New Graphics Card (replacing integrated)

[aldric]

New Graphics Card (replacing integrated) - help black screen installing!

HI all,

I'm new to the forum and see there are lots of helpful folk around that will hopefully assist in finding a new graphics card for me.

My desktop is a few years old now and I bought it from PC World (probably an evil place to mention on here!). I didn't realise that I had an integrated graphics card when I bought it, mainly because I didn't pay too much attention and I am not up to speed with all the technical terms!

Anyway, many years ago when I was at uni I loved playing a game called Diablo and I fancy trying my hand at Diablo III but my graphics card is not supported.

I don't want to spend a lot of money on a graphics card because I pretty much only want to play Diablo III with it just now and possibly WoW if I can persuade the mrs!

I don't really want to upgrade any other parts on the PC as that is probably a waste and I would be better buying a brand new PC?

I have looked on www.systemrequirementslab.com/ and it appears that the rest of my PC can run Diablo II but the card fails the test.

My integrated card is: NVIDIA GeForce 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i

Anyway, here is my spec can anyone suggest something nice and cheap that will work on medium/low settings? I can try to post more info if this isn't enough.


------------------

System Information

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Time of this report: 10/2/2012, 10:29:51

Machine name: G-PC

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.120402-0336)

Language: English (Regional Setting: English)

System Manufacturer: Packard Bell bv

System Model: IMEDIA X2424 AIO

BIOS: Default System BIOS

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz

Memory: 3070MB RAM

Page File: 1517MB used, 4856MB available

Windows Dir: CWindows

DirectX Version: DirectX 11

DX Setup Parameters: Not found

DxDiag Version: 7.00.6002.18107 32bit Unicode



---------------

Display Devices

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Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i

Manufacturer: NVIDIA

Chip type: GeForce 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i

DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC

Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_07E3&SUBSYS_E0381631&REV_A2

Display Memory: 1529 MB

Dedicated Memory: 249 MB

Shared Memory: 1279 MB

Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)

Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor

Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll

Driver Version: 7.15.0011.6396 (English)

 

[aldric]

I just checked the PSU and its only 250 watts, not sure if that will make a difference and I definitely don't want to buy another.

 

[aldric]

Double post.

 

[aldric]

Anyone help with suggesting a graphics card for this?

I quite fancy trying out guild wars 2 as well

Thanks.

 

[aldric]

Not what I was hoping to hear.

I am going to get a new PC in 6-7 months, no chance of getting it any sooner.

Low/medium settings would be fine for me, there must be something I can do mean time?

 

[aldric]

it'll run on a potato with 2 electrodes stuck in it!

@OP, have you checked that you have a PCI-E slot to put the card in? And are there any spare power connectors on the PSU, or will you need one that doesn't need external power?

I don't really know what the PCI-E slot is so just took a picture inside my case (will have to remove some of that dust!):



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I don't see any spare power connectors on the PSU, so would assume one that doesn't need external power.

 

[aldric]

Ideally for a graphics card you could look at the AMD 68** series or 67**/57** series.

As above - do you have power cables from the PSU to plug into it? PCI-E 6 pin cable(s)?

I have posted a picture above, doesn't quite show all of the PSU, but I don't see anywhere to plug anything in to it? I am not that hardware literate when it comes to pc's.

 

[aldric]

Pulled the wires that come from the PSU and found that there are some connections..

Is this the right ones?



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

It doesn't show up too well on the picture, there seem to be 3 connectors.. the first 2 can be seen clearly and the 3rd is about half the size.

 

[aldric]

iirc 7750 is the most powerful GPU you can run just off the bus?

In what case, what's your budget?
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-159-MS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1699

Run off the bus?

I could afford that card, but wouldn't want to be paying any more to be honest due to the likelihood of a new pc next year.

 

[aldric]

They look like 2 molex connecters and a fan power canle??
With the molex i beleive you can get a 2molex to 6pin adapter which then you can plug into a gpu if theres enough power.

Just had a look online and yes I think you are right. thanks.

 

[aldric]

Running just from the PCI-E lane, no external power connectors required.
That's the cheapest 7750 on OCUK. Decent little cards.

Ah thank you.

from the link Nickolp1974 posted:

Measured power consumption R7750

System in IDLE = 155W
System Wattage with GPU in FULL Stress = 188W
Difference (GPU load) = 33W
Add average IDLE wattage ~10W
Subjective obtained GPU power consumption = ~ 43 Watts

I have 250 watts for the PSU, is that going to be enough?

 

[aldric]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...56&subcat=1699

Purchased from OCUK. Thank you for the help.

 

[aldric]

Which slot does it fit in btw

 

[aldric]

The red one

Thank you that helps

 

[aldric]

Link does not work, which one did you get?

Sorry, the one that was recommended (link works now).

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-159-MS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1699

Thanks for the help.

 

[aldric]

What in god's name is that black thing in the pic?

It's a dusty fan I believe

 

[aldric]

So long story short...you should get the 7750 (around 10-15% faster than my 9800GTX+), and overclock your Q6600 to 2.8-3.0GHz if you can (GW2 would use up to 3 cores)...then you should be able to achieve similar results as my E5200 system on playing GW2. In the future when you got money to spare, upgrade your platform.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for that, interesting read. I have ordered the 7750, it comes on Monday.

I will have to look in to how to overclock as I have absolutely no idea, is there a link to somewhere I should read?

 

[aldric]

This.

Have you checked is your mobo compatible to run modern cards? It should be but double check just incase! You will DEFINITELY need a new PSU though.

I haven't checked, don't know how to be honest. Hopefully it will be fine as i've already ordered it!

Will have to keep an eye on the PSU and if it does need upgraded maybe I can buy it somewhere locally so the wife never needs to know!

 

[aldric]

Don't worry. As far as I know socket 775 shouldn't come with older graphic slot like AGP...pretty sure it is a PCI-E x16 (and from the picture it doesn't look like a AGP slot, but PCI-E x16)

Fingers crossed. Big mistake if not!

I've been looking up how to change from the integrated to the new graphics card and have got a bit confused.

It seems the easiest way is to plug the monitor in to the new graphics card? Looking inside my PC i'm not sure how that will work as there isn't a hole in the case?

It is a bit difficult to imagine without the graphics card.

Is this the easiest way or is there another way to ensure the new graphics card is used?

Thanks for all your help

 

[aldric]

Yeah its a PCI-E 16x slot, not sure if it runs at 2.0 or 1.0 speeds.
Either way its fine for the card you've bought.

When fitting you just unscrew the tabs, take out two - your new card will fill the hole left.
Plug your monitor into the card, the computer should do the rest.

Download the latest AMD drivers here
Vista 64bit <--- This one for 64bit OS
Vista 32bit <--- This one for 32bit OS

Brilliant. Thank you.