Graphics card - help needed

LancelotSA said:
OK, I am getting closer to a decision but now for some more advice from the technical guys out there....

I have realised the PC only has 512Mb Ram which I have decided needs upgrading to 1Gb too, so for this reason I have decided to probably go with the HD4650 card from Esquire at R499.

I am lead to believe this does not need it's own power supply, but I have checked out the system requirements and it recommends a 400 Watt or greater power supply... now the problem is I just checked my son's computer and it only has a 300 Watt power supply. Does this mean the graphics card will not work?

Will I now need to upgrade RAM, power supply and graphics card?
Click to expand...

512MB RAM? Sounds like it could be an oldish PC... Does it even have a PCI-E slot for a PCI graphics card?
 
LancelotSA said:
Thanks Gixxa. I suppose I can buy it and test it and if it does not work I can upgrade the PSU.

As a matter of interest, what would happen if the power supply is not "big" enough? Would the computer shut off, graphics card not work or what?
Click to expand...

PC won't boot, will restart during games.
 
PostmanPot said:
512MB RAM? Sounds like it could be an oldish PC... Does it even have a PCI-E slot for a PCI graphics card?
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same.

For what it's worth, if I had the cash I'd also go for the 9600GT.

I might be the only person who cares about the noise these cards make, but an additional concern might be the cooling on the card - fans are generally loud, whereas heatsinks are silent.

My 8500GT with its one small fan is LOUD. :(

My 2c :)
 
Thanks guys.

I have been reading through various sites and the consensus seems to be that the Ati cards are better in terms of "bang per buck". Is this view incorrect?

Also I'm assuming with the 9600GT I'd need to upgrade the PSU? Or does it have it's own power?
 
LancelotSA said:
Thanks guys.

I have been reading through various sites and the consensus seems to be that the Ati cards are better in terms of "bang per buck". Is this view incorrect?

Also I'm assuming with the 9600GT I'd need to upgrade the PSU? Or does it have it's own power?
Click to expand...

I think someone mentioned this above. (hope you are still reading my posts)

Graphics cards run off the PSU - they don't have their own power supply.

It seems that if your can get the 9600GT for R999, then that is definitely best bang for buck.
 
LancelotSA said:
Thanks guys.

I have been reading through various sites and the consensus seems to be that the Ati cards are better in terms of "bang per buck". Is this view incorrect?

Also I'm assuming with the 9600GT I'd need to upgrade the PSU? Or does it have it's own power?
Click to expand...

Not when it comes to a 9600GT @ R999 retail... ATI's closest-priced card is the 4670 and the 9600GT beats it.

The 9600GT needs extra power, it should come with a Molex to 6-pin converter (plugs into graphics card).

According to http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine your PC (from what I've gathered) will use around 200watts with the 9600GT.
 
hj2k_x said:
I think someone mentioned this above. (hope you are still reading my posts)
Click to expand...

Yip, reading your posts. The thanks was directed at you too! ;)

Graphics cards run off the PSU - they don't have their own power supply.
Click to expand...

I was lead to believe some cards have their own power connectors and are not just slotted into the PCI slot. Further to this, as stated I only have a 300W PSU, which may be a problem with these cards that draw more power. but as with everything in this thread I stand to be, and need to be, corrected.

It seems that if your can get the 9600GT for R999, then that is definitely best bang for buck.
Click to expand...

I can get it for R899 from Esquire...


PostmanPot said:
Not when it comes to a 9600GT @ R999 retail... ATI's closest-priced card is the 4670 and the 9600GT beats it.
Click to expand...

I am getting the cards available from the Esquire specials and I have to admit I was wishing the 4670 was there as a lot of sites sing it's praises.

The 9600GT needs extra power, it should come with a Molex to 6-pin converter (plugs into graphics card).

According to http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine your PC (from what I've gathered) will use around 200watts with the 9600GT.
Click to expand...

You see this is that part that puts me off.... I was hoping to just buy a graphics card, plug it in and be off. Where would that Molex connector plug into? The PSU? If so I assume I'd need to see if I have a connector on the PSU.

With only a 300W PSU I may have a problem with the 9600GT sucking 200W. I was lead to believe that with the 4650 it would use the power from the PCI which would be sufficient.
 
LancelotSA said:
Yip, reading your posts. The thanks was directed at you too! ;)
Click to expand...
Good man :)

I was lead to believe some cards have their own power connectors and are not just slotted into the PCI slot. Further to this, as stated I only have a 300W PSU, which may be a problem with these cards that draw more power. but as with everything in this thread I stand to be, and need to be, corrected.



I can get it for R899 from Esquire...




I am getting the cards available from the Esquire specials and I have to admit I was wishing the 4670 was there as a lot of sites sing it's praises.



You see this is that part that puts me off.... I was hoping to just buy a graphics card, plug it in and be off. Where would that Molex connector plug into? The PSU? If so I assume I'd need to see if I have a connector on the PSU.

With only a 300W PSU I may have a problem with the 9600GT sucking 200W. I was lead to believe that with the 4650 it would use the power from the PCI which would be sufficient.
Click to expand...

9600GT it is then :)
 
Lance Esquire's prices are ex Vat, so R899 translates to R1024 roughly.
So a few bucks more than the other offer mentioned here.
 
Shake&Bake said:
Lance Esquire's prices are ex Vat, so R899 translates to R1024 roughly.
So a few bucks more than the other offer mentioned here.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, spotted that earlier but forgot about it now. Damn VAT! :) Someone buy it for me as a vendor! ha ha

The good thing about Esquire is that I might be able to pick it up from their Durban shop.
 
I wouldn't chance a 9600gt with that power supply. The 4670 is about R400 cheaper for almost the same performance and doesn't need external power. It really is the best choice for you.
 
Qwikslver said:
I wouldn't chance a 9600gt with that power supply. The 4670 is about R400 cheaper for almost the same performance and doesn't need external power. It really is the best choice for you.
Click to expand...

The 4670 really that good? And can you get it for R600?
 
Well it's R700 at prophecy and yes, it is that good.
 
Qwikslver said:
I wouldn't chance a 9600gt with that power supply. The 4670 is about R400 cheaper for almost the same performance and doesn't need external power. It really is the best choice for you.
Click to expand...


where can we get that card for 599? That 9600 will work on the psu without a doubt.

Also the 9600gt is old now so the 4670 should do the job better i reckon.
 
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