Need a graphics card!

Why is nothing easy these days?

My PC
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core E6300, 2.8Ghz, 2MB Cache, 1066Mhz FSB
Hard Drive: 500 GB SATA 2 HDD, 7200RPM, 16MB Cache
Memory: 2 GB DDR2 800Mhz
Graphics: Intel® GMA 3100
Optical Drive: 22x Super Multi DVDRW
Connectivity: 6 x USB 2.0 ports (2 Front)
10/100 Ethernet LAN
1 set 5.1 channel Audio jacks (3 jacks),1 x PCI Express x 16 Slot, 1 x PCI Express x1 Slot, 2 x PCI Bus Slots
2 x PS2 Ports (Keyboard and Mouse), 1 x Parallel Port, 1 x Serial Port, 1 x VGA Port
Operating system: Windows® 7 Home Premium
255w PSU

I am after a £40-60 graphics card & I am totally confused by what is out there. As the PC is new I just want a new gpu that is W7 complaint and works with a PSU running at 255w. I have seen suggestions on other forums about this http://www.ebuyer.com/product/173705
anyone with any other suggestions?

255W?

unfortunately yes..

Despite what they say in the comments, it's not worth the risk. An overloaded PSU will fail on one rail and spike the others. If it doesn't have the right circuit protection built in it'll trash components on your motherboard. Ebuyers value PSUs are dirt cheap anyway.

There's a fanless version of that card available that I thought might be more suitable for a lower powered PSU but even for that a 400W is recommended by Sapphire
http://www1.sapphiretech.com/mt/products/products_ov...
Looks like time for a new PSU if you need a discrete GPU but avoid ebuyer value PSUs and other cheap brands,
This one is a bit of a bargain at the moment
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152505

Regards,
Steve

In reply to a post by blfamily:

Why is nothing easy these days?

My PC
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core E6300, 2.8Ghz, 2MB Cache, 1066Mhz FSB
Hard Drive: 500 GB SATA 2 HDD, 7200RPM, 16MB Cache
Memory: 2 GB DDR2 800Mhz
Graphics: Intel® GMA 3100
Optical Drive: 22x Super Multi DVDRW
Connectivity: 6 x USB 2.0 ports (2 Front)
10/100 Ethernet LAN
1 set 5.1 channel Audio jacks (3 jacks),1 x PCI Express x 16 Slot, 1 x PCI Express x1 Slot, 2 x PCI Bus Slots
2 x PS2 Ports (Keyboard and Mouse), 1 x Parallel Port, 1 x Serial Port, 1 x VGA Port
Operating system: Windows® 7 Home Premium
255w PSU

I am after a £40-60 graphics card & I am totally confused by what is out there. As the PC is new I just want a new gpu that is W7 complaint and works with a PSU running at 255w. I have seen suggestions on other forums about this http://www.ebuyer.com/product/173705
anyone with any other suggestions?

It isn't a dell compact model is it ? regardless if it is nor not can you link us to the model of the computer u have brought.

In reply to a post by 12eason:

Despite what they say in the comments, it's not worth the risk. An overloaded PSU will fail on one rail and spike the others. If it doesn't have the right circuit protection built in it'll trash components on your motherboard. Ebuyers value PSUs are dirt cheap anyway.

I doubt it need 400watts, they go above what the card really needs, but I still would not risk it. power supplies are pretty cheap, even a good make these days, but if the computer uses when of those compact power supplies, then that could be expensive.

I agree with the OP it is all so complicated now.

Saying all that, I currently have a power hungry P4 ht with a ridiculously hungry x1950pro card from the 80s or something, along with 4 harddrives and some PCI cards. I was running them all off a 350w PSU for a year or so before the onboard sound started to fail. I then had to add an old soundblaster platinum Ex, complete with external box and secondary card. That made it bluescreen randomly, but it lasted a good few months before it started to annoy me. Then I took a 150W PSU out of another old box, literally hammered it into two of the 5.25" drive bays and spliced the motherboard power sensors.

It's very noisy atm.

re:Then I took a 150W PSU out of another old box, literally hammered it into two of the 5.25" drive bays and spliced the motherboard power sensors.

It's very noisy atm.

Could I refer you to the bottom line of kwikbreak's sig.

If you can't fix it with a hammer you've got an electrical problem.

