Help please with GPU upgrade

[Miss_Kiss]

Hello,

I need your help please: my other half's birthday is on the way, and I'd like to get him a new GPU, as he can't stop playing WoW, and definitely needs a new one. We've got a HP Compaq Presario SR2129UK with a GeForce 7500LE card. My budget would be around Ł100, but flexible (max Ł150).

Thanks in advance!!!

[VonBlade]

According to the Compaq site it has a PCIx16 slot in it. I'd highly recommend either :

a GTX260 if you want the simplicity of installation (it should be fine with the drivers already installed).

Or for pure "bang for buck" I'd buy a ATI 4870. Naturally this will require uninstalling the old drivers and installing the ATI ones.

Depends how PC savvy he is as to which way you want to go. Either would be an excellent option.

VB

[PeterStoba]

A 7500LE is (iirc) bus powered, the PSU might not have any PCI express power connectors and even if it did might not be up for the job. Might wanna factor a decent PSU into the cost.

[VonBlade]

I was working on the belief that all GPUs come with molex to PCI adaptors these days and so it's more sensible to see what you can get working first and then get a PSU if necessary. Even if it's a 400w POS it should cope well enough.

[Miss_Kiss]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the advice! I'll check the prices, and will see.

[ToeJam]

Originally Posted by name='Miss_Kiss'

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the advice! I'll check the prices, and will see.

might be able to pick up a second hand 1 if you dont like the prices:P

[Rastalovich]

Just to add to the commotion, an 8600GTS 512m plays the game at full settings afaic. I built 2 pcs a few years ago mainly for this purpose.

So anything above that card will be fine. Although having the scope to pay for a 260, u don't necessarily have to.

Another big thing for this game, and other online games, is to have plenty of memory. Memory is so cheap, u'd be best to make sure u have as much as the mobo can handle.

Not much point in splashing cash on a 260 and leaving the compaq with 512m.

[Miss_Kiss]

Originally Posted by name='Rastalovich'

Just to add to the commotion, an 8600GTS 512m plays the game at full settings afaic. I built 2 pcs a few years ago mainly for this purpose.

So anything above that card will be fine. Although having the scope to pay for a 260, u don't necessarily have to.

Another big thing for this game, and other online games, is to have plenty of memory. Memory is so cheap, u'd be best to make sure u have as much as the mobo can handle.

Not much point in splashing cash on a 260 and leaving the compaq with 512m.

I took care of that last year. We've got 3GB now.

[Rastalovich]

hmmm 3g..

Do they have 2,3 or 4 memory slots ?

Reason I ask, as 3g is an odd value, most mobos will have the dual channel possibility. For this to work well, u would need to install the memory in pairs, otherwize it'll operate in single channel. In the ballpark of half the speed.

If u have 4 slots and have 2x1g and 2x512m it should work in dual channel ok.

If u have 4 slots and have 2x512m and 1x2g, it'll use single channel.

Same with 2 slots, 1g and a 2g.

Inherently, the dual slots have to be occupied with the same size memory stick. Anything odd and it'll default to single channel.

[zak4994]

I doubt that running it in single channel would affect his Wow gameplay much.

Also agreeing with you Rasta about the 8600GT. Cheap yet perfect for WoW.

GTX260 and the equivalents are a bit ott for WoW.

I wonder what the fps is though in WoW with a GTX295 lol.