Davo Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 In looking for a better video card, it was recommended that I upgrade my PSU. After reading and researching, I suspect that this is what led my last computer to stop functioning and eventually ruining the other parts in it. So I want to find a better card and also a better PSU to prevent that from happening again My mobo: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02560084&lc=en&cc=ad&dlc=en Specs: AMD Phenom II X6 1045T 16GB DDR3 RAM (1333 MHz) Two DVD-RWs 120GB Kingston HyperX 3K SSD 1.5 TB HDD I currently have a 300W factory PSU. I'm very unfamiliar with finding out how many amps I have on the 12V rail. I am familiar with taking out the PSU if need be, checking the BIOS, etc. I am looking to find a card that does up to four monitors. I don't do gaming and honestly the most graphic intensive thing I'd ever do is run an N64 emulator with high-res textures. I have two 23" Acer monitors (1920x1080) with VGA and DVI. I thought I'd ask the knowledgeable folks here first because I don't want to buy something and then realize it's not compatible or more than I need. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Moderator Posted December 13, 2012 Moderator Share Posted December 13, 2012 What video card do you have currently? What is your budget for a GFX card and a new PSU? If you want 4 screens, you will need an ATI/AMD Eyefinity card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+PeterUK MVC Posted December 13, 2012 MVC Share Posted December 13, 2012 You have a few problem: Yes you will need a better PSU but the case you have may have problems fitting it less use you know it will fit ATX size plus room for cables. Then you have to fit a card in that case if there is enough room. And lastly up to four monitors on one card...not sure that?s going to be cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patseguin Global Moderator Posted December 13, 2012 Global Moderator Share Posted December 13, 2012 I think the NVidia is the best right now. You'll want a 500 watt PSU though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Moderator Posted December 13, 2012 Moderator Share Posted December 13, 2012 I think the NVidia is the best right now. You'll want a 500 watt PSU though. NVIDIA won't get him 4 screens... And I think a 650W will be better for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemakerpom2010 Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 In looking for a better video card, it was recommended that I upgrade my PSU. After reading and researching, I suspect that this is what led my last computer to stop functioning and eventually ruining the other parts in it. So I want to find a better card and also a better PSU to prevent that from happening again My mobo: http://h10025.www1.h...en&cc=ad&dlc=en Specs: AMD Phenom II X6 1045T 16GB DDR3 RAM (1333 MHz) Two DVD-RWs 120GB Kingston HyperX 3K SSD 1.5 TB HDD I currently have a 300W factory PSU. I'm very unfamiliar with finding out how many amps I have on the 12V rail. I am familiar with taking out the PSU if need be, checking the BIOS, etc. I am looking to find a card that does up to four monitors. I don't do gaming and honestly the most graphic intensive thing I'd ever do is run an N64 emulator with high-res textures. I have two 23" Acer monitors (1920x1080) with VGA and DVI. I thought I'd ask the knowledgeable folks here first because I don't want to buy something and then realize it's not compatible or more than I need. Thank you! Get a corsair psu 500 or more and you will notice a huge improvement in stability! I messed around will all the top brands and wattages with a daul card setup and the corsair has worked the best for more then ten custom built systems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patseguin Global Moderator Posted December 13, 2012 Global Moderator Share Posted December 13, 2012 NVIDIA won't get him 4 screens... And I think a 650W will be better for him. Ah, I hadn't thought about the 4 screen thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason S. Global Moderator Posted December 13, 2012 Global Moderator Share Posted December 13, 2012 i wouldnt buy a PSU that's <650W, imo spikey_richie 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Moderator Posted December 13, 2012 Moderator Share Posted December 13, 2012 i wouldnt buy a PSU that's <650W, imo You and me both. One, for future proofing, and IIRC, the latest vid cards are a bit power hungry when under load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo Posted December 13, 2012 Author Share Posted December 13, 2012 I only have one PCI x16 (2.0) slot. I've seen some simple-ish cards that can do quad monitor like this. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162083 Isn't that alright for what I need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+PeterUK MVC Posted December 13, 2012 MVC Share Posted December 13, 2012 I only have one PCI x16 (2.0) slot. I've seen some simple-ish cards that can do quad monitor like this. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814162083 Isn't that alright for what I need? Its not a powerful card for gaming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo Posted December 14, 2012 Author Share Posted December 14, 2012 I have a Radeon HD 6450 currently. That card I linked is actually just a dual clone dual display so no-go on that. I won't be using the computer for gaming except the random time where a friend is over and we want to play Perfect Dark or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Moderator Posted December 14, 2012 Moderator Share Posted December 14, 2012 That card will not play PD.. Use 3 monitors on your 6450 (It allows it with two DVI/HDMI and DisplayPort (which has adapters) and use a USB to DVI adapter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo Posted December 14, 2012 Author Share Posted December 14, 2012 From the reviews everywhere, the card looks like some caca. I have a Radeon HD 6450 now but it looks like it's a gimped version as mine has one HDMI and one DVI. I found a pretty cheap version of it that has two DVI ports and an HDMI and supports triple monitors out of the box (several Newegg reviews confirm it doesn't need the Eyefinity dongle). Now I just need to plug my stuff into a PSU calculator to see how much I'd need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Moderator Posted December 15, 2012 Moderator Share Posted December 15, 2012 Don't use those calculators, please. Just get a Corsair 650W and be done with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo Posted December 15, 2012 Author Share Posted December 15, 2012 Alright, any good recommendations based on the Mobo? I know I need to make sure I have the right amperage and that was my main reason for wanting to use one. Extreme PSU Calc seems to be the only one that people recommend at Tom's Hardware. Also, can you tell what type of pin connector I have? http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf-JAVA/Doc/images/761/c02560806.jpg I count 24, but I'm not sure if they're all "active". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Moderator Posted December 15, 2012 Moderator Share Posted December 15, 2012 Most current PSU's have 24-pin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo Posted December 15, 2012 Author Share Posted December 15, 2012 Yes, but does my Mobo have 24? Does a PSU that says 20+4 mean the same thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+PeterUK MVC Posted December 15, 2012 MVC Share Posted December 15, 2012 Yes, but does my Mobo have 24? Does a PSU that says 20+4 mean the same thing? yes Davo 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Moderator Posted December 15, 2012 Moderator Share Posted December 15, 2012 20+4 means that it has a 20-pin with a removable extra 4-pins like so: Davo 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo Posted December 15, 2012 Author Share Posted December 15, 2012 Thanks very much guys. I've made my decisions and am purchasing today. I'm doing a Corsair 650w (46A on 12V) and a better Radeon HD 6450. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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