I have an ATI HD4670 which you can get for around £50, runs all the latest games no probs, and that's at resolution of 1920x1080.

I believe the technical term is 'percussive maintenance'.

sorry haven't time to log on.

PC Is a ZooStorm

Was looking at the HD6650, but PC world (who I visited had only a customer return!)
The Cov branch had very few GPU's as does DA Computers in my home town & the idiots who sold me a m-f VGA cable despite asking for a M/M VGA cable don't carry it in stock
Now |'ve taken the money out the bank I want to get the gpu & PSU pronto.

http://www.dealtime.co.uk/xPF-Zoostorm-Zoostorm-Pent...
full specs here

is this any good? http://www.dacomputers.com/store.php?prodcategory=Ca...

If I get the HD4670 then this PSU is about the dearest I can go for.

Edited by blfamily (Fri 19-Mar-10 22:02:06)

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

sorry haven't time to log on.

PC Is a ZooStorm

Was looking at the HD6650, but PC world (who I visited had only a customer return!)
The Cov branch had very few GPU's as does DA Computers in my home town & the idiots who sold me a m-f VGA cable despite asking for a M/M VGA cable don't carry it in stock
Now |'ve taken the money out the bank I want to get the gpu & PSU pronto.

Looks as if its a standard atx case.. have a quick look inside and check the psu says something like atx 2.1 ...

would actually at this point say get an 56xx series and a 500w psu if your budget can afford it

In reply to a post by Taras:

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

sorry haven't time to log on.

PC Is a ZooStorm

Was looking at the HD6650, but PC world (who I visited had only a customer return!)
The Cov branch had very few GPU's as does DA Computers in my home town & the idiots who sold me a m-f VGA cable despite asking for a M/M VGA cable don't carry it in stock
Now |'ve taken the money out the bank I want to get the gpu & PSU pronto.

Looks as if its a standard atx case.. have a quick look inside and check the psu says something like atx 2.1 ...

would actually at this point say get an 56xx series and a 500w psu if your budget can afford it

Sorry I meant a HD3650

Edited by blfamily (Fri 19-Mar-10 21:15:29)

We're up to 36k already? I've not been keeping up.

Features :
Complies with the latest Intel ATX12V
Protection OVP/UVP/OPP/SCP
Option : OCP
5 Output Voltage (ATX12V 1.3，label show 6 Output Voltage )
Option : 6 Output Voltage (ATX12V 2.0，label show 6 Output Voltage )
Silent Fan Speed Control
Build in DC remote ON/OFF , PG/PF TTL signal
Operating temperature range：0℃ to 40℃
MTBF 100Khrs minimum at 25℃
Meet FCC:Class B
Meet CISPR22 : Class B
Meet BSMI : Class B
Meet CUL(UL60950)
Meet TUV(EN60950)
Meet CB(IEC60950)

AC Input:
Input Voltage:230V
Input Frequency:47Hz~63Hz
Input Current:
230Vac / 2.5A max.
Efficiency:>70%
Output Power:255W
+5V&+3.3V Combined Power 115W
+12V Max.Power 200W

PSU is a CWT PUFP255P

Cheap PSUs are always a bad idea; they are noisy and very likely to fry your other components. Tell us your total budget for GPU/PSU and what you need the new GPU for and you will get more sensible recommendations.

Regards,
Steve

In reply to a post by blfamily:

Features :
Complies with the latest Intel ATX12V
Protection OVP/UVP/OPP/SCP
Option : OCP
5 Output Voltage (ATX12V 1.3，label show 6 Output Voltage )
Option : 6 Output Voltage (ATX12V 2.0，label show 6 Output Voltage )
Silent Fan Speed Control
Build in DC remote ON/OFF , PG/PF TTL signal
Operating temperature range：0℃ to 40℃
MTBF 100Khrs minimum at 25℃
Meet FCC:Class B
Meet CISPR22 : Class B
Meet BSMI : Class B
Meet CUL(UL60950)
Meet TUV(EN60950)
Meet CB(IEC60950)

AC Input:
Input Voltage:230V
Input Frequency:47Hz~63Hz
Input Current:
230Vac / 2.5A max.
Efficiency:>70%
Output Power:255W
+5V&+3.3V Combined Power 115W
+12V Max.Power 200W

PSU is a CWT PUFP255P

pretty nasty psu for the cpu alone if you had put a any pci-e card in there it would have likely not work ..

