looking for a new video card for my desktop

[waspman3372]

Is there any reason why I can't put an ATI RADEON 4870 1GB into this system below. May have to Google the IBUYPOWER part and go from there.

iBuyPower Gamer 501AN Desktop (AMD Athlon 5000 Dual Core Processor, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, NVIDIA GeForce 8400GS 512MB, Vista Premium)

 

[Kursah]

It'd help to know the PSU specs, as that 8400GS isn't much for a power consumer in comparison to a 4870...but if it'd fit in the case there's a good chance it would work, but yeah defiantely do some research and see if others have done some upgrades and if they had any issues.

 

[newtekie1]

Check the power supply, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Ibuypower usually puts halfway decent power supplies in their machines.

 

[erocker]

You just need to make sure you have two 6 pin PCI-e power cables coming from the PSU. I couldn't find any information on it unfortunately.

 

[waspman3372]

I had to upgrade the PS when I got it because I'm a gamer. It had a 300 watt ps if I remember correctly and I got a 500 watt ps. I'm more savvy on the how to run a computer than I am of the inside of one. Anyway it has a 3 gyg processer and 2 gb ram. Not sure if that helps. It's almost being a gamer you've gotta replace Video cards every 2-3 years. Am I correct or way off track in my thinking on this?

 

[ShiBDiB]

gtx 260


and how much did u pay for that? just wondering if ibuypower is still a rip off

 

[95Viper]

It looks like, from just roaming around on the www, that it could be anywhere from a 350 to a 420 watt psu. You best bet is to open it up and get the info off the tag.

Most all 4870 cards call for 450 watt or better PSUs. If you have a 420 or less, you might be asking for trouble later on. Just my opinion.

 

[waspman3372]

Im not sure it was like 3 years ago. I'm not hearing to much good about IBUYPoWERS computers.

 

[waspman3372]

I've got a 55o in there now,a Rocketfish I believe

 

[KainXS]

even if you have a 550 watt psu if its a cheap one, you still can't run good car on it, whats are the rails on it.

ummm whats the model number

 

[JrRacinFan]

I think the OEM's for a Rocketfish PSU is Channellwell or Topower. Pretty sure(98%) its topower. With that said if its a 550W you would be fine.

 

[waspman3372]

Any thoughts on this one or should I stick to the 4870?


Video / Graphics Cards > PCI Express 2.0
HIS Radeon HD 4850 IceQ4 TurboX Video Card - 512MB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0, CrossFireX Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI,
if you do a Google on this you'll get a better idea. Thanks guys

 

[jagd]

4850 IceQ4 is a good card but if you have a psu to feed 4870 stick to 4870

 

[ShadowFold]

550w is more than enough for a 4870. Grab a 1gb one if you can, it really helps.

 

[waspman3372]

Boy have I got a story to tell.I awoke this morning looked in my case and not only did I not see a video card but thought I had a Rocketfish 550 ps. Wrong again..I have a 700 watt ps. Woo hoo but that was only the start. I had to decide if I wanted to go to a local retailer or Best Buy. I've always had good luck with BB and what a choice that turned out to be. I was looking at getting a 4870 when the guy behind the counter sold me a 4890 never been opened @ Clearance price ...$134.00. Needless to say I got that and 2 more gb of Ram. So my IBUYPOWER desktop now has a 3gyg processer,4 gb of Ram and a 4890 ATI Radeon Video card with 1 gb. Think this will last for easily a 2 year period. Playing these games has never looked so good and looked that crisp. Oh the processer is an AMD Athlon. Thanks to all of you for your input. Appreciate it. See ya,more gaming to do!!!

 

[JrRacinFan]

What a nice update!

Great to hear man and enjoy! Happy gaming waspman.

 

[waspman3372]

Hey Race Fan-Dude I've been a gamer for like 25 years and this Rig although short of water coolers and stuff still serves it's purpose as a great way to play games. I can't believe I fell for that IBUYPOWER crap back then. But I love Mid towers because of the upgradeability options. Also this should help stop some of those lockups I would think. I'm currently playing the 2k9 baseball game. Wow the detail is something to be reckoned with. Now thinking about getting rid of my Quasmio laptop because I also thought that was a gaming computer. Boy was I wrong,see there's my next project. Thanks Bud for helping steer me in the right direction!!