Tris812
03-10-2012 06:37 AM (4 days ago)
I'm looking for a new graphics card that will work in this system and be a better alternative to the Nvidia 7300 LE. I know this computer isn't desinged for gaming, but I'm not expecting anything fancy out of the graphics card, only to be able to play some old games that my computer should manage easily. (Namely, Star Wars Battlefront 2.)
Does anyone know of any (cheap) graphics cards that I can pick up that will fit in the case (so, low profile) and also run on the modest PSU that came with the pc (160W)?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Big_Dave
03-10-2012 08:41 AM (4 days ago)
Hi Tris812,
Read through this posted
document.
I have yet to see a video card stocked by HP for a PC with only a 160 watt power supply.
Tris812
03-10-2012 09:50 AM (4 days ago)
In that case what would be the implications of upgrading the PSU as well?
Big_Dave
03-10-2012 10:38 AM (4 days ago)
Hi,
Look
here at HP Partsurfer for video cards that are used in the newer Slimline models with a 220 watt power supply. These cards were manufactured specially for HP Slimline PCs with 220 watt power supplies. The GT 530 is probably the best of the ones listed.
HP
Slimline power supply from Athena. A mini-ATX converter cable is also required. Contact Athena and get a power supply recommendation that will meet the above video card requirements.
The slimline PC is not a gaming PC and while the above video cards will improve the video performance it's hard say if your expectations will be met.
Tris812
03-10-2012 12:38 PM (4 days ago)
Thank you for helping me out.
I've been looking around and found out that my current graphics card (Nvidia 7300 LE) that came with the computer needs a 350w powers supply. I also found out that the power supply from my computer is only 160w. Could that be affecting the performance of the graphics? If so, that would need that I need to get in contact with Athena even more, right?
Chris
Big_Dave
03-10-2012 12:52 PM (4 days ago)
Hi Chris,
Did you read through the document that I referenced?
Tris812
03-10-2012 01:14 PM (4 days ago)
Sorry, that was a bit of a waste of your time. What I meant to say was to what degree could low power supply lower the frame rate; whether or not a PSU with higher output would solve my problem.
On the back of the game I want to be able to play it says that I need a 64mb 3d graphics card, and as far as I know that isn't a lot to ask for. I know that the Nvidia 7300 LE has at least 64mb of memory, so that does point towards my PSU being the source of the problem (I think).
Thanks again for your patience with me,
Chris
Tris812
03-10-2012 01:59 PM (4 days ago)
I'm still waiting for a reply from Athena, but I've done some looking around on my own, and found a PSU that I think will fit my PC:
http://athenapower.com/product/power-supply/flex-atx/ap-mfatx40http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338081 Now if this did turn out to be right for me, and I did end up buying it, would installing it just be a case of putting it in and then leaving it, or are there compatability issues that come with it, such as the motherboard needing replacing, etc. (You can tell I really don't know what I'm talking about now.)
Also, you mentioned a mini-ATX converter cable. Would that came with the PSU? Or would I need to buy that separately? And if so, where? There's not much mention of it in the product page.
Thanks again,
Chris
Big_Dave
03-11-2012 11:04 AM (3 days ago)
Chris,
Get a recommendation from Athena as I suggested above.
Tris812
03-11-2012 12:27 PM (3 days ago)
I apologise for my lack of cooperativeness. I'm still waiting for a reply from Athena, so in the meantime I'm trying to gather as much information as possible, which is why I've been pestering. However, I think I've found out everything I need to know now, so that should be the end of my questions.
Thank you so much for your support and patience,
Chris
Big_Dave
03-11-2012 12:38 PM (3 days ago)
Hi,
Look at this
250 watt power supply.
It's a painful process to replace a PSU in a slimline PC.:smileysad:
Tris812
03-11-2012 02:08 PM (3 days ago)
Big_Dave
03-11-2012 02:35 PM (3 days ago)
Hi,
You probably will not know for certain about the need for the 24 pin ATX to 24 pin min-ATX until you get actually see the PSU and/or wait for the recommendation from Althena.
I suspect that the adapter is needed since the reference is a 24/20 ATX adapter and not a miniATX 24 pin connector.
Let us know what works out for you and good luck.
Tris812
03-13-2012 09:28 AM (1 days ago)
I finally phoned up Athena last night and, much to my happiness, found out that the PSU I posted earlier (page 1 I think) should work fine with my computer. However, when I went to buy the PSU from Newegg (from the other link earlier on), I found out that they didn't ship their products to the UK.
Well, that's the end of that. As for my next move, I've heard the PC World, where I got my computer from, can upgrade my PSU, so I suppose that's where I'll be going next.
If you're interested in how this ends, let me know, otherwise thank you so much for all your help, Big_Dave. I know I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have without your advice and guidance.
Chris
Big_Dave
03-13-2012 10:09 AM (1 days ago)
Hi Chris,
Let us know which PSU works and what your experience was with the installation. Perhaps you will have some tips to share with everyone.
Tris812
03-13-2012 01:29 PM (1 days ago)
Will do. It's likely to be a couple of days before this happens, since I'm planning on having it done when my computer goes in for its yearly service, which is coming up in a matter of days.