Graphics Card Upgrade Advice For A Lackin' PSU

Strid

Strid

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Hey guys. I recently picked up a new computer.

Here are the important specs:

Acer Aspire x1200
AMD Athlon X2 5000+
4GB DDR2 SDRAM
220W PSU
Nvidia GeForce 8200
Windows Vista Home 64-bit
1 open PCI-Express x16 slot

I'm lookin' for a graphics card I put in here and either get off the on-board GPU or utilize the SLI capabilities. As you can see I have an extremely limited amount of options due the low wattage PSU. In the past I've managed to plug in some nice AGP 8x cards into low wattage PSU's (ATI Radeon 9800 pro (said to require a min. of 300W PSU) into an EMachines with a 220W PSU). However, I didn't know what the hell I was doin', I just got lucky. Anyway, I'm lookin' to not upgrade the PSU if at all possible as the PC I bought is one of those "nifty" Acer mini-PCs. The power supply is awkward shaped and would probably cost a lot to find or be a hassle to put in, payin' outrageous install fees is also not an option. I watched a video on CNet and the guy talked about bein' able to hook up a GeForce 8500GT and utilizin' the SLI technology but he didn't mention anything at all about upgradin' the PSU. He didn't actually do this but said you could. Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated.

Would probably help if I mentioned I'm not lookin' to play things like CoD, Crysis, etc. I'm lookin ONLY to maximize my WoW framrate at medium to decently high settings. I know WoW doesn't take much so there should be a solution. Currently off the on-board GPU I can run high settings in towns, even if crowded, and get no lag at all. Once I step into the world to quest, things get choppy. On low settings everything is good performance wise but visually it's not up to my standards.
 
judging by the size of the chassis, your upgrade options are extremely limited due to space.

also unfortunately putting any add-in videocard is going to require an upgraded PSU, especially so if your going for good graphics/framerate ratio.

do you have a preference to nividia or ati? i can recommend a card that requires no external power that may work with a 220W PSU, with heavy emphasis on the may.
 
johnno25 said:
do you have a preference to nividia or ati? i can recommend a card that requires no external power that may work with a 220W PSU, with heavy emphasis on the may.
Click to expand...

I would like to hear that too lol. There is a saying here that goes like this: "don't exchange 4 25¢ for 1$". So unless it's a drastic change in performance, I wouldn't recommend changing for appearance. Especially if space is an issue (it's usually the case) and you don't want to invest in a new PSU (it's probably the small form factor too).
 
Small case wont be a problem. Any half-way decent graphics card these days has a small case build as well, you just have to find it. I don't care the make, I prefer ATI but I'll accept anything to make this situation easier.
 
Your 220W PSU is seriously not enough juice to power even the lowest end version of the ATI low profile series for your WoW

only some i can think off is...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103167

If you really want to boost your WoW performances you need at least 450W PSU or greater

At least 65W are already goes to your processor, and couple more watts are juicing your MB, USB (like Keyboard/Mouse), soundcard, memory, etc

There is alot of inexpenive power supply you can get from newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010320058 113142554&name=401 - 500W

if you want SLI/Crossfire mode, you need to cough up some more for SLI/Crossfire ready PSU
 
Nah, 450W is ridiculously high for what I'm lookin' for. Hell, I ran it on high for years with a 220W power supply and a Radeon 9800 Pro. If I have to upgrade the PSU then I'm goin' with a 350W PSU and a Nvidia GeForce 8500.
 
Strid said:
Nah, 450W is ridiculously high for what I'm lookin' for. Hell, I ran it on high for years with a 220W power supply and a Radeon 9800 Pro. If I have to upgrade the PSU then I'm goin' with a 350W PSU and a Nvidia GeForce 8500.
Click to expand...

450w is somewhat future proof for your needs. sooner later you gonna reupgrade again, rather then keep buying, just get 450w one now and don't have to worry about it later :P Think long term o.O
 
I'm not really concerned with heat bein' an issue. As of now I have a useless wireless card and a useless 56k modem card which I'll take out for better ventilation. I can also just leave the side panel door open while I game as well.

I was lookin' at that card Dante but I found a few ATI cards that have gotten great reviews with lower wattage PSU's, the 250 Watt area.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102754

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102799


I'm thinkin' of tryin' one of those out but I'm not sure which is better. They both seem to be higher end cards for the low profile area. I can easily go up about another 50-60 bucks if you guys can help me find a better one but I'm stuck on those for now.
 
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