Need good "powerups" and a leet video card?

Hey. - I have a acer aspire m7720

processor: intel(r) core(tm) i7 CPU 920@ 2.67ghz 2.67 ghz

memory (ram) 6GB ddr2

type of pc: 64bits

windows vista

motherboard: dont know, sorry.

videocard: ATI radeon 4650



I bought this pc 2 years ago (or a bit longer). And when I played a new game (wolfenstein) it lagged like hell...Like when I went to the right it took 2seconds to go there. On a site "systemrequirementslab" it says it runs at the max (fast) together with all the new games, even blackops but eventhough it didnt even WORK on my computer, MW2 did, but it LAGGED. Now there is a new game out (brink)

And I want to update my PC. I want to buy a new video card, but I don't know which. And a friend of my"'n says I have "weak" powerups, and that he thinks I have near 200watt and he has 1250 (I realy don't know what it means/does). And he says it makes better graphics, or something I don't realy know.


So in short: Which new "powerups' do I have to buy? and which new video card, that will fit in my PC ofcourse... I already tried to open my pc once, and I failed. And I also don"t want to damage it, since I dont know anything about them.


I would appreciate, if you guys have some good advice!

ps: If I take my pc to the store, will they put in the "powerups" and the video card?


Thanks in advance.

 

Hi huNti,

Welcome to MajorGeeks

the "powerups" that your friend has told you about are really called "Power Supply Units" or PSU's for short. a 200W PSU is definately too weak for just about any video card currently on the market.

Some Video cards only require a 400-500W PSU and use the power directly from your motherboard to power themselves. Other, more powerfull video cards will need a 600W+ PSU, and use a direct connection to your PSU to draw the power that they require to work properly.

Your Radeon 4650 is reported to need a minimum of 400W to operate properly.

So I would recommend a 600W+ quality PSU such as Corsair, or Antec. Keep in mind that PSU's lose a percentage of their output every year. You ideally want to have at least 100W more power in your PSU than what you will actually use, to give your PSU some breathing room.

I'm amazed that your machine booted running an i7 and a radeon 4650 on 200 watts.

 

Hi, thanks for reply. Well about the 200watts, i'm not sure, if that is it. I tried to open my pc to look, but failed. So I dont know. But I want to play a new game called "brink". and on a site it said my vid card is to weak for it. And I just played it today, and I lag very hard. So should I buy new RAM(powerups) and a vid card???


Any suggestions?

And price?

thanks already!

 

You have enough RAM, that is not an issue. Your Video card is not strong enough for this game, it will have lag issues as you have desribed. The 3870 is actually better for gaming than the 4650. (According to reviews)

Before you can install a new video card however, you will need to look at the sticker on the side of your Power Supply inside the case.

It should have a maximum wattage rating on the sticker. If you cannot find the maximum wattage, just look for a brand and model number. Then we'll be able to look up the specs for you and see what we're dealing with

Without knowing how much wattage your PSU has, we wont know what course of action to reccomend for you.

However, If you know for sure that the PSU is not powerfull enough, then a more powerfull PSU will be needed before any upgrades can be installed.

For recommended PSU's, I would suggest Something like this Corsair. I use this one myself and it is very stable and is known for its quality. It supports i7's, and is SLI/Crossfire ready if you end up wanting to add 2 video cards together in your machine.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

I'm not the best with video card specs, so I'll let someone else reccomend a good video card for you.

 

He tried to open the case, but "failed."
I suggest this person go to a tech guy to upgrade his PC.

 

Hey man. Thanks for your great answer again! I tryd to open my case again, and it was succesful! (yes)=D

Sadly enough, I couldn't see tha "watt" in it, but I could see the serial number, and I took a screenshot

Maybe if you can do something with it?


Here it is:

http://www.plaatjesupload.nl/bekijk/2011/05/24/1306249932-950.jpg

So, if you could tell me what the WATT is, and if I have to buy a powerups and a video card...Would very much appreciate it.


ps: Thanks alot for what you said already.

Kind regards.

 

This does not compute.:-D A simple screwdriver would do it, left hand side when the front is pointed towards you. Unscrew the screws on the back and then just pry it open from the back if it's stuck, should release very easily.

You could be right abeckl but we all had to start somewhere eh?

 

Aye, I agree boys.

I used to be him a few years ago, we all started learning somewhere.

I dont think learning how to modify and upgrade a PC with an i7 is very good idea however. If you make a mistake, thats a pretty expensive mistake.

But his "friend" seems to know at least something about PC's, and could possibly lend this gentleman a hand installing a PSU and video card, which is some pretty basic stuff?

 

Hey guys. Thanks for the "positive comments". But an houre ago, I did open my case, succesfully. And I took a pic of the PSU. It's now "awaiting approval" so you guys can see the picture.

Have a nice day further.

 

You said you have an Aspire M7720. Well according to Acer's Website your PSU is a 500w minimum. We'll check the pics you uploaded to see it it's one of the 750w, or 1000w versions.

If thats the case, you will only need a video card and nothing else to play Brink. but 500W is a little low (In some cases), you might need a stronger PSU for a decent PSU-powered video card.

 

thanks man! i realy hope its 750 or more watts. And i did pic, but admins have to approve the reply on this site with pics, so i hope they approve it soon, so you can check it out.

thanks again man, you were very helpful already.

 

I see your Pic now, unfortunately it's too blurry for me to read the Model number.


In the example below the Model Number is:

MODEL NO. PS-5251-6L


If you could read the MODEL NO. from your PSU for me that would give me all the information I need to figure out how many watts you are running.

Unless you can take a picture that is a bit more clear?

 

What does this say right here?

 

Hey guys. I decided, to ask a camera somewhere, but I just looked at the pics, and they look even worse! So I wrote a few little things down...

@nico_palm: it says there: No: PE-645-1

And I also found this: Total output shall not exceed 450W

Peak Power time shall be less then 17 secs. at 500W

Conclusion = 500watt?


PS: If I take my pc to a PCshop and ask them to put a powerups in it and video card, will they put it in??

And any advice at a good video card? (max 200€ please)


thanks guys.

 

Yes, that is perfect

It is indeed a 500W Power Supply.

that means that when you look for a new video card, you cannot buy one that exceeds a 500W power supply recommendation, Unless you upgrade your power supply as well.

If you bring your PC to a PC shop they will definately be able to replace the power supply and video card for you. You may pay a little more that way, but at least you wont have to worry about making any mistakes.

I'm not too sure about pricing in Euro's, i'm sorry. But 200euro should be plenty for a new PSU and video card. The cost of labour to install them must be accounted for as well if you plan on bringing it to the shop.

 

Thanks ALOT MAN! For all the questions you answerd for me, and willing to search for me, if I had a gold medal, I would give it to you!!

Thanks alot, and have a GREAT day!

 

No need for medals

you're very welcome.