Half Hight Graphics Cards

Let me start by saying your going to laugh but I have a EmachinesEL1358G-51W its only used as a office type computer as I have a PS3, Ipad and also android tablets for most of my gaming as I never got into PC gaming. But as of a month ago I got into Minecraft and the bug got me. The problem is I get horrible FPS.

I already run Optifine and got my settings to the best they can be for the POS computer to run it but it needs help. Im not looking for some huge build or some major supercomputer type FPS rates but I want it to play smooth because I also plan on doing to other mods such as buildcraft just for some added fun.

Since this PC is in a slim case I need a half height card in it and a possible PSU I now that. Just my questions is for the use I want for minecraft what would be a good card to do with? It is PCIE setup. Like I said im only looking for a improvement in FPS rates with minecraft. Ram will not help at this point as its maxed out and has been since new. Any suggestions would be great I want something more than 15-25 FPS rates BTW that is at the standard windows size the game opens in the little small one with explorer.exe and background process closed so its only minecraft that is open or can be seen. Thank you in advanced for any help givin.

 

There are plenty to choose from on Newegg.com.

 

Yes but what would suit my needs. I dont want to get something no better than the onboard but I dont want to over due it either and kill my PSU and the card either. I have found many its making the right choice that is the problem and why I posted.

 

What is your PSU rating?

I have a similar problem. Machine came with a Nvidia NVS 290 Quadro business class 256 MB graphics card that uses only 15-25 watts. It also runs cooler than most. PS is rated at 240 watts...

You should try a game booster program. Try GBoost and then set up Process Lasso on its game mode. I mess around at Quake Live when I get bored, and adding this software, although it didn't add FPS, made the experience much smoother and play was much better. The two use less than 2% CPU and temps don't change much at all.

I use 3 of these boosters and they don't change the equipment, but they take all the edges off the OS.

Process Lasso won't shut down anything Windows. It's a straight optimization enhancement. It thinks faster than Windows and then mixes the data with MS' for faster response for assigning RAM and paging. Superb program.

You still might be able to find a graphics card depending on your PS rating.

If you try the programs I mentioned, settings for GBoost->Check Advanced->expand the bottom->3,5,6,8,9,10,14,15 set to yes. GBoost is more of a straight optimizer than a RAM recovery program. It doesn't shut down Windows processes, and the ones you choose only turn off once when you activate the program. No need to reboot, etc. to restart them. Process Lasso->Program menu->1. Main->ProBalance enabled/Gaming mode enabled 2. Options->General Settings->Check processes every...->250 ms.

Again temps are not a problem and neither is processor usage. Usability of the PC is I would say 10 times better at least.

 

Your Power Supply is rated at 220W According to newegg:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883114100

It has 3Gb of DDR3 1333, but can accommodate up to 8Gb, are you sure it has been maxed out since it was new?

Something like this video card will bump your FPS up nicely from the integrated Nvidia 6150SE graphics, It scores 4.7 for Aero and 6.4 for Gaming on the windows index. It also requires a minimum of a 350-watt power supply. However, you might be able to get away with your current power supply, as these cards don't require external power, and they really dont draw that much power, I've run this card on a 250-watt power supply for my HTPC:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130814


My personal recommendations would be to bump the RAM to a minimum of 4GB, preferrably 6GB if it is not already maxed out at 8Gb. Get a low profile video card with 96 cuda cores or more if it's a nvidia, or about 480 stream processors or more if it's made by AMD/Ati. That should be plenty sufficient for an older game like Minecraft.

I dont know your price range for a new video card, so I stayed under $50. If you can afford more, go for something with 128-bit memory bandwidth, as 64-bit bandwidth is pretty slow and outdated these days.

 

It is maxed as I did it myself when purchased. Ill look into that card thank you for the info. Ill look into it more when off work. PSU upgrade is fine its a simple thing to do.

 

Okay Read and looked over and that will work. 50 is fine a little more would be so ill look at 128 like you stated as well. Ill prob upgrade PSU as well as that is really easy. And that is for the slim ATX case correct?

Until stuff comes in since ill order tonight ill run optimizers for now like suggested also.

Guys thanks a lot for the help. Extremely appreciated and helps a lot.

 

Well then, since you dont mind upgrading the power supply, and dont mind spending a couple dollars more, This card below is slightly better for about $5-$10 more, it has 128-bit memory, but requires a 350-400 watt power supply. It has amazing reviews on Newegg, is one of the cheapest 128-bit low-profile cards, and would fit your needs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127611

 

Check the pricing for the same card at http://www.computerdeli.com/price-list/ It is a local shop that has been around for some time, with a location in Champaign/Urbana Illinois, but they should be able to ship to you if you can find it lower from them.

Check also on Amazon.com, and keep in mind that the online Bestbuy.com listings show private dealers. To add, there has been a lot of people having issues with Newegg.com not honoring their deals, or even just being poor in quality control & returns of late.

 

I'll second that, I've received 2 dead SSD's from Newegg.ca (same warehouses as Newegg.com). The site is still good for browsing, references, and reviews, but if you see rebates on newegg, dont expect them until you get them, and if you need an RMA for whatever reason, you need to bug them on livechat to get a free return shipping label, or they will let you go ahead and pay the return shipping like an idiot (happened to me 1 time, and only 1 time) lol :-D

 

Already compared newegg is cheapest available. Ill place order tonight and thanks for the other card I was already looking and that will make it easier lol.

BTW looking at this PSU look ok to you? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338063

 

The 128 bit card is ordered along with the new psu to go with it. Should be here in 3 days. If I can run minecraft full out it would be great but even halfway turning up the settings on a nice hd texture pack would be nice.