Graphics Upgrade Advice

[Namsnik]

Graphics Upgrade Advice - Update: Thanks now ordered!

Hi,
I would be most grateful if someone could advise me how to upgrade the graphics performance on the following PC. Currently our requirements are limited to Sims, StarWars-Empire at war, Civilisation etc. However MS Flight Simulator is on an xmas list and with two ‘children over 16 our needs over the next few years can only increase!

Can I upgrade sufficiently/how far can I upgrade without upgrading the power supply (which would certainly invalidate the 4 year warranty/support).

Machine Specs:
Power: 355Watt CWT PUFP355P
Motherboard: GigabyteGA-G31M-ES2L
http://www.cwt.com.tw/english/2_product/1_detail.php?ID=998
Processor: Coe2Duo E7500 @ 2.93GHz
Memory: 3 GB DDRII 800
Hard Drive: WD Caviar Blue 500GB System info reports 3 partitions: 0=100mb, 1=445GB, 2 (size not reported)
On Board Graphics: Intel GMA 3100 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 4.0
Graphics Slot: PCI Express x16

 

[siumatfung]

i think honestly a new power supply would be best

if you can afford a premium on it will last you years if not something like

this

and depending on your budget i would give the new

6870 a go look pretty much bang for buck bargin

 

[Namsnik]

Thanks.
I take the point about power supply - my view too except that the PC has only recently been supplied (for study purposes) and has 4yr on-site warranty.

Judging by the £200+ price tag I would not imagine we would need as high a spec. for Graphics as a 6870. I was thinking that £100 would probably get me enough - perhaps the This Week Only http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-069-GI&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=. ????

I guess my first choice would be a less competent card that did not require a power supply upgrade. Is that really unrealistic given the sort of graphics performance I need?

Regarding the power supply: If I were to upgrade then I am sure that you have recommended a sound choice but what were you thinking of in terms of "If you can afford a premium on it?"

 

[Namsnik]

OK, I'll bite the bullet and invalidate the 4 year on-site warranty by replacing power and graphics. I am thinking that I want both the PC described in my first post and that in my signature to be able to run the games.

I agree power supply is important.
1. Amazed that OCUK sell this - it surely can't be reliable??
2. So what are my sensible choices?
OCZ StealthXStream 2 500W Power Supply [OCZ500SXS2] £49.98
OcUK Crusade 850W Quad Rail High Efficiency Power Supply £59.98 This week only
Or if as suggested I was willing to pay a bit more (in which case noise level would be a criteria) is this the sort of thing?
Coolermaster Silent Pro Gold 600W Power Supply £99.99


For graphics, as I said your suggestion of a 6870 seems a bit over the top for my needs and costs from £205. If I spend half that I could upgrade again in a couple of years if I need to. Do you agree? I would value a quiet card if possible. What would meet my needs do you reckon? Are the This week only deals listed here particularly good value? Or maybe this?:
GeForce GTS 450 OC 1024MB GDDR5 £107.99

Finally, will the pc in my signature with a x1950 run the latest MS flight simulator?

 

[VonScar]

Yo mate,

Get a 460 1 GIG for £144.00 think its from Gigabyte. That will paste all todays games and kick sand in the 450's face, and the 768 mb versions are even cheaper but slightly slower.

Cheers

Von

 

[Namsnik]

Thanks for the suggestions - really helpful. Subject to any other suggestions in the next couple of hours I am going for the following graphics. I selected this one particularly because it seems to be quiet. MSI GeForce GTX 460 Cyclone 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card with HAWX2 PC-Game £152.74


Now to decide on a quiet 500 - 600w power supply

if you can afford a premium on it will last you years if not something like

OCZ StealthXStream 2 500W Power Supply [OCZ500SXS2] £49.98

I am willing to pay a bit of a premium for it so any suggestions please? (Should I post in the hardware section?)

I don't really know what to look for but are any of these superir to the one suggested above?

OcUK Battle 650W Dual Rail High Efficiency Modular Power Supply £47.99

Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 500W Power Supply £69.99

Zalman ZM500-HP Heatpipe Cooled 500W Modular Power Supply [ZM500-HP] £72.99

Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 600W Power Supply £77.98

Corsair HX 650W ATX Modular SLI Compliant Power Supply (CMPSU-650HXUK) £99.99

I have now put a post about the power supply (linking to this one) on the General Hardware forum. If you have any advice about the power supply then please post there. Here is a link:
Pls spec me a quiet 500-600W power supply

 

[Dash RipRock]

i think honestly a new power supply would be best

if you can afford a premium on it will last you years if not something like

this

and depending on your budget i would give the new

6870 a go look pretty much bang for buck bargin

Nothing to do with the advice ,just to say i used to have a uk DC 2 ....what a car!!