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Graphics card for Compaq?

Taxman

Taxman

Taxman

Associate
Joined
10 Sep 2004
Posts
31
Location
Sunny Kent
I bought a Compaq Presario for a friend, tho it doesnt really do anything like what id hoped for, im just about getting 60 FPS (and that before smoke etc)on CS 1.6!!

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium
System Manufacturer: Compaq-Presario
System Model: GU668AA-ABU SR5219UK
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4400+ ~2.3GHz
Memory: 894MB RAM
Page File: 1110MB used, 936MB available
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
type: GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Display Memory: 313 MB
Dedicated Memory: 122 MB
Shared Memory: 191 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)

Im guessing theres a bottle neck in either the Graphics card, or Ram (Vista is stupidly thirsty)

Can any1 advise on a course of action?

1) Use the onboard card and buy another put it in the PCIE slot and go for SLI? (no sure thats possible?)
2) Disable onboard and use a standard card. Considering the small PSU, what card would fit? (looking to spend £100?)
 
Thanks.

Think I might be pushing my luck if I plumped for a 8600?

wow, thats a good price on that ram, I was thinking of mebbe 2/4GB Ready boost, but I wassnt sure if that would help?
 
Hmm, after reading a bit, quie a few of you are saying the 8600 isnt a gaming card? Is the 7600 better, or just better value, considering the spec of the PC and budget?

While this PC is nowhere near gaming standard im hoping I can put somthing better than mine sweeper on it :P
 
If you're spending around 8600 money, look at the ATI 3850. Not the best card out there, but for 110 it spanks any of the cheaper competition into the ground, being around 60% faster than the 8600GTS!

Its definately RAM and VPU holding you back though, 1GB can be survived on, especially at lower resolutions, but being completely honest the graphics chip is a pile of *******! There's been much faster chipsets out than the 6150 for over 3 years!

Stick in 2GB of RAM, and an ATI 3850 and you'll be laughing at the difference in gaming!
 
Just opened it up, its got a measley 300W PSU, but the 3850 suggests 450Watt or greater power supply with 75 Watt 6-pin PCI Express power connector recommended.

Which is a shame as that looks like a nice card.
 
Guys, you appear to be forgetting that he said that he wants to spend £100.

Now if we spec the 3850 we'd need to spec another PSU, and to be honest spending that much wouldn't be worth it without getting the extra RAM... It'll probably be around £170 in upgrades...
 
lol Lightnix!! ** spot on....

GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) P... 1
Gigabyte SUPERB 46... 1
PowerColor ATI Rad... 1

Subtotal £144.97
£170.34 inc VAT

I can spend the money, if needed, but I know how I get with PC components, it just turns into a money pit :P

how much bang do I get for the extra £70 in your opinion?
 
For comparison, I'm using a 4-year old Radeon 9600 Pro card, and even that is much quicker than the Geforce 6150. Vista's memory-hungry so an extra 1GB RAM for gaming is recommended.
 
Ok its 4am, and I feel like im chasing my tail.

It was today I bought the Compaq, tho after I got it home I realised how crap it was, and it needed updating. The unit + monitor cost £409.99.

Now im thinking, if I do what Lightnix suggested, it takes my spend to £479
If I buy 2 GB ram, PSU and G Card, it takes my spend to £579.

Now, thats clearly decent PC territory, and for £629 I just specced up...


Intel Core 2 Quad LGA775 Q6600 2.40GHz Retail / Asus P5K / 2GB Corsair PC2-6400C4 DDR2 Dual Channel Kit - Bundle £279.61 inc VAT

OCZ StealthXStream 600w Silent SLI Ready ATX2 Power Supply £46.99 inc

Maxtor Diamondmax 20 160GB SATA-II 2MB Cache - OEM £30.54 inc VAT

NEC AD-7170A 18x DVD±RW IDE Dual Layer ReWriter £17.61 inc VAT

Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 3850 Pro 256MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI PCI-
Express) - Retail £108.09 inc VAT

Acer 19" P193W-D Widescreen LCD Monitor - Black/Silver £146.86 inc VAT

As far as a case goes, I have an old ATX is should go in?


For £50 (above the top spend on the Compaq) I can get a seriously better PC and it will be considerably better to upgrade and futureproof. Id be silly not to do this, right?

(I know ive skimped on bits like OC fans, and the graphics card to an extent, but this can be added later)
 
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Thats not a bad respec. I think you'd be better spending a little more on a non acer monitor though and changing to a different HDD :) You can also do the bundle cheaper :)

Core 2 Duo Q6600 (TWO) £162.14
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L £63.44
OCZ 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400C4 (TWO) £35.24
OCZ StealthXStream 600w (TWO) £46.99
Hitachi Deskstar 7K160 160GB SATA-II OEM £31.71
Samsung SH-S203NBEBN 20x DVD±RW SATA £19.96
HIS ATI Radeon HD 3850 Pro 256MB (TWO) £105.74
Akasa Serial ATA 45cm Blue £3.51
LG L204WS 20" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Silver/Black - £135.11

Total = £603.84 + P&P

This spec, as far as Im aware, gets you a better screen, a more reliable harddrive brand (which seems to be a bit faster) and a well known clocking series board, for a slightly cheaper price :)
 
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