As sjr said can you give us a budget for the combine psu and gfx card replacements.. also tell us if u can order online or not and also the urgency .

In reply to a post by sjr:

Cheap PSUs are always a bad idea; they are noisy and very likely to fry your other components. Tell us your total budget for GPU/PSU and what you need the new GPU for and you will get more sensible recommendations.

Regards,
Steve

Rubbish, the ones from ebuyer are solid performers.

In reply to a post by blfamily:

Why is nothing easy these days?

My PC
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core E6300, 2.8Ghz, 2MB Cache, 1066Mhz FSB
Hard Drive: 500 GB SATA 2 HDD, 7200RPM, 16MB Cache
Memory: 2 GB DDR2 800Mhz
Graphics: Intel® GMA 3100
Optical Drive: 22x Super Multi DVDRW
Connectivity: 6 x USB 2.0 ports (2 Front)
10/100 Ethernet LAN
1 set 5.1 channel Audio jacks (3 jacks),1 x PCI Express x 16 Slot, 1 x PCI Express x1 Slot, 2 x PCI Bus Slots
2 x PS2 Ports (Keyboard and Mouse), 1 x Parallel Port, 1 x Serial Port, 1 x VGA Port
Operating system: Windows® 7 Home Premium
255w PSU

I am after a £40-60 graphics card & I am totally confused by what is out there. As the PC is new I just want a new gpu that is W7 complaint and works with a PSU running at 255w. I have seen suggestions on other forums about this http://www.ebuyer.com/product/173705
anyone with any other suggestions?

Get that gfx card and this quickfind : 120674 psu - I have used sumavision psu's before and do 5 day super saver comes out @ 69

In reply to a post by Taras:

Get that gfx card and this quickfind : 120674 psu - I have used sumavision psu's before and do 5 day super saver comes out @ 69

Doesn't have a PCI-E plug.

I bought the HD4670 today along with a jeantech 405w psu from PC World (only source of the gpu).
Installed PSU - pretty similar to the one I had right down to the code on the instructions, then knocked off the Intel Extreme graphics, and installed the HD4670 & switched off.

On restart, found the DVD would not open. Swapped cables around, cured it. The HD wouldn't start - confirming faulty plug. Swapped back and HD still wouldn't boot. As far as I know I had done nothing wrong, maybe the issues on day 1 - would not start out of the box; day 2/3 windows would not start and had to do a reinstall, and now HD failure!

I've ordered the replacement from Amazon & the original goes back Monday. Hoping this is just a one off. Will speak to my brother in law when he is back and get him to do the PSU & GPU for me, he has built computers before, just in case it was me - which I doubt faulty PSU & possible faulty HD or controller ruined my evening of playing some Demo Games.

In reply to a post by blfamily:

I bought the HD4670 today along with a jeantech 405w psu from PC World (only source of the gpu).
Installed PSU - pretty similar to the one I had right down to the code on the instructions, then knocked off the Intel Extreme graphics, and installed the HD4670 & switched off.

On restart, found the DVD would not open. Swapped cables around, cured it. The HD wouldn't start - confirming faulty plug. Swapped back and HD still wouldn't boot. As far as I know I had done nothing wrong, maybe the issues on day 1 - would not start out of the box; day 2/3 windows would not start and had to do a reinstall, and now HD failure!

I've ordered the replacement from Amazon & the original goes back Monday. Hoping this is just a one off. Will speak to my brother in law when he is back and get him to do the PSU & GPU for me, he has built computers before, just in case it was me - which I doubt faulty PSU & possible faulty HD or controller ruined my evening of playing some Demo Games.

sounds as if one of the rails had been pushed to the limit ! .. I had jeantec psu blow up on me

jeantech aren't very good.

I'll scream at PC World next week. & get my money back.

The HD4670 should ba okay shouldn.t it?

Edited by blfamily (Sat 20-Mar-10 18:11:26)

Due to no answers (darn Rugger I know!) I will asume that for all intense and purpose the power spike that destroyed the hard drive may have had some detrermental effect on the gpu so returning it is seen the best and only option - since this is the 3rd time of visiting PC World in as many days, I do not want to return yet again.

