the PSU have spare PCI-e (2x3 pins) connectors.
4. I'd be really surprised you have 4.6Gb of ram.
5. Welcome to the Forums.

John

[dadzilla]

NCIX.com - Buy EVGA E-GEFORCE 9800GTX+ SC 756MHZ 512MB 2.24GHZ 256BIT DDR3 Dual DVI-I HDCP HDTV Out Video Card - 512-P3-N884-AR In Canada. -9800gtx+ for $212. I would maybe do this tho:Newegg.ca - SAPPHIRE 100259L Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards - a sapphire 4870 for $206 - pretty amazing price.

By the way, you need a lot of room: both these cards are extra long. Check the specs to see if they will fit. And your power supply needs two pci-e connectors.

[chrisk]

You are running integrated video...builders often put a PSU in there that will run the machine 'as is', so I would really make sure of the PSU specifications before putting any video cards in there like the 9800GTX+ or the 4870 dadzilla mentioned...you can damage your computer without doing so, and void your warranty. You also need to pay special heed to 3.0 Charlie's post. If you have a decent PSU with a PCI-E connector and a PCI-E video card slot, then those are great video cards dadzilla mentioned.

Welcome to the forums!

[Babrbarossa]

Welcome to HWC- what would your budget be?

[Jackquelegs]

Hello. Welcome to HWC

3.0 Charlie is right. I used to work at Futureshop as a tech, and from what I've seen those PSUs included are mostly random name branded OEM PSUs (best I've seen was a FSP 300W). Most of them are supposed to run the system that it was configured with to cut down cost (no PCI-e aux powers either). Therefore many of them are incapable of having decent aftermarket video cards.

I highly recommend you to pick up a good cheap name brand power supply like the Seasonic 400W or Sparkle 400W to run a decent card like 8800GT/9600GT

[encorp]

Is there any chance you can provide a link to your computer so maybe we can answer some of the questions posted here if you are unable?

[dadzilla]

Here is a link to the specs for his board: Nvidia's GeForce 9300 chipset - The Tech Report - Page 1 - btw, had I seen 3.0Charlie's post I would have refrained from giving my rather less experienced advice. We must have posted at the same time 3.0Charlie. Elitit555 would be better off to go with 3.0Charlie's advice.

[JD]

I think a HD4670 would work the best in this, assuming he has a PCIe slot, since it doesn't require any additional power.

Could you post the manufacturer + model of the PC? That would help a ton.

[eltiti55555]

Look this is my computer Computers: Desktop Computers: HP Pavilion Desktop PC featuring AMD Phenom X4 9550 QuadCore(M8530F) - Refurbished - Online Only | Best Buy Canada Web Store It probably wasn't such a good deal after lol.. ohh well...