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Upgrading Graphics Card? Gaming PC

(11 posts)
  • Started 6 months ago by djhull3917
  • Latest reply from whs
  • Topic Viewed 314 times

djhull3917
Posts: 112

Hi there i have a HP Pavilion Slimline 32 bit windows 7 2gb of ram.
what graphics card can i upgrade to?

I know this dosent match intel i7 etc--- this is my backup pc im doing up.

I want to make this a gaming pc --what do i need to do for the lowest amount of cash?

Posted 6 months ago #
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ronniesonora
Posts: 919

What's the model number?

Posted 6 months ago #
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afuhnk
afuhnk
Posts: 309

Make sure to check if the power supply currently installed will "support" the graphic card you want.
Also important: making sure there's enough room in that case to fit the graphic card.

Posted 6 months ago #
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hArLtRoN
hArLtRoN
Posts: 766

If your gonna use it as a gaming rig you might want to bump the RAM up to 4GB, the max amount of RAM for a x86 system.

Like afuhnk said, make sure the case is big enough and your PSU can power it.

Posted 6 months ago #
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djhull3917
Posts: 112

hi there, my computer says that i can not add any more RAM and that there are only 2 slots (1g each), can i simply add more RAM )2g each) will it still work.??

@hArLtRON

Posted 6 months ago #
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djhull3917
Posts: 112

@fuhnk What do u mean /? as in what power supply do i need to run a new graphics card?

Posted 6 months ago #
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whs
whs
Posts: 17584

1. The RAM options you can check by running the Crucial Scanner: http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/

2. The size power supply depends on the graphics card. They can run as high as 450 Watts. But the stock power supply is usually only 250 to 300 Watts. My guess is that you most likely will need a better power supply.

3. A slimline box is not the best option to build a gaming PC. There is not a lot of room and it may already be difficult to find even a suitable power supply. And some graphics cards need a lot of room too. Make sure you check all the measurements before you go any further.

Posted 6 months ago #
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afuhnk
afuhnk
Posts: 309

djhull, as whs said, some graphic cards require a lot of power to run. If your power supply is 250-300watts (which usually is the case with the kind of computer you posted), you will definitely need to get a bigger / better power supply. Or you can buy a cheaper graphic card to stay within the limits of your current power supply.

Here's an interesting post about gpu + psu
(Link allowed, I hope)
http://www.tomshardware.com/fo.....ards-guide

Posted 6 months ago #
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afuhnk
afuhnk
Posts: 309

I see you have another thread asking for prices on touch screens.

If I were you, I'd forget about the touch screen and instead invest on building a good gaming pc.
I doubt there is any good touch screens that will perform well when gaming (response time, etc).

Posted 6 months ago #
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djhull3917
Posts: 112

okay thanks guys,,,,, you lot have been a ton of help!, One more thing is could any of you list or link a specifc power supply and graphics card?

Thanks Guys !!!

@afuhnk
@whs

Posted 6 months ago #
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whs
whs
Posts: 17584

Have a look at Newegg.com. There are plenty - but they have to fit into your box.

Posted 6 months ago #
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