looking for a new video card and sound card!

[roadust443]

hey everyone,

I have an HP a250n
I have recently upgraded the RAM (I added 2GB of RAM; two 1 GB chips) on it and I am planning on switching over to windows 7 very soon.

I want to upgrade my sound card and video card. I RARELY use this machine for gaming. I will for the most part be using this computer for listening to music through my Logitech Z-5500 speakers and for streaming movies and videos to watch on my HDTV. Other than that I will simply be surfing the web and using Microsoft office for school/business related activities.

I am looking to get the best quality sound and video for my money (obviously).

I am looking to run an optical audio connection to my Z-5500 and I need the video card to have an HDMI output (unless there is a connection that will give me better video quality).

any suggestions??

My price range is flexible



also, here are the specs on my current PSU.
AC Input: 115/230V~,6.5A/3.5A, 50-60Hz
DC Output: 300W
+3.3V - 15A
+5V - 25A
+12V - 10A
-5V - .6A
-12V - .6A
+5VSB - 2A

I know i am going to have to upgrade my PSU to support the new video card, so if you could suggest a good PSU also, i would appreciate it.

THANKS

 

[Trotter]

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100298L Radeon HD 3450 512MB 64-bit DDR2 AGP 8X HDCP Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
$50. Fanless and thus silent. Also has HDMI and will run on a 300W PSU.

Newegg.com - Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Sound Cards
$35

If you need more gaming "oomph", you can go with this:
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GV-R465D2-1GI Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 AGP 8X HDCP Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
$85 w/free shipping, requires 400W

Newegg.com - FSP Group SAGA+ 400R 400W ATX12V Power Supply - Power Supplies
$35

 

[roadust443]

This PSU and Video Card was suggested to me by a friend

PSU:
Newegg.com - Rosewill Green Series RG530-S12 530W Continuous @40°C, 80 PLUS Certified, Single 12V Rail, Active PFC "Compatible with Core i7,i5" Power Supply - Power Supplies

Video Card:
Newegg.com - HIS H467Q1GHDAP Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 AGP 4X/8X HDCP Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

What do you think?

 

[roadust443]

any opinions??

 

[Muffin Man]

thats an expensive 4670 even for the 1gig version. you could find cheaper ones for around $70, so no i wouldnt get that one.

for almost the same price as that his 4670, i would pick this card instead, much faster.
http://www.ncixus.com/products/46443/HD487AYWFC/XFX/

and this power supply thats also a little cheaper.
http://www.ncixus.com/products/37325/BFGR550WGSPSU/BFG Technologies/