New Video Card

Ok well I wanna get a new Video card but I'm not sure if anything new would be able to run with the motherboard I have.

Here are my specs.

System Model: MS-7046
BIOS: Phoenix-AwardBIOS v6. 00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3 GHZ
Memory: 2048 MB
Manufacture: NVIDIA
Video Card: GeForce 6800
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC


I asked my sisters husband who is a computer wiz and he said I probably couldn't put anything new in there but not sure if anyone else knows anything more then he does.

Any suggestions?

P.S. not worried about budget.

 

You should be able to install something depending on how strong your PSU is so it would be helpful to know how many watts your PSU is.

 

Ok its 450 apparently, so idk if i can put anything new in.

 

Would be helpful if I could know your motherboard model and if this is a pre-built pc.

 

If that is an MSI MS-7046 motherboard, then according to the manual, it has one PCIex16 slot which means it will accept any current technology PCIe card. So you have many options available with budget being your only limitation there.

However, as pclover mentioned, power then become the concern. 450W is not a bad size, but not all 450W supplies are created equal. The key factor is the current on the +12V rail. Note that today's graphics cards devour power, frequently considerably more than today's current batch of CPUs. So care must be taken to ensure you have a supply that meets the demands. Below is my canned text on sizing and selecting a good PSU.

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Use the eXtreme PSU Calculator Lite to determine your power supply unit (PSU) requirements. Plug in all the hardware you think you might have in 2 or 3 years (extra drives, bigger or 2nd video card, more RAM, etc.). Be sure to read and heed the notes at the bottom of the page. I recommend setting Capacitor Aging to 30%, and if you participate in distributive computing projects (e.g. BOINC or Folding@Home), I recommend setting TDP to 100%. These steps ensure the supply has adequate head room for stress free operation and future demands. Research your video card and pay particular attention to the power supply requirements for your card listed on your video card maker's website. If not listed, check a comparable card (same graphics engine and RAM) from a different maker. The key specifications, in order of importance are:

1. Current (amperage or amps) on the +12V rail,
2. Efficiency,
3. Total wattage.

Then look for power supply brands listed under the "Good" column of PC Mechanic's PSU Reference List. Ensure the supplied amperage on the +12V rails of your chosen PSU meets the requirements of your video card. Don't try to save a few dollars by getting a cheap supply. And don't count on supplies that come included with a case. They are often underrated, budget or poor quality models "tossed in" to make the case sale. Digital electronics, including CPUs, RAM, and today's advanced graphics cards, need clean, stable power. A good, well chosen supply will provide years of service and upgrade wiggle room. I strongly recommend you pick a supply with an efficiency rating equal to, or greater than 80%. Look for the 80 Plus - EnergyStar Compliant label. And don't forget to budget for a good UPS with AVR (automatic voltage regulation), as surge and spike protectors are inadequate.