Got a HP, need vid card advise...

[DaFinn]

Hi,

I have allways build my computers for last 15 yrs. But this time my company wanted to get me a new one, but only choice was to go with a branded setup. Now I know a thing or 2 as I use these things every day, so I know the basics is ok. I just havent kept up to date with current graphics.

Below is the combo I have. Its a HP media center:

Hardware
Base processor
Core 2 Quad Q6600 (K) 2.4 GHz (95W)
1066 MHz front side bus
Socket 775

Chipset
Intel G33 Express
Motherboard
Manufacturer: Asus
Motherboard Name: IPIBL-LB

Memory Installed 4 GB

Hard drive
1 TB (2 x 500) SATA 3G (3.0 Gb/sec)

7200 rpm

16X DVD(+/-)R/RW 12X RAM (+/-)R DL LightScribe SATA drive

Wireless LAN 802.11 a/b/g/n
Video Graphics
GeForce 8600GT

* 512 MB GDDR2 memory
* I/O Ports: HDMI, dual-link DVI , S-video

Television
PCI Express x1 TV tuner card
Sound/Audio
Integrated High Definition audio

* Realtek ALC 888S chipset
* Supports up to 8 audio channels

Network (LAN)
Integrated 10/100/1000 Base-T networking interface

etc...

So the question is. The 8600GT graphics??? I know its decent, but what would be a recommended upgrade to this one? Keeping in mind it has not a huge PSU, and I dun wanna start changeing more components. I would also like to keep it as silent as possible.
I play CS/COD4 and some other stuff. My son plays mainly car games, NFS etc...

Thanks in advance for your advise.

 

[octopus41092]

What price range and what resolution are we talking about? If you're running 1680x1050 or something then I'd go with an HD4850 for about $160. If you have more to spend I'd go for the HD4870 though. Also, if you're going to play at higher resolutions then you might as well get the HD4870 and it's a better card for not that much more anyways.

 

[DaFinn]

Originally posted by: octopus41092
What price range and what resolution are we talking about? If you're running 1680x1050 or something then I'd go with an HD4850 for about $160. If you have more to spend I'd go for the HD4870 though. Also, if you're going to play at higher resolutions then you might as well get the HD4870 and it's a better card for not that much more anyways.

Thanks, I forgot the screen.

Yea, its a HP 22" 1680x1050, so thats what I aim to be able to play at.

Will have a look at the 4850 range. Any of these available with passive cooling? Or with nice large quiet fan?

 

[Raoul Duke]

You might have to change to a larger PS if you upgrade the video card. Some of those HP systems come with power supplies that just squeak by for the base config let alone any upgrading. It would probably be a good idea to run any potential upgrades through a power supply calculator just to stay on the safe side.

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

 

[DaFinn]

Originally posted by: Raoul Duke
You might have to change to a larger PS if you upgrade the video card. Some of those HP systems come with power supplies that just squeak by for the base config let alone any upgrading. It would probably be a good idea to run any potential upgrades through a power supply calculator just to stay on the safe side.

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

Wow, that was very good link! Thanks!

The PSU I checked is 350W :S. With the calculator, current components come to 286W with 90% load.

-GF 8800 or ATI3870 raise that to 321 W
-ATI 4850 goes up to 347W... too close, might cause hickups.
-GF9600 GT = 298W. Not a significant raise.

So after this, I think choices are down to:

-GF 9600GT
-GF 8800GT
-Ati 3870

All seem to be very close pricewise too. So which out of these 3?

 

[DaFinn]

I found a nice 9600GT, passively cooled, from Asus. I think I am going with this.
Passively cooled would be nice, as I want to keep it quiet...

Any other recommendations with passive cooling?