Video Card Recommend

[deKoven]

Says it all; I'm looking to put a new card (well, not new card; this dog is running on onboard video.) in my system. I've not a whole lot to spend (I live on SocSec.) but could manage a couple hundred. Anyone got a recommendation for a card in that range ????

All suggestions WILL be perused but there's no sense in recommending a card I can't afford.
:indecisiveness:

[Meshman]

You don't mention the rest of the computer's specs and which version of the game that you are using. No use suggesting a small-block Chevy, if it's going into a Datsun pickup. So to speak...

[deKoven]

You don't mention the rest of the computer's specs and which version of the game that you are using. No use suggesting a small-block Chevy, if it's going into a Datsun pickup. So to speak...

Not sure that's so relevant; I'm using an HP machine with onboard graphics. This is a 64 bit puter.

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.140303-2144)

System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: p6754y
BIOS: BIOS Date: 09/07/10 08:41:32 Ver: 6.04
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 640 Processor (4 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3840MB RAM

Card name: ATI Radeon HD 4200

Card? As I said, I'm using onboard graphics. Reason this has come up is that the graphics card (HD 4200) is a number of years old and there's no longer an update driver for it. At least I was unable to find one.
So any card (I should have said in the beginning, specified NOT a Radeon) that is a reasonable games playing replacement will be better than that one.

And I'm using FSX if that matters. But am currently mostly interested in NeverWinter, not FSX. Does not mean I don't fly anymore, just that isn't my focus at the mo.

[Wulf190]

deKoven,

The first thing you will have to do is upgrade your power supply unit. The one that comes standard with your system is only 250watts, which is not enough to run a descent video card. I did a quick search of the interwebs and found this unit at newegg which will possibly fit your case.

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Gaming-Reply-Only/Need-help-tips-on-upgrading-GFX-and-PSU-for-p6754y-PC/td-p/1152965

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182200

With a 630watt power your only real limitation is how long of a card your computer case can handle.

[deKoven]

deKoven,

The first thing you will have to do is upgrade your power supply unit. The one that comes standard with your system is only 250watts, which is not enough to run a descent video card. I did a quick search of the interwebs and found this unit at newegg which will possibly fit your case.

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Gaming-Reply-Only/Need-help-tips-on-upgrading-GFX-and-PSU-for-p6754y-PC/td-p/1152965

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182200

With a 630watt power your only real limitation is how long of a card your computer case can handle.

Fairy 'nuff. Been looking around for PSU that would fit. Hmm, is looking more and more like I should find a generic base system and beef it up a little bit rather than trying to build a silk purse outta the HP. Thanks for the help although I would/will stay away from the vid card there. I don't want another Radeon for any reason. Give me nVidia any time.

I'm thinking that with the PSU an nVidia 640 card would be fairly good.

[AndyG43]

I'm thinking that with the PSU an nVidia 640 card would be fairly good.

I have a GT630 in my system, chews up anything FS9 can throw at it, no noticeable problems in FSX either (although I've not got that one chock full of addons, unlike FS9) - mind you, the 12 gig of RAM undoubtedly helps a little. The only gripe I have with the 630 is that the passiv (and massive) heatsink stops me using one of my expansion slots, which is possibly why the 640 has gone back to using a fan! :-D

So, based on my experience with the 630, a new PSU and the GT640 sounds like a plan.

[Snurdley]

It's out of stock, but I bought this one to upgrade for P3D - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130836

It didn't make much difference in FSX, but should be a great improvement in other games that are more video card based. It made a big impact in P3D.

Here's another one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130911

[JoeW]

You don't mention the rest of the computer's specs and which version of the game that you are using. No use suggesting a small-block Chevy, if it's going into a Datsun pickup. So to speak...

But when the light turns green .............. It's great.