Choosing a new graphics card?

Question

I have a new computer and decided I want a new graphics card. This one came with a GeForce 7100 which just isnt great. I'm looking at a GeForce 8800GS at newegg.com and want to know what I need before purchasing. Some things I don't know but need to find out are will it fit in my tower? Do I need a bigger PSU? Is it hard to install/can I install it?

My current specs: Gateway DX4640-UB101A

Intel Pentium Dual Core E2200 @ 2.2 GHz

Windows Vista 64-bit

NVIDIA GeForce 7100 Integrated Graphics with up to 256MB of Shared Video Memory

4GB Ram

300W PSU

Answer 1

With graphics cards everything is pretty basic.  If you want a good graphics card its a situation where the more you spend the happier you'll be, so if you can, buy the most expensive (don't compare different retailer's prices compare within them to see what they have as more expensive).  In my experience the 8900 would be better by far.  As for fitting in you tower all slots and sizes are pretty much all the same.  So the tower will have no problem.  The only thing YOU WILL HAVE TO CHECK is the motherboard.  You have an integrated video card right now so installing a new non-integrated card one may cause problems.  Also you may already have all your slots filled so check you have an empty.  Integrated graphics cards do cause serious problems, in fact I'm not entirely sure you can even take them out, you may want to get it done professionally.

Answer 2

New PSU 500W or higher if you getting a 8800GS.

Answer 3

NVIDIA GeForce 8800 Ultra will last you longer for years to come.

It should fit in your tower no problem. They are very easy to install.

First, you usually disable onboard graphics from the BIOS.

Next, you remove the case of the computer and push the chip into the correct slot. Make sure you don't touch the gold pins on the chip that gets inserted into the computer.

Replace computer case cover and install drivers from the provided CD. That's it.

Answer 4

get my psu (corsair 550w or the 450w version) its perfect for your psu plus make sure you can cool you card propaly

my pc

athlon 64 x2 3600 1.9ghz@ 2.224ghz

2gb ddr2 @870 mhz @ cas 5

as rock mb (very rubbish !)

bfg 9800gtx+ oc (@41 degress idle 55 load) 100% fan (dont care of the noise as long as it cools)

1x samsung dvd-rw

2x 250gb sataII hitachi deskstar

corsair vx 550w psu

xfi exstream music

a modded case with 4 fans

acer 22inch lcd 5ms

logitech 140 speakers linked to hifi