So I'm pretty sure my video card crapped out. No biggie, I was interested in upgrading so my PC would be more capable for games like Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3. My PC is about four years old. I'm not interested in upgrading much more than the card at this point. I'm also guessing it only supports PCI Express with out any of the numerical suffixes. (HP parts link, Tiger Direct link, motherboard link)

This is the video card I'm looking at: Tiger Direct Link, Manufacturer Link
The only bad thing I can see is that the minimum power supply requirement is 350W. The power supply in my rig is rated at a maximum of 300W. Considering that I currently place little to no gaming demands on my PC do you think that would be adequate? Of course I could just go ahead and upgrade the PS as well so what would you recommend? I typically leave my computer on to serve media to the living room so something that is relatively thrifty when there is minimal demand placed on it would be nice. Preferably something from Tiger Direct to keep it all on one ticket.

It'll work, but there might be unexpected shutdowns if you run everything at max, or things might get weird. Play it safe and get a new PSU, OEM PSUs are always crap. Get whatever corsair is in the 1-120 dollar range.

How many other devices are connected like hard drives and disc drives

Videocard Manufacturers always overstate power supply recommendations because the demands placed on the power supply can vary alot depending on configuration. Also power supply manufacturers arent consistant with their ratings, some list max peak output, some list max sustainable output.

It is highly likely your 300w PSU is adequate to power an 8400gs, but if you want to play it safe upgrade your PSU.

Another thing... what was your previous GPU? I am asking because honestly the 8400gs isnt much of an upgrade from anything. It's a lowend GPU designed simply to be adequate for playing high defination video.

It should be for me. The OEM card is a PCI Express graphics card (Comanche) - nVidia GeForce 7500LE, 256MB memory.

I believe the limiting factor for me is that I doubt my mobo supports 2.0 or higher.

2x DVD drives
2x internal hdd
1x internal external hdd (it's a 1TB HP Personal Media Drive that is powered by the PS when it's mounted in its bay)

PCI-Express is completely forward/backward compatible,though a newer card will be limited to the old bus speed.

Well, in that case, I'm open to suggestions that are around the $30 price point.

It's HP, so the power supply is probably a rebadged 72-rail 120W Taiwan Special with bootleg capacitors.

You don't really need to worry about that. Pretty much every PCI-E 2.0 card is completely backward compatible to PCI-E 1.0. And the 8400gs might be a tad better, but I doubt noticably so. I would expect similar performance to what you currently have.

Not exaggerating too much.

I would try to swing a 5450. Slightly better performance and even less power required ( recommends 300W). If you really want the 8400gs get it, I was just trying to warning you not to expect a real performance boost.

So are you recommending something along the lines of the Asus EAH5450? Doesn't it seem odd that EAH_Triscuit is recommending EAH5450? Seems like there might be some sort of self serving reason, eh?

While installing the videocard you might need a snack break, you might want to eat some Triscuit's. They are baked whole wheat wafers and quiet yummy.

I do think the 5450 is a good fit for your situation, that one definately fits the bill. (Nice pick GDDR3 > DDR2) but all the cards designed to operate in 300w power range are going to be pretty similar.

I actually haven't seen anything referring to their power requirements.

omfg

Ahh crap, the official site says 400w. Dammit, trying to find where I read 300w.

http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-5000/hd-5450-overview/Pages/hd-5450-overview.aspx#3

Word of warning about upgrading the power supply: Some OEMs (used to?) use proprietary power supply form factors and pinouts. You should check your manual or call HP before ordering a replacement.

I've found my power supply online. Only question I have is about 20+4 pins and 24 pins. The cable that plugs into my mobo is 24 pin. The few I glanced at had a 20+4 configuration.

My current power supply is Bestec atx-300-12z.

That means it has a detachable 2x2 connector that clips onto the 2x10 ATX 1.x connector.

I thought it was something along those lines but I don't have experience changing power supplies so I don't know how well that assembled configuration plugs into my mobo. I'm assuming that's all standard and it will work fine.

jonc you are someone i would have a drink with

Computers and liquid don't mix well.

Well, I went ahead and ordered the card I posted in the op. Seemed the best match for me. I also ordered a new keyboard, CPU stand, and Windows 7. I'll get the card running and then make sure all of my info is on external hdds before installing the OS. I've actually never installed a new OS. I've always been satisfied with what I've had. Windows 7 actually has features I'm really looking forward to and I have no intention of buying a new pc anytime soon.

Good choice.

So, got the package today and installed the card. It's ridiculous how easy this stuff is now. Anyway, in a way you are right. I tried the hdmi setup but my monitor doesn't play well with hdmi with computers (it won't power down when the pc is off or turns the video off) so I went back to the VGA connection. I uninstalled the hd audio portion of the card and reenabled my onboard audio in the bios. Basically everything is the same but you wouldn't expect the desktop to look much different. I don't game much on the pc but I loaded the most recent game that I knew was limited by my previous card, Battle for Middle Earth. It defaulted to the max settings and ran flawlessly so I did notice a difference there. When I get to the point that I can stop working like a dog, maybe I'll get to enjoy the improvement.

After I upgrade the OS, I will look for a Starcraft 2 demo.

Eww, VGA cables? Buy a cheap DVI cable.
E: What's a CPU stand?

probably a "desk."

I think he may be talking about something like this

http://www.staples.com/Fellowes-Premium-CPU-Stand-with-Casters/product_321036?cm_mmc=online_google-_-adwords-_-PLA%20-%20Technology-_-321036&cid=PS:SBD:GS:E:N:PLA:PLA_-_Technology:Computer_Accessories

My monitor just doesn't function the way a computer monitor should when I use my DVI to HDMI cable (or HDMI cable since I have that capability). It's a common issue with my monitor and many have complained about it.





Yeah, that's very similar to what I found at Tiger Direct although I think theirs looks a little nicer. Not so wide at that bottom and curved on the sides rather than "folded".

Wookie06, nobody's probably told you this so it's totally not your fault, but the tower and the stuff in it is the "computer," not the CPU. The CPU is the processor.

It's like if someone told you they had a magazine full of bullets.

Semantics.

It's like if a fat teenager wearing a Rambo shirt came up to you at a recruiting desk and told you they had a magazine full of bullets.

Maybe its just because I have never handled a gun in my life but.. isn't the statement a "magazine full of bullets" accurate? ....

<sigh> Why, why, drag MB into this?

I have no idea what your talking about I was seriously just questioning the analogy.. maybe I missed something here.

Channeling Full Metal Jacket, I'm sure you have handled a gun.

uhm?