Please help me upgrade my video card?
I want to upgrade the video card in my desktop (Gateway GX7022e) primarily for gaming purposes. Currently it has the stock nvidia 6200 256 mb video card, as well as everything else being stock to include power supply. I am looking at upgrading to a 512 mb with direct X 10 (leaning towards BFG nvidia 8400, 8500 or 8600 as they are in my $100 - $150 price range).
Was hoping for some thoughts and if there are installation problems I should watch out for as well as avoiding any issues which could arise buying a card too beefy for my machine that can be avoided by not getting too ambitious. I'm also upgrading the Ram from the stock 2 gigs (4 x 512mb sticks) to 4 gigs (2 x 2gig sticks). Thanks in advance!
Comments
Get out the manual, or go to the gateway website and lookup the graphic card specs. You will need to know if the video card is a AGP or PCI-E.
If it's PCI-E is easy to upgrade, but if it's AGP well the highest u can get is 512mb.
As for the stock power supply, it should provide enough power for the new video card. If it doesn't, you'll only find that out after you plug it in.
4 gigs of what memory? I use kingston hyperX. And 2 gigs is ok. 4 gigs and up is way enough.
dont get the 8400.
8600 and above.
the 8400 is entirely different and should not even be considered a 8000 series.
8000 series requires a beefy power supply, you'll want to get a 500 watt power supply, i am sure gateway didn't come with one.
make sure the two power inputs on the card get two independend leads (meaning not from the same line).