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Reccomendations for a graphics card

sonoframonsonoframon Member Posts: 166 Arc User
edited November 2012 in Graphical and Sound Issues
Well, here's my dilemma...

I recently bought a desktop computer a few days ago, and while I can play STO with the integrated video just fine (at low settings across the board), I feel like i'm doing my enjoyment of the game some injustice by being complacent with just integrated video.

Mainboard : MSI MS-7518
Chipset : nVidia GeForce 7050
Processor : Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 @ 2500MHz
Physical Memory : 2048MB (1 x 2048 DDR2-SDRAM )
Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i
Hard Disk : OCZ-VERTEX PLUS R2 ATA Device (124GB)
Hard Disk : Seagate ST3360320AS ATA Device (360GB)
DVD-Rom Drive : MagicISO Virtual DVD-ROM
DVD-Rom Drive : ATAPI DVD A DH-3H20A
DVD-Rom Drive : HL-DT-ST DVDRRW GSA-H21L
Monitor Type : ViewSonic VA712b - 17 inches
Network Card : Nvidia MCP73 Ethernet
Operating System : Windows 7 Ultimate Professional Media Center 6.01.7601 Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
DirectX : Version 11.00
Windows Performance Index : 3.1 on 7.9

Anyways... as you can see, it's not a bad build (i do need to get more memory, but at this point I can hold off on that since I need the graphics upgrade more) and honestly this is a big upgrade in itself from playing on a laptop LOL. The PCI Express slot is rev 1.0, and I know that I can get by with a PCI-E 2.0 card. My PSU is rated @ 450 watts, but I don't see any 6-pin connectors to use. So my choices are limited to any cards that don't use that. I'm just looking for some advice and maybe a point in the right direction. Much thanks :)
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Post edited by sonoframon on

Comments

  • obertheromulanobertheromulan Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited November 2012
    sonoframon wrote: »
    My PSU is rated @ 450 watts, but I don't see any 6-pin connectors to use. So my choices are limited to any cards that don't use that. I'm just looking for some advice and maybe a point in the right direction. Much thanks :)

    Actually those 6-pin connectors also use +12V, something your power supply would already produce.
    Assuming your PSU's wattage is sufficient, you shouldn't have any problems.
    You can just get one of those adaptors that turns 2x 4-pin Molex connectors into a 6-pin.
    In case of a multi-rail PSU, remember to check if enough of that power actually goes to those.
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  • obertheromulanobertheromulan Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited November 2012
    Though I must say with 3 DVD drives, 2 Harddisks and a Quad Core, I doubt you'll squeeze much more out of a 450W PSU.
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  • th3xr34p3rth3xr34p3r Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited November 2012
    I recommend a nvidia gt 460 till you can upgrade the psu or get a psu and gpu bundle to upgrade both at the same time.

    if you want a 580 or 680 gpu you need at least a 650W psu. Here are power requirements for all currently avaliable cards: http://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/printer/power-requirements-for-graphics-cards
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  • startrekronstartrekron Member Posts: 231 Arc User
    edited November 2012
    Not sure what your budget is but the Galaxy Geforce 520 can be found for less than $75 at Best Buy and probably less at NewEgg, Amazon, or Tiger Direct.

    You might also consider doing some extra upgrades if money permits:
    A bigger power supply for less than $50

    More RAM, which is dirt cheap right now, adding just 2 gigs will show much improvement.

    This one I'll catch some TRIBBLE for but.....Windows 8. SURPRISE! I've found that this game runs better with Win 8 than on 7. Cost is $40 if downloaded from MS til the end on January 2013.
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