Never upgraded before, need some help.

[Params7]

Here are my computer specs, I didn't build it :


AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+
2gb ram
Windows Vista

Mainboard : Acer F690GVM
(Let me know if you need to know anything else)


I'm looking to upgrade the graphics card, my budget for the card is 150-170$. I hear 4850 and 9800GTX are in this price range? Which one is the better one if that is true?

Also, with a graphics card, what else do I need to buy? A better PSU, a better cooler?
I have never upgraded a computer before so I'm a noob at this, any advice will be appreciated greatly.

 

[vj8usa]

The 4850 is pretty much equivalent to the 9800GTX+. Get whichever one is cheaper (probably the 4850 these days, it's about $30 less on Newegg). As for your PSU, what do you have now?

 

[Quiksilver]

What PSU?

 

[Params7]

Acer model no. is PS 5251-7, its 250W...

 

[yh125d]

You're gonna want a new PSU

 

[Params7]

Originally posted by: yh125d
You're gonna want a new PSU

would a 500w power supply do it? which PSU would you recomend?

 

[TemjinGold]

Originally posted by: Params7

Originally posted by: yh125d
You're gonna want a new PSU

would a 500w power supply do it? which PSU would you recomend?

If it's in your budget, this one.

Edit: Forgot to mention, only recommended that cuz it's so cheap right now. Don't get it if you miss that deal.

 

[yh125d]

Originally posted by: Params7

Originally posted by: yh125d
You're gonna want a new PSU

would a 500w power supply do it? which PSU would you recomend?

Anything 400w+ from a good company (Silverstone, Seasonic, Corsair, PCP&C, FSP, BFG, Antec, and I'm probably forgetting a couple) would be fine. Just make sure you get one with a pci-e connector (2 if you go for the 9800gtx)

I'm partial to this Silverstone
but heres a few more good ones fo compare, all around $60-70

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817151069
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371002
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817703005
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817104034

If you grab the 4850 (or another card with only 1 pci-e connector) you could probably save $15-20 by getting a psu without the second connector

 

[Denithor]

Asus 4850 $135AR
OCZ 500W PSU $25AR

There ya go!

BTW the GPU has an aftermarket cooler for better cooling & blessed silence and is factory overclocked to 680core/2100memory. The PSU is plenty of juice for your new GPU.

EDIT: One question - you don't have one of those "skinny" small form factor cases, do you? If you do, the standard size cards may not fit (same for the PSU above). What model is your computer?

 

[Params7]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Asus 4850 $135AR
OCZ 500W PSU $25AR

There ya go!

BTW the GPU has an aftermarket cooler for better cooling & blessed silence and is factory overclocked to 680core/2100memory. The PSU is plenty of juice for your new GPU.

EDIT: One question - you don't have one of those "skinny" small form factor cases, do you? If you do, the standard size cards may not fit (same for the PSU above). What model is your computer?

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+

 

[phexac]

Originally posted by: Params7

Originally posted by: Denithor
Asus 4850 $135AR
OCZ 500W PSU $25AR

There ya go!

BTW the GPU has an aftermarket cooler for better cooling & blessed silence and is factory overclocked to 680core/2100memory. The PSU is plenty of juice for your new GPU.

EDIT: One question - you don't have one of those "skinny" small form factor cases, do you? If you do, the standard size cards may not fit (same for the PSU above). What model is your computer?

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+

He's talking about the actual physical enclosure of you computer, not the chip.

 

[Params7]

Its this one :
http://www.memoryx.net/asam8.html

Aspire AM1100-U1402A

http://images.compusa.com/item...5-SF0001-call04-ds.jpg

More pics if you google the model no. Is it big enough?

 

[Params7]

Here are accuarate measurements :

http://images.compusa.com/item...5-SF0001-call01-ds.jpg

Not big enough for 4850 and that 500W PSU I guess? Any cheap cases then? I don't care about the looks.