Computer Specs- Problem?

[Meetch1972]

If you want a card suggestion, start with a budget. A relatively low-end one may not require you to upgrade your power supply. A GOOD one most certainly will.

Acceptable cards for just DDO would start in the $60 bracket. Ones you can play DDO with all the features cranked up start at around probably double that. A good new power supply will set you back maybe $70.

Personally, if I was on a budget I'd be happy with these (
I'm not in the USA, so I don't use newegg - just using the product links as an example):
Either http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150485 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102855
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371015

You can spend hundreds more if you want to (and get more bang out of it). And most likely, prices for those $200 cards will drop significantly over the next 6 months as new technology comes out.

If I wasn't on a tight budget, I'd get the Corsair brand for the power supply, and an NVidia GTS 450 card (brand would probably be Gigabyte or ASUS, or a higher end card - EVGA is one of a few).

Of course, if you get the parts, you need an ounce of skill and a dollop of knowledge to pull the PC apart and do the upgrades yourself, get a PC components store to install do that, or pay the right teen techie a six-pack to do it for you.

[liltova]

Okay so any of these would work with my model computer? Hubby says that i need to make sure that I dont need a software upgrade or anything. Thanks.

[Folonius]

Okay so any of these would work with my model computer? Hubby says that i need to make sure that I dont need a software upgrade or anything. Thanks.

Try this
Click Start > Right Click Computer > Properties > Device Manager.
Click Display Adapters > Right Click your video card > update driver

Make sure you search online for new drivers.
One of the nice things about windows 7 is it's alot easier to get drivers for your hardware.

If you do decide to get a new video card, mMake sure if you get a video card, it works with a 64 bit windows system. If you aren't sure, it's probably still under warrenty. Have someone at best buy or wherever you bought it from pick out a video card for you, and a new power supply if needed. 300w is rather low for a power supply these days. If you aren't comfortable with installing the hardware yourself, you can have them do it for you.

[liltova]

I tried what you said, and it says that it's up to date.

[liltova]

-Bump-

Okay, so i am going to go walk into Fry's tommorow, and I'm just wondering what you all think i should say?

What i should tell him, (Probably my model number, Current Specs + Video Card)

Ask for his recommendation?

I dont know! Help me!

[liltova]

Bump? :l

[Meetch1972]

Still not upgraded? Just tell them what we told you. Software for graphics cards comes with the card, and upgrades are freely available from the vendor/via windows update. Get a low power PCI-E card, or a Good PCI-E card and a 550W or bigger power supply to support it. Get THEM to upgrade it, as it sounds like this will be a bit too much of a challenge for you.

The components I listed earlier are still a reasonable starting point.

[t0r012]

decide what you are willing to spend on a graphics card and look up this article that tom's hardware.com posts every month.

Best graphics cards for the money

starts at roughly $60 and goes up from there. Which is basically the least you should spend to upgrade if you want to do gaming over your integrated on board video.
your 4200 onboard is enough to do youtube and DVDs but you will want more for playing a game.

A lot of your card selection will depend on what resolution you will be playing at. if you have an older monitor with 1280x1024 you can get away with a lesser card or even a 1680x1050 then you could go lowish end and turn down the settings. If you step up to say a "full HD" 1080 resolution then you are going to want a bit more muscle.

The other consideration is your power supply. Someone said you want a 550watt to run any card but you don't need all that much unless you go really big with your card. I run a 550 watt which is the manufacturer recommended voltage for my video cards which are running in tandem. And my cards aren't know for being power efficient.
I didn't look up your PSUs specs but the supplies that come with prebuilt boxes tend to be pretty weak.
What I am saying is when you think you have chosen the proper card for you go to the mfgs site and check their suggested minimum power supply and make sure your are within spec.

the other thing to check on is the power connectors. most modern GPUs (graphic processing units) as graphics/video cards are called require an auxiliary connector and your computers power supply may not have one. That link above has a couple of cards that don't require extra plugs ,the bottom 2 or 3 price range, those are the ones I would recommend anyway.

Good luck with your shopping and if you have any questions PM me and I'll help walk you through the decisions, price shopping and even installation if you so desire.

======================

edit:
What did you have in your old machine? Were you happy with that?
You could look to see if you had card in your old machine and maybe move that to your new machine. so long as the connectors on the Power supply and slot in the motherboard are compatible.