MMORPG Gamer Community

HolyAbyssal · 03-06-2011

I happen to be looking for looking for a graphics card, since I just have a chipset that came with my computer. Been suffering from horrible FPS in WoW recently, so I thought to look for one (being low on funds as I am). The problem is that I need a card that's built for a desktop computer (will have pics down below), and I have no idea what most terms and jargon for techie speak is, and no eHow articles or anything of that sort seem to work for me.

lolpicsofhardware pictures by HolyAbyssal - Photobucket

^pics of motherboard

Figured out I have 1 PCI port? And looking at this card atm
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100253HDMI Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card

kag · 03-06-2011

What's the current specs?
You can use Start -> Run -> dxdiag to check

HolyAbyssal · 03-06-2011

Spoiler!

All of it, copypasta'd

I have 4gb ram, just I haven't upgraded to w7 64-bit from my shoddy xp

GreenGod · 03-06-2011

That white slot is a PCI slot. That's for really old video cards or other miscellaneous cards (sound or wireless for example). But there seems to be a black slot above it in the third picture. That could be your AGP slot, used for somewhat old video cards. Also, if you try to use it you would need to put your hard drive elsewhere, as it probably won't fit.

For video card slots it's PCI < AGP < PCI Express. It looks like your motherboard has the first 2, but the HD 4650 needs the third.

kag · 03-06-2011

Judging from the specs i think the PC has PCIE

What's the model name and number?

EDIT: Oh wait nm i saw it

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/A-and-M-...tre/m-p/249575

The ultra small form factor doesn't have PCIE.
What's the full model name/number?
It should be something like this (M58-7359-A23)

You should upgrade to 64 bit as well if you intend to get a graphics card cause 32bit can only address 4GB of memory inclusive of your graphics card.
eg. if you buy a 512MB graphics card, you would be able to only use 3.5GB of system RAM the other 512MB will not be usable.

HolyAbyssal · 03-06-2011

From looking at the dxdiag, the model is 7483CTO

edit: The stickers on the bottom of it and such have the same number on them also.

Oh also, I got this computer custom (parents got it, not me) for christmas last year so no idea why it has no PCI-E slots.

GreenGod · 03-06-2011

From the dxdiag and the pictures, it looks like this would be the manual for your motherboard (Lenovo m58p 7483):
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub...df/46r4690.pdf

So, the black slot should actually be a PCI Express. If you look closer around it, you might find it labeled. If not, a close up image might be enough to identify it.

It should be like the PCI Express x16 from the picture.

HolyAbyssal · 03-06-2011

Yes, it is an PCIE x16.
I just checked it, so this widens my horizons for some cards.

Metty · 03-06-2011

I personally use a 1GB 5750 worked great with WoW.

Henreh · 03-06-2011

no matter how good your video card will be, your CPU will limit the video cards performance.

Shugi · 03-06-2011

Before suggesting anything, can you make sure that a video card will even fit in the case? You need 2 brackets in the back for the video card to fit.

Firzin · 03-06-2011

You probably need to upgrade your power supply too. Seems like your computer only comes with a 280 watt PSU.

Shugi · 03-06-2011

I read through the entire thread again and it seems that there are quite a lot of upgrades you will need to do. I personally would say it's not worth spending any more money on your current system. I would suggest either waiting it out until it dies or spend a little more for a custom built new system. Manufacturer built systems have too many constraints, a lot of it being physical. BTX casing is a pain to work with.

HolyAbyssal · 03-06-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shugi

I read through the entire thread again and it seems that there are quite a lot of upgrades you will need to do. I personally would say it's not worth spending any more money on your current system. I would suggest either waiting it out until it dies or spend a little more for a custom built new system. Manufacturer built systems have too many constraints, a lot of it being physical. BTX casing is a pain to work with.

As I was reading the review of multiple cards, I dawned upon the same solution.

I think I'll just wait it out, because by then I'll be able to afford my own system (hopefully), and such.

Thank you all for the help though.

..wonder if I can play Rift on it though..

kag · 03-07-2011

If you intend to budget you can get AMD Llano APU
It shouldn't cost much and it should be able to do some light gaming.

Do consider this option if you want to save on discrete graphics and keep your whole case small.

HolyAbyssal · 03-07-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by kag

If you intend to budget you can get AMD Llano APU
It shouldn't cost much and it should be able to do some light gaming.

Do consider this option if you want to save on discrete graphics and keep your whole case small.

Thanks for the vid, I may consider it when I get around to purchasing a new PC. Not yet though, this one is still fine c:

MMORPG Gamer Community

Hot MMO Wikis