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Graphics Card Proposed Upgrade - Need Advice

Associate
Joined
4 Dec 2011
Posts
31
Hi guys

I am trying to help upgrade a relatives old machine for them - just wanted to know if I can put a 'newer' graphics card in a old motherboard (and ultimately for future reference do graphics cards need a certain specification of PC to work, like for example CPUs only fit in a certain socket.)

I am wanting to put a Sapphire HD 6570 into the existing setup which is as follows:
  • Motherboard: Packard Bell EG43M
  • Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300
  • Socket 775 LGA
  • RAM: 6GB DDR2 @ 400MHz

Any advice, suggestions or remarks welcome.
Many Thanks! :)
 
ok so other that the requirement of the pci-e x16 slot and the 6 pin power (if needed) there is no other requirement for the PC? :)
Thanks for your answers! :)

EDIT: Light gaming, and general internet, word processing. The current GPU is a Radeon HD 5450.
 
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RAM: 6GB DDR2 @ 400MHz

isn't it meant to be 800?

What's the reason for upgrading? Is there something that's specifically not working well?

CPU-Z says 400Mhz - its PC2-6400 - 2x 2GB & 2x 1GB

Reason for upgrading was that I am reformatting the PC as there is a lot of junk on it and its running slow. Also I thought that I'd look in to a new GPU as the performance for games could be better.
Finally, I forgot to add - the PCs use is also for a bit of Photoshop

From looking around the net, some may require the 6 pin power connector, so double check you have the connection on the psu.

Thanks, I think the PSU doesn't have a 6 pin power connector, so might be looking for a GPU without that requirement.
 
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I'd probably not spend anything on it - doesn't seem worth it. Tell them you've bought them a year or two - after which they'll need about £500 for a new one.
 
6570 will be fine, it doesn't need any extra power connectors. You could probably stretch to a 6670 as well.

RAM is Double Data Rate (DDR), so double the 400mhz and you'll have your true RAM speed, which is 800mhz.

What games are they? Going from a 5450 to a 6570 seems a tad small.
 
Does it have a spare molex connector? You can use a Molex to PCI-E 6 pin convertor.

Yes I have a spare molex. Never knew that I could convert that - thanks for the info!

I'd probably not spend anything on it - doesn't seem worth it. Tell them you've bought them a year or two - after which they'll need about £500 for a new one.

I think that is what they want - to extend the life by a year or so - then get a new PC when the funds are available.

6570 will be fine, it doesn't need any extra power connectors. You could probably stretch to a 6670 as well.

RAM is Double Data Rate (DDR), so double the 400mhz and you'll have your true RAM speed, which is 800mhz.

What games are they? Going from a 5450 to a 6570 seems a tad small.

Thanks for the information regarding the RAM, won't forget that!
Ok, the games are mainly RTS plus a few flying games.
 
Also, I think that the PSU in the current computer is 250W. Would this cause an issue if I took the current gfx card out and put the 6670 or 6570 in?
 
A 6670/6570 should be fine on that PSU. Would try to stretch to a 6670 as it will give more performance gains, as well as being able to reuse it in the new PC.
 
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