Graphics card upgrade help?
Hello I am looking to upgrade my graphics card for gaming on my computer. I know a reasonable amount when it comes to computers but I am not an expert. This is the graphics card I am looking to upgrade too:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Palit-GeForce-Graphics-Arc...
This is my current system:
Graphics card: AMD Radeon HD 6550D
Ram: 4GB
Processor: AMD A8-3850 APU 2.9GHz
Will it just be simply buying the new graphics card and switching them or will I need a new processor too and/or add more ram. If you need any more information let me know and thanks in advance 
Comments
You can't upgrade your processor, as that is the best one for that particular CPU socket (socket FM1). You would need to upgrade motherboard too.
To be honest, that graphics card is probably a little too good for that processor. You may experience something of a bottleneck, with the CPU holding back the performance of the GPU. It may be better value to go for a 660ti or AMD 7950 or 7870.
NO, you don't need another motherboard, processor or more RAM.
You could upgrade RAM to an 8GB dual channel kit (two x 4GB), but that is not mandatory, even your current 4GB is enough for gaming and almost everything else a home user does on a PC.
AMD Radeon HD 6550D IS NOT a graphics card, that's just the low end integrated graphics from your piece of crap AMD A8-3850 APU processor.
For that GTX670 card you would also need to upgrade your power supply to a reliable brand 600W 80plus certified and with two 6pin card power connectors.
http://obrazki.elektroda.pl/7293148000_1357587079....
nVidia says 500W minimum for GTX670, but it's always best to have at least another 100W for lower temperature and less fan noise, plus power supplies degrade in time due to capacitor aging, so a 600W will only pump out 500W in about 2 years or so...
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/gefor...
Get either one of the brand name power supplies, like Corsair, Thermaltake, Cooler Master, Enermax, Antec, XFX, Seasonic, OCZ, or Silverstone.
Make sure it's an 80 plus certified power supply (80 plus means guaranteed over 80% of rated power in actual output)
It is also preferable to get a modular power supply, to eliminate cable clutter and allow for better air flow in your box.
NEVER CHEAP OUT ON YOUR POWER SUPPLY, it's the engine that drives your entire computer.
After installing the GTX670 card, go into BIOS settings and choose the GTX670 as your only graphics card (disable the integrated AMD Radeon HD 6550D APU graphics)
I think 6550D is the onboard solution in the A8-3850 so you don't actually have a graphics "card". So the first thing you need to check is to make sure you have an available PCI-E x16 slot on the motherboard.
If so, then you don't need a new CPU or more RAM, BUT you may need to upgrade your power supply. GTX670 is going to require 500-550W power supply and you need to choose one that provides 2 PCI-E power connectors. I think GTX670 requires 2 6-pin connectors.
i could bypass with the Radeon HD 4650 1GB I appropriate to diminish than it may help an getting previous AGP gadget nonetheless play some not so cutting-edge video games. the cardboard i'm linking you to expenses seventy 4$ USD, and that's much greater low priced than identifying to purchase a clean motherboard, cpu, ram and video card. while you're actually not on the reducing fringe of gaming enjoying the main up-tp-date video games this card will serve you properly. the guy affirming AGP is the worst is incredibly particularly incorrect. customary PCI has a optimum documents throughput of 132 MB/s this is much slower than AGP 8X's 2,one hundred MB/s. PCI-E 16X has a max of 4000 MB/s (8000 MB/s going the two guidelines). AGP isn't a undesirable slot that's getting previous yet once you do not choose to finished out replace all the laptop an AGP card remains a great selection. wish I helped you some. Ryan