How do I find the correct card?

[1kayaker]

I have a "decent" store bought box. It is a HP DC7800 convertible minitower. It is running a Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0Ghz with 4GB ram. The powersupply is 365Watts and I know it has a PCIe 16x slot. I don't know if that is a 2.0 pcie or 2.1 pcie or anything else. I do know that this system was available with a GeForce 8440GS. My system has the crappy onboard graphics. I just want a better faster card. I am not a hardcore gamer.

 

[Barfo]

PCIe is backwards compatible so it doesn't matter if it's 2.1, 2.0 or 1.0. Just make sure the card fits in your case and is suitable to your PSU.

 

[Seero]

PCIe is backwards compatible so it doesn't matter if it's 2.1, 2.0 or 1.0. Just make sure the card fits in your case and is suitable to your PSU.

Agreed. However, OP may want/need to replace PSU for a "better" video card. Newer <> better.

 

[Cerb]

Does it look the picture on the top of this page?
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en...8-3459241.html

If so, you will need a low-profile video card.

The best currently available, TMK, are:
http://www.powercolor.com/us/products_features.asp?id=255#Specification Powercolor 5750
http://www.palit.biz/main/vgapro.php?id=1392 Palit GTS 450

You need to open you case, now, and see how long of a card can fit. Make sure to add a bit for the PCI-e connector and its cable. With a 365W, you should be OK, power-wise. But, do verify that your PSU is that, and not the 240W I'm seeing on the above-linked page.

 

[betasub]

^ Hmm, good point Cerb: that's a business slim-desktop you've linked.
If that's what OP has, low-profile card is a must. The two you've linked are far better than any of the original configurable cards from HP.

 

[1kayaker]

Apparently that model (DC7800) was made in three form factors. I have the one on page three of this pdf link. Page 16 shows a bunch of the graphics cards it was available with. Unfortunately I didn't get it with any of those. I'm now looking for the best options for current cards. Maybe one of those listed would be good even though they are several years old. I just don't want to pay more for old technology.

I've been coming here to anandtech for a long time leaning on guys like you for solutions. You guys really know your stuff!

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12744_na/12744_na.PDF

 

[happy medium]

Apparently that model (DC7800) was made in three form factors. I have the one on page three of this pdf link. Page 16 shows a bunch of the graphics cards it was available with. Unfortunately I didn't get it with any of those. I'm now looking for the best options for current cards. Maybe one of those listed would be good even though they are several years old. I just don't want to pay more for old technology.

I've been coming here to anandtech for a long time leaning on guys like you for solutions. You guys really know your stuff!

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12744_na/12744_na.PDF

ok good, with that case you can grab a 5750 for 99$ AR. You power supply will be fine.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-309-_-Product

If thats too pricey for ya go for something a little slower hd5760 for about 80$ or 65$ AR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102871&cm_re=5670-_-14-102-871-_-Product

Next one down in price and performance is a Nvidia gt240 with ddr5.
for 75$ or 35$ AR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...50452&cm_re=gt240_ddr5-_-14-150-452-_-Product

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Well you can get any full height card. The main things to look for, in terms of compatibility with your system, are

Card length: Hard drive, hard drive bays, cables, or SATA/USB ports on the motherboard could be blocked by too long of a card.

Card width: A card with a big heatsink and/or shroud might also block some necessary ports on the motherboard, or maybe the southbridge heatsink prevents such a big card to be installed.

Power consumption: There's probably only a 300-350W, which will restrict what cards you can get.

The good news is that you won't have to invest in old tech or old cards. You have a modern PCI-E x16 slot available so you can get any new card at a reasonable price.

Any card mentioned so far should be fine. Although without knowing the above restrictions, the safe bet is to get a card that doesn't require a 6-pin PEG power connector. Cards that don't require an external power connector don't need much power (and should run on your stock power supply) and aren't very big (so they should fit without obstructing anything). Also it's possible your power supply doesn't have extra power connectors for a video card that needs one.

So you should look at:
Geforce GT 240
Geforce GT 430
Radeon HD 5670
Radeon HD 5570

If you figure out size and power aren't a big issue, then you have free range to get just about any card.

 

[1kayaker]

Well, this system isn't looking so bad now! Maybe it is "decent" with the E8400 3.0Ghz with 4GB ram. If I upgrade the video it seems this will serve me well. Agree?

 

[happy medium]

A 7 inch 5750 or smaller 5670/ gt240 will fit in your 18.5 inch case and with your 365 watt power supply you will be fine (5750 uses 85 watts max). You wont need a pci-e power connector, just use the supplied adapter with the 5750, it uses one 4 pin to 6 pin or 2 4pin to 6 pin. I have one, i should know.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[happy medium]

Well, this system isn't looking so bad now! Maybe it is "decent" with the E8400 3.0Ghz with 4GB ram. If I upgrade the video it seems this will serve me well. Agree?

Yes , throw in a 5750 and play most games at med/high settings @ 1650x1050 resolution.

I had a e8400 @ 3.6, 4gb ram and a 5750, it was a good gamer and descent system.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

A 7 inch 5750 or smaller 5670/ gt240 will fit in your 18.5 inch case and with your 365 watt power supply you will be fine (5750 uses 85 watts max). You wont need a pci-e power connector, just use the supplied adapter with the 5750, it uses one 4 pin to 6 pin or 2 4pin to 6 pin. I have one, i should know.

He needs to look inside the case for any obstacles and he needs to see if he has spare power connectors available.

Better to be safe than sorry. No reason to leap for you look. Look both ways before crossing the street. No rush to push. Gander before you go.

Or just make bold claims with a false sense of certainty like you always do. I mean you'll do anything just to have people do exactly what you say.

 

[happy medium]

He needs to look inside the case for any obstacles and he needs to see if he has spare power connectors available.

Better to be safe than sorry. No reason to leap for you look. Look both ways before crossing the street. No rush to push. Gander before you go.

Or just make bold claims with a false sense of certainty like you always do. I mean you'll do anything just to have people do exactly what you say.

Considering my daughter has the same system and I tried my 5750 in it, I would say with certainy it will fit and has enough power adapters.

I said, "I have one I should know"

Anything else?

 

[tweakboy]

ok good, with that case you can grab a 5750 for 99$ AR. You power supply will be fine.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-309-_-Product

If thats too pricey for ya go for something a little slower hd5760 for about 80$ or 65$ AR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-871-_-Product

Next one down in price and performance is a Nvidia gt240 with ddr5.
for 75$ or 35$ AR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-452-_-Product

Thanks hm, :thumbsup:

 

[1kayaker]

Thanks to everyone. I will open the case and see what might be in the way and how much room I have. Sounds like I can get just about anything as long as it meets the power requirements! Good news!