Updating Graphics Card

[Koravel34]

Hey all!

I have a relatively older computer, an Intel Pentium D 2.8 Ghz, now with 3 GB of RAM.

I'm just trying to get a gaming card that will allow me to use the computer for another year or so, and I was looking at this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121353. However, it mentions that this is a PCI Express 2.0, and my computer only supports PCI Express 1.0.

Are these cards backwards compatible, and would it be worth spending $95 to upgrade from my current card, (which is a 7600 GT)?

One other thing. I only have the power supply that came with the computer- will this be enough to handle that card, or would I need to upgrade that as well?

 

[iPROTechman]

First of all, how many watts is your power supply and what manufacturer? My guess is FSP group.

As I understand it, PCI E is backwards compatible so a 5770 or a 5750 is a good choice.

 

[CalcProgrammer1]

That card should be an upgrade (it supports DX10, CUDA, and newer technologies than the 7600GT). PCIe 2 cards will work in a PCIe 1 slot, so that should not be an issue. I would recommend something from the ATi Radeon HD5000 lineup as they all support DirectX 11 and work very well.

 

[Koravel34]

All right.

One other question. For the same price, there is another card with 512 MB of memory, but its DDR5, whereas this one is DDR3 with 1 GB. Which would be better?

Newegg.com - PNY VCGGT2405G5XEB GeForce GT 240 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

(I really dislike Radeon cards, I've had nothing but trouble with them. Maybe just a string of bad luck.)

 

[Trotter]

Yes, you have had some bad luck... plus ATI wasn't that great with drivers. that's changed now. Just make sure that uninstall any Nvidia graphics drivers before you install a Radeon card to prevent conflicts.

Here's a card for the same price that has a lifetime warranty. It has 512MB of DDR3, but the GPU will eat the 240 for lunch:
Newegg.com - VisionTek 900268 Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

 

[Koravel34]

I just saw this link underneath that one. Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100245DDR5L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

Same memory, same card, same price, but it has DDR5.

Are either of these cards going to require upgrading the default power supply? I believe its 400W, but I'm not certain. How would I check that?

 

[Trotter]

Sapphire = two year warranty. VisionTek = lifetime warranty. There's not a noticeable difference between GDDR3 and GDDR5 unless you are playing something really strenuous graphic-wise. Even then it will only be a few frames per second.