I know the problem was likely to be caused by the psu - one of the connectors fell to pieces as disconnected it! But it seems strange that the PC failed to start on first boot and then a day later Windows failed to start, that could also indicate a faulty hard drive or controller? what ever caused the problem I can't figure out how swapping the last connect for the first connector caused a power spike, as the connectors are all on the same run.

It is a shame that I got rid of my Dimension 3000, wife's idea of tidying up. Thank God she has a laptop!

In reply to a post by blfamily:

Due to no answers (darn Rugger I know!) I will asume that for all intense and purpose the power spike that destroyed the hard drive may have had some detrermental effect on the gpu so returning it is seen the best and only option - since this is the 3rd time of visiting PC World in as many days, I do not want to return yet again.

I know the problem was likely to be caused by the psu - one of the connectors fell to pieces as disconnected it! But it seems strange that the PC failed to start on first boot and then a day later Windows failed to start, that could also indicate a faulty hard drive or controller? what ever caused the problem I can't figure out how swapping the last connect for the first connector caused a power spike, as the connectors are all on the same run.

It is a shame that I got rid of my Dimension 3000, wife's idea of tidying up. Thank God she has a laptop!

I was like "huh the hdd died" .. and then re-read your post. Definitely sounds more than likely the psu caused this. I can't comment on the gfx card as you have no spare to test on. in theory it should be ok but it may not be.

Do you not have a novatech outlet or something near you? pcworld just sell rubbish, overpriced useless rubbish.

In reply to a post by blfamily:

The HD4670 should ba okay shouldn.t it?

Imo it should be fine. To me it sounds like it was a factory fault. The psu probably never worked.

Reading this thread further it looks like the OP got a cheap PSU and fried some components
I'll say it again, cheap PSUs are never a good idea, even if they don't fry your components they're usually noisy as hell.

Regards,
Steve

I used a Sumvision PSU on a mega budget build for a friend a while ago, never again. It is the loudest PSU I ever heard

Regards,
Steve

It honestly depends on the make. Certainly the cheap high street brands are useless. I'm also not convinced the psu failed, but rather it was just faulty.

OP: can you not take out graphics card, replace old psu then test the system again?

In reply to a post by sjr:

I used a Sumvision PSU on a mega budget build for a friend a while ago, never again. It is the loudest PSU I ever heard

Regards,
Steve

yeah on a mega budget its fine but otherwise no

In reply to a post by 12eason:

It honestly depends on the make. Certainly the cheap high street brands are useless. I'm also not convinced the psu failed, but rather it was just faulty.

OP: can you not take out graphics card, replace old psu then test the system again?

Yep sure with a 255w psu .. whats the bet it will boot up but with no video output

In reply to a post by 12eason:

It honestly depends on the make. Certainly the cheap high street brands are useless. I'm also not convinced the psu failed, but rather it was just faulty.

Well that's one reason why they're cheap, quality control is a bit lax to say the least.

Regards,
Steve

In reply to a post by Taras:

Yep sure with a 255w psu .. whats the bet it will boot up but with no video output

Yes, but without the graphics card it'll be back to standard, and the OP will know whether the HD is fried.

It is, but as I have said elsewhere, it may have ben failing. A new PC should "fail to start Windows"and need a reinstall in the first few day of use!!!!

the gpu went back, just to be safe.

I think the moral of this thread is; don't buy a Zoostorm PC.

to late now.

anyway back to Power Supplies

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Computer-Supply-1xPCIe-3xSAT...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/450W-Gold-Silent-Power-Suppl...

any good? the pcworld one was £35

Get this one http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152505
A trusted brand at an absolute bargain price

Regards,
Steve

In reply to a post by sjr:

Get this one http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152505
A trusted brand at an absolute bargain price

Regards,
Steve

I doubt OCZ manufacture those, but I suspect its a rebrand of a trusted make...OCZ have a name to uphold

And too late if not already ordered, it has gone back up to £40 (was £25).

Regards,
Steve

i have just installed a radeon hd 4650 card to replace the now considered legacy card radeon x1600.
replacing the card, once i had the covers off, took less than a minute.
i have a similar system to yours, the new card is amazing compared to the old one.
i bought the card from maplins, it cost 49.99, and inside the box is a game called - Compny of Heroes)
beechman in

never mind.

New PC is here. No new electrical smell and the graphics isn't as poor as before - I can read the text on TB. So far so good.