13 replies to this topic

[4EVERBOOTS]

I have a gateway model: SX2802....Processor: Pentium® Dual -core CPU....E5300 @ 2.60 GHz....Memory: 6GB....System type: 64-bit Operating System. Which graphic card is recommended?

[laylow]

I recommend upgrading your system first, minimum core I5, then graphics Geforce 660ti, 750ti or higher

[4EVERBOOTS]

Oh yes i forgot. I have windows 7.

So i need to upgrade from Windows 7 to 10?

I prefer staying on Windows 7. I don't know how Windows 10 would mess anything.

Anyway thanks for the info laylow. 

[BorgDog]

Windows 7 or 10 either is fine, I have run both.

 

The problem with the system you have is that I believe all the sx series are small form factor and you just can't fit a decent video card in them.  As far as processor goes however I am running vp9, vp10 on a pentium G3220 @ 3Ghz and it does just fine, but I have a decent video card with it.  A current i3 would be plenty fast enough for a budget build, put the money in the video card.

[4EVERBOOTS]

Then if a graphic card doesn't fits, what about an external one?

[allknowing2012]

never heard of such a thing .. atleast not commonplace..

 

http://www.tomshardw...way-sx2802.html

[Sneetch]

You may want to consider a pcie riser card and a bigger PSU if you use a full size graphics card. Think your current PC PSU is rated at 220 watts if I looked up the right version of your gateway. Good luck

[xenonph]

I always heard Gateway Computers are not upgradable. I have a WinXP P4 E-SERIES and was told I cannot upgrade anything on this computer.

So good luck Upgrading.

Edited by xenonph, 01 June 2016 - 05:49 PM.

[4EVERBOOTS]

Then i better not do anything and leave it like it is. Could be worse. Upgrading might mess anything up. Thanks again guys!! 

And you are right Sneetch. M PC PSU is at 220 watts.

[Brer Frog]

Just FWIW -

My HP desktop PC is a quad core AMD with integrated graphics & has a 250W PSU. I put a Kill-A-Watt meter on it the other day. At idle it uses about 60W and about 70-90W when doing web browsing, When playing VP9 tables it's typically using 90-100W, whether I'm using 1 or 2 monitors. Once in awhile I've seen peaks of 115-125W.

 

I bought a GTX 750 Ti SC graphic card which uses 65W  max, and a lot less at idle, according to reviews. I haven 't installed it but will in the next day or two.

 

I have a couple spare PSUs & was going to use a higher capacity one but am considering staying with the stock one. I don't really need a 400W supply, & for most of the time it may be operating at too low of capacity to be efficient. Plus I have to hide all those power cables!

 

I'll probably put in the card & see how the power consumption is before swapping PSUs.

[GSGregg]

Brer Frog is making things interesting; I know my I.T.guy nephew has always said that a below-spec PSU simply shuts things off (without destroying them) and I hope he's right.....

 

The best shot with an external GPU would require a PCIe X16 extender cable---long enough to get the video card's connector socket outside the tower---plus another PSU to run the card if your irregularly-shaped 220-watter doesn't cut the mustard.

[Brer Frog]

I have a couple PSUs that are rated "80 Bronze" and supposedly are at least 80% efficient when run between 20% and 80% capacity, or something to that effect. The aftermarket ones I have don't drop off much in efficiency below 20% capacity so no big deal. I have no idea about the factory HP unit, but am presuming they didn't spend more money than they had to when building it.

 

The GTX 750 Ti SC card that I have does not use a separate power connector so it cannot draw more than 75W from the PCIe slot according to the PCIe slot specs, If the most I've seen is a peak of 125W on the Kill-A-Watt meter when playing VP9 tables & the card has a maximum of 75W that's 200W total peak. Not a lot of headroom if the PC is using a 220 - 250W PSU. I don't know if the graphic card will be pushed anywhere near its peak when playing pinball.

 

I'll think I try a VPX table & see what the power usage is.

[GSGregg]

Just FWIW -
My HP desktop PC is a quad core AMD with integrated graphics & has a 250W PSU. I put a Kill-A-Watt meter on it the other day. At idle it uses about 60W and about 70-90W when doing web browsing, When playing VP9 tables it's typically using 90-100W, whether I'm using 1 or 2 monitors. Once in awhile I've seen peaks of 115-125W.
 
I bought a GTX 750 Ti SC graphic card which uses 65W  max, and a lot less at idle, according to reviews.

The GTX 750 Ti SC card that I have does not use a separate power connector so it cannot draw more than 75W from the PCIe slot according to the PCIe slot specs, If the most I've seen is a peak of 125W on the Kill-A-Watt meter when playing VP9 tables & the card has a maximum of 75W that's 200W total peak. Not a lot of headroom...

Don't forget that you'll get some of that headroom back because your Integrated Graphics will be disabled. 

[Brer Frog]

Finally got the GTX 750 Ti SC graphic card installed. The box listed a requirement of 300W with a minimum of 20A on the 12V rail. However it does state that is based on using an Intel i7 3.2GHz processor.

My quad core AMD has total power dissipation of 95W. Hopefully it will never max out, but just in case that would mean 95W/12A = 7.9A. The graphic card supposedly has a max of 65W. Therefore 65W/12V = 5.4A.  Combined those equal 13.3A. And that’s not including anything else. The PSU in my HP PC states it is 250W, with the +12V supplying 14A. Therefore I thought better to change it.

The 380W PSU I installed has a total wattage for the +12V rails of 336W. Therefore 336W/12V = 28A total. I installed it & powered it up without the graphic card to make sure it worked.

 

Graphic card went in OK but there was a problem with the driver. Don’t know if it was the latest driver I downloaded or some of the extra software enhancements that come with it, things that supposedly improve game play, etc, But I was periodically.getting the BSOD  So I used the older driver that came on the DVD, however it failed to install all those enhancements, but it did install the video & audio drivers & so far they work.

Before graphic card when playing several tables the PC power usage was typically 92W. Medieval Madness was about 93-97W, and the ball stuttered a lot. Turning off Windows Aero decreased the stuttering in MM a lot but it was not perfect.

With the graphic card the same tables caused the PC to typically use 119W. Good news is that MM had no stuttering even with Aero on.

I also tried a couple VPX tables. These were completely unplayable before the graphic card. I mean complete ball hang-ups & stuttering. With the graphic card no problems! FWIW the DT VPX Black Knight had the PC using 130-132W per the Kill-A-Watt.

 

I'm really glad I installed the graphic card. Having an extra PSU on hand was helpful.

 

The GTX 750 graphic cards I looked at, including mine, don't seem to have a VGA port. The norm seems to be an HDMI, a DVI, and a Display port. Or more ports if you spend more money. Both of my monitors have DVI and VGA so I picked up a Display port to VGA adapter. I got one on sale for $7 but it seems most adapters cost $15 to $30. At that point it might be worth looking at graphics cards with dual HDMI or DVI ports depending on your needs. My card came with a DVI to VGA adapter which did not help me.

 

Next step is to connect the second monitor.

Edited by Brer Frog, 06 June 2016 - 06:24 AM.