It has a sticker on it saying AC230V, so I think that's OK. How hard would it be to replace the video card?
It has a sticker on it saying AC230V, so I think that's OK. How hard would it be to replace the video card?
It's rather easy Imo, this video may help.
Thanks for the link, looks simple enough. Thanks so much for all the help, I think we are going to buy the card sometime before GW2 comes out, but we'll decide later. Thanks again.
To be able to recommend a video card upgrade we'll need to know the power supplies rated wattage and the amperage rating on the 12v rail(s). We can find this out with a model number. The ac230v is only pointing out the orientation of its ac settings. North America uses 115v and most of Europe uses 230v, what I think you were reading was the number on the switch that changes settings.
We also need to know if the motherboard has a PCI-Express slot or not because the 8400 GS can come in either a PCI or PCI-Express model. If it has a PCI-Express slot you're in luck because new video cards use PCI-Express.
Caution: If you open the case to look do not touch anything unless you're grounded. A human can discharge static electricity when touching computer parts and it can fry them. You'll need something like an anti-static wrist strap.
Edit: Nevermind that other video card suggestion because I'm noticing your price range is in pounds and it corresponds with the 230v power supply.
The video card I suggest for playing guild wars 2 on highest settings for someone on a budget is the 6850.
The 550 ti is a terribly priced video card for its performance, the gtx 460 can be found around the same price and it blows the 550 ti out of the water. The 6790 is also a good deal better than the 550 ti at the same price. The 550 ti is good for people with a limiting power supply as it only uses 116w, but its performance is not very good. A 5770 or 6770 can be found cheaper than the 550 ti and they will offer around the same performance at about 108w.
But the 550 ti can't even really compare to the 6850 and it's only a little more expensive.
The 560 ti has much better performance than the 550 ti and also does better than the 6850.
Here's the TDP of video cards to come up in this thread so far:
8400 GS: 40w
5770/6770: 108w
gtx 550 ti: 116w
6850: 127w
6790: 150w
gtx 460: 160w
gtx 560 ti: 170w
Last edited by Kenjitamura; 03-31-2012 at 09:48 PM.
Had a more detailed look and have found this out from the PSU.
Serial No. GEL020511
Rating 230v - 3A 50Hz EN60950
Is this information sufficient?
Would the 6850 work on my PC then?
Last edited by trumper40; 04-03-2012 at 11:23 AM.
Still doesn't really help because a google search of the serial number isn't giving any information. When your computer is turned off take off the side panel by removing the screws on the back of the case and there should be a sticker on either the side or bottom of the power supply. We need to know the 12v information and the total wattage.Originally Posted by trumper40
Here's a picture if it helps U12-41525-call02-jfwd.jpg. We need to know how many amps are on all of your 12v rails so you'll have to tell us are on +12v1, +12v2, etc.
Thanks, I understand now! I'll have a look tomorrow and hopefully won't blow myself up in the process.
Model: ATX-500C
450w.
Need any more information or do I need to back down there?
I'll also need to know the combined amps on the 12v rails. If you have two rails it'll be split into +12v1 and +12v2. A 6850 will require a power supply with 25 amps or more on the 12v rails. Even without knowing about the rails I think your system would definitely handle a 7770 which offers about 90% the performance of the 6850 at a much lower power draw. I've heard the new AMD graphics cards have much higher prices in Europe than they do in the U.S. so I'm not sure it's worth it. Here you can get a 7770 for $140 which while still overpriced at least isn't ridiculous. Anyway, your system might very well be able to handle a 6850, I have read a ton of reviews where people are using it with a 450w power supply and it does fine. If you wanted to be safe but still get most the performance I'd suggest the 7770 because it only has a tdp of 80w so it gives 90% the performance at 63% the power draw. But guild wars 2 will be very playable on a 6770 or 550 ti if you want to consider them.
Sorry for the delay, been away for a while.
DC +3.3v +5v +12v -5v -12v +5vSB
Output 22A 23A 22A 0.5A 1A 2A
Max
I think that this means that the 6850 won't work, as the way I read it a 12v only has 22A.
The 7770 would work then?
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