Help please with GPU upgrade

M

Miss_Kiss

New member
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!!!
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
name='Rastalovich' said:
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.
Click to expand...

I took care of that last year. :rolleyes: We've got 3GB now. :D
 
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.
 
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.
 
It'd mainly help the system as a whole. Personally I'd go the extent of taking memory out if it meant going to dual channel. 3g to 2g if it were 3x 1g strips. If it were 3x 1g in 4 slots, I'd get another 1g or buy 2x2g.

Thing u'd notice it mostly in something like WoW is when u run into an area with 50million other players entering ur screen. It won't solve the slowdown, but it'd improve it.

The best systems in the world won't solve the mass player slowdown in online games.
 
The Presario model she has, has a 300-350W PSU (varies from model to model) that does not come with a PCIe power connector, so she'll need an adapter, or a new PSU.

For a 350W PSU I would not go any higher then an GTS250 (aka 9800GTX+ / 8800GTS 512). I think it could manage it, with the PCIe adapter (2 MOLEX -> 6 PIN PCIe).

So unless she doesn't plan on upgrading the PSU also to a 550W+, I would not touch the GTX260/HD4870 just yet.
 
name='Rastalovich' said:
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.
Click to expand...

We've got 4 slots: 2x1g and 2x 512m. I must say it did help a lot adding the 2x1g, waaay faster. :)
 
personaly i would say ither the 4850 or like other members said pick up a cheap decent PSU maybe 600w and get the 260 as they are amazing cards
 
Ooops guys, I think I've left the most importatn detail out (just remembered):

I actually wanted to get a new GPU for him, because he can't wait for the new Diablo to get out, and for that he will need a more decent GPU. Would the 260 be up for that as well?

(sorry guys, that's how I am: forgetting the most important things, and putting things to a safe place - mostly never found again) :crazy:
 
name='Miss_Kiss' said:
Ooops guys, I think I've left the most importatn detail out (just remembered):

I actually wanted to get a new GPU for him, because he can't wait for the new Diablo to get out, and for that he will need a more decent GPU. Would the 260 be up for that as well?

(sorry guys, that's how I am: forgetting the most important things, and putting things to a safe place - mostly never found again) :crazy:
Click to expand...

new diablo wont require much graphics tbh its just the way the game is, 260 will dominate it as will a 4870/4890
 
personaly i would reccomend the 4890 then its cheap and wil beat a 260 and trade punches (in some games) with the 275
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Need help with Fan Headers please !!!
Replies
2
Views
3K
Terry1978
T
H
Random PC Black screen !!HELP PLEASE!!
Replies
8
Views
2K
hournybiscuit
H
O
Help with x58 upgrade, advice please for a good 2k experience!
Replies
8
Views
2K
AlienALX
AlienALX
K
Help me with figuring out what I need to upgrade. :)
Replies
7
Views
2K
Avet
Avet
E
Upgrade advice cpu or gpu
Replies
7
Views
2K
Avet
Avet
Back
Top