Newbie seeks Graphics Card advice

[tonydtiger]

Hi guys

Nice to meet you all, Just wondering if anyone can help me here. Ive been interested in upgrading my card from the current ATI HD 2400

http://ati.amd.com/products/Radeonhd2400/specs.html

Ive been quite interested in getting a HD 3850 http://www1.sapphiretech.com/us/products/products_overview.php?gpid=224&grp=3 for £60 but it seems my motherboard and power supply wont take it. Here my spec:

Processor
Model : Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
Speed : 2.39GHz
Cores per Processor : 4 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)
Type : Quad-Core
Internal Data Cache : 4x 32kB, Synchronous, Write-Thru, 8-way, 64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache : 2x 4MB, ECC, Synchronous, ATC, 16-way, 64 byte line size, 2 threads sharing

System
Mainboard : 4Core1333-GLAN. http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=4Core1333-GLAN

Bus(es) : PCI PCIe IMB USB i2c/SMBus
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
Multi-Processor Advanced PIC (APIC) : Yes
System BIOS : American Megatrends Inc. P1.20
Total Memory : 3.19GB DIMM DDR2

Chipset
Model : ASRock P35/G33/G31 Processor to I/O Controller
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 266MHz (1.06GHz)
Total Memory : 4GB DIMM DDR2
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 333MHz (666MHz)

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : A-Data DQVE1B16 2GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-6400U DDR2-800
Memory Module : A-Data DQVE1B16 2GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-6400U DDR2-800

Video System
Adapter : ATI Radeon HD 2400 Series (256MB, PCIe 1.00 x16, SM4.0)

Storage Devices
Hitachi HDP725025GLA380 250GB (SATA300, 3.5", 7200rpm, NCQ, 7MB Cache) : 233GB (C
TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S202N (ATA66, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (D
AFSTO K56FGH6 (SCSI, BD-R, HD-DVD-R, DVD+-R-DL, CD-R) : N/A (F

Logical Storage Devices
Hard Disk (C : 233GB (NTFS) @ Hitachi HDP725025GLA380 250GB (SATA300, 3.5", 7200rpm, NCQ, 7MB Cache)
CD-ROM/DVD (D : N/A @ TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S202N (ATA66, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)
3.5" 1.44MB (A : N/A
CD-ROM/DVD (F : N/A @ AFSTO K56FGH6 (SCSI, BD-R, HD-DVD-R, DVD+-R-DL, CD-R)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : ASRock 82801GB/GR (ICH7) LPC Interface Controller
Audio Device : ASRock 82801G (ICH7) High Definition Audio
Audio Codec : Realtek Semiconductor Realtek 662 High Definition Audio
Audio Device : Gammagraphx RV610 audio device [Radeon HD 2400 PRO]
Audio Codec : AMD (ATI) AA01h
Serial Port(s) : 1
Parallel Port(s) : 1
Disk Controller : ASRock 82801G (ICH7) Ultra ATA Storage Controller
Disk Controller : ASRock 82801GB/GR/GH (ICH7) Serial ATA Storage Controller


Power Management
Mains (AC) Line Status : On-Line 450W

Operating System(s)
Windows System : Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 6.00.6001 (Service Pack 1)
Platform Compliance : x64

Sorry for the big report, copied it off Sandra. If its no trouble to anyone could you please recommend the best card for my system to have for the round-abouts price of the HD3850 £60? Thanks

Tony

 

[Frogger]

can't see any reason that MB/psu won't support a 3850 Pls explain????

 

[tonydtiger]

Thanks for the quick reply mate.

Says on the HD 3850 lins under system requirements that:

'For ATI CrossfireX: 550 watt power supply or greater with two 6-pin connectors.'

As ive only got a 450W supply, that feature wouldnt work. But im not exactly sure what that would mean tbh.

 

[stanhemi]

550 watt it only for crossfire (2 video card)

 

[Rurouni Strife]

Crossfire/X is paring two video cards togheter and running them as one. In theory, it doubles performance. usually, its 60-80% scaling.

that 450 watt should be ok. Its the mininum for such a card. I'd look into a 4770 if i were you if they have similar power requirements.

 

[Frogger]

the MB only has 1 slot

 

[tonydtiger]

So the one HD 3850 would be fine?

Which one would be better? the HD 3850 or the 4770 as Rurouni mentioned?

 

[tonydtiger]

Or are there better cards then them at that price area? thanks for the help guys

 

[Rurouni Strife]

4770 is better, but might cost you 40 bucks more ...depends. As for the power requirements, check on newegg.com for specs. what size is your monitor? 1280x1024 is good for 3850/3870's today...but a 4770 would take good care of you for a little while at that rez.

 

[ShadowFold]

4770 is the best price performance card on the market. I'd get that if you're on a budget And yes you're stuff is good enough for it!

 

[Frogger]

Price: $129.99 +/- depending on your reseller
Diamond HD 4770

 

[tonydtiger]

Great, ill pick up one of them tomorrow then.

Thanks alot for your time and help guys