Graphics Card: decisions decisions...

[pengyman89]

Hello all, I'm in the market for a new graphics card as the ol' Nvidia 6200 is getting close to the end of its usefulness to me . I am running FS9 as well as a bunch of other games on my computer. I have an HP m7160n, everything stock except for the video card and the memory. PCI-E bus.

I am looking to spend $200-300 CAN but feel free to mention $400 cards as sales are easy enough to find.

A few questions, Should the brand be a huge consideration for me (BFG as opposed to Asus), and should I be worrying about DX10 cards (I am not looking to install FSX or Vista anytime soon).

Any and all information is greatly appreciated!!

Thank you

Edit: The cards i've been eyeing are;

BFG 7950GT OC 512MB
BFG 8500GT 512MB
EVGA 8600 GTS SC 256MB

[jimcooper1]

Your first consideration is..how big is my PSU? That will detemine whether you buy a card within the capabilities of your PSU or whether you need to upgrade your PSU at the same time?  The HP site tends not to include the PSU in its Spec list for its products.  Can you find the rating of your PSU??

Regards

Jim

[pengyman89]

hmm, i'm not sure but everything i'm reading so far says I will need to upgrade my PSU, which I have no issues doing so no worries there. for the PSU, everyone recomends 600W+?

[jimcooper1]

I'd go for the 7950GT with 512MB VRAM . This card is rated at 44.8 GB/sec and if its OC'd it will be faster.

(The 8500GT is rated at 12.5 GB/sec and the 8600GTS at 32 GB/sec) However these are DX10 compatible..

Regards

Jim

[richardd43]

I have not owned a HP computer in a while but my last one had an odd sized PSU in it. To install a new PSU I had to cut a hole in the back of my case and fabricate some brackets for it.

Yours might not be like that but you might want to check it out before buying anthing.

Also the mounting holes for the motherboard were moved out about 1/4 inch and the board did not reach the back of a standard case so an aftermarket case was out of the question.

[aussiewannabe]

I have not owned a HP computer in a while but my last one had an odd sized PSU in it. To install a new PSU I had to cut a hole in the back of my case and fabricate some brackets for it.

Sounds like you had something up front like a DVD player that would have put the new PSU too close as to not allow the wiring to be pushed down. I have an HP. In order for me to add on a 600w PSU (the one recommended is 7.1 inches long), I would have to remove the DVD player in order for the new PSU to fit adequately inside the case. While it worked for you, cutting a hole in the back of the case is a bit extreme for me.

[richardd43]

Sounds like you had something up front like a DVD player that would have put the new PSU too close

I really don't remember why now. It was an old Pavilion with a 185w PSU that died.

I was not trying to say the PSU can't be replaced in the newer HPs but just trying to give a heads up with a problem I had with mine.

[pengyman89]

Heads up is much appreciated Richard, as is the advice jim. Looks like that is what I will go with, and i'll make sure to ask all the questions before i go for all the upgrades.

Thanks

[aussiewannabe]

I really don't remember why now. It was an old Pavilion with a 185w PSU that died.

I was not trying to say the PSU can't be replaced in the newer HPs but just trying to give a heads up with a problem I had with mine.

I understand completely. If and when I upgrade my video card and PSU, I'm looking at some major surgery (so to speak). My case is crammed. The only thing that can be replaced easily is the video card.

[machineman9]

you could get the 8600GTS in 512mb... i got mine for