Need help want to upgrade my graphics card

[counterfox]

Hi all,

Want to upgrade my graphics cards for newer games

I'm not good at hardware so any suggestions would be welcome.

My current hardware is:
Mainboard : ASRock G31M-GS
Processor : Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 @ 2500 MHz
Physical Memory : 4096 MB (2 x 2048 DDR2-SDRAM )
Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.01.2600 Service Pack 2
+3.3V Voltage : 3.26 V
+12V Voltage : 8.13 V

My friend told me that a nvidia 9800 would be good. I looked at amazon UK site and found a few which confused me such as:
Inno3D nVIDIA GeForce 9800GT Graphics Card - 1GB GDDR3 - PCI-E - 256-Bit - Dual DVI - VISTA READY - 600MHz GPU - 1800MHz Memory clock - HDCP - HDTV

Zotac GeForce 9800GT Synergy Edition 1 GB Graphics Card

Which one is better? Would they work on my pc? Any other card suggestions or information is much appreciated.

 

[orihS ‪‪‪Shiro]

Can you give us any information about your Power Supply?
The numbers you gave us, look... disconcerting...
An ATI 5750 or 5770 would also be a good choice for newer games.

 

[counterfox]

Is there any way to check this on my system for the power supply?

I got these figures from some software I have "PC Wizard 2010"

Or any other way I can check this?

 

[orihS ‪‪‪Shiro]

Open your computer case up, look at the side of the PSU, tell us the brand, and the information listed in the little table there.
(It may or may not have a table of information, voltages and amps?)
Otherwise the Watts + The brand name might be enough information.

I can't personally think of any diagnostic software off the top of my head that tells you specific voltages coming from the rails, but I know your BIOS should be able to?

Having only 8v~ on a 12v rail is indicative of a problem...
And it would affect a graphics card decision... As they use power from the 12v rails.
So it's important to find out what's going on exactly?
Maybe that program that's reporting the 8v~ is wrong?

 

[counterfox]

I just opned the pc up this is what i found:

Win Power
Switching power supply
Model AS-P550
Max Output Power is 550W

Input:
115VAC
8A Max
60hz
230VAC
5A Max
50hz

Output:
+12VI 18A Max
+12Vz 18A Max
+5V 28A Max
+3.3V 30A Max
+5V/SB 3.0A Max


Is my PSU not working properly?

I got this program yesterday after a bit of research on google, I thought it was pretty accurate but can't be sure..

 

[orihS ‪‪‪Shiro]

Does the program always read out only about 8v?
Do you know how to access your BIOS?
What does your BIOS say about the 12v rails?

How old is this computer and how old's that PSU?

 

[aliasaid]

According to the specs, that PSU seems adequate. But 8V on the 12V rails is worrisome. Win Power isn't known for its quality, but with numbers that low i'm guessing maybe the program is reading it wrong.

 

[counterfox]

Ok I think I got into BIOS, pressed f2 at restart went to BIOS Setup utility
Then to the H/W Monitor section:

V core: 1.280
+3.30V: 1.288
+5.00V: 5.136
+12.00V: 11.932

I've only had this pc for under a year someone gave it to me, I've actually had games crash and sometimes blue screens which someone told me could be graphics related why I wanted buy a new graphics card xD, I'm not sure cos im so bad with this hardware stuff.

I've ran the software again, heres whats outputted now:
Voltage CPU : 1.26 V
+3.3V Voltage : 3.28 V
+12V Voltage : 8.24 V

 

[orihS ‪‪‪Shiro]

Well, I recommend a 5750 or 5770 over those 9800's though I'm not 100% sure if your PSU is doing alright...
1.2v on the 3.3v rail?
8v on the 12v rail?
Something is potentially wrong...
You may want to ask some more experienced power supply wizards on the tech-forum...
I'd make a post in the Hardware Troubleshooting section if I were you.

 

[counterfox]

Ok thanks alot for the help guys I'll make another thread see if anything can be found out