Hardware questions!!

[technical.angel]

I have a HP Pavilion a6710y http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218068107386

I want to get a new video card for it, as I can't get anything to plug into the onboard DVI port.

A friend suggested this.. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218072892035

Now, the constraints. I have a 300w power supply. All parts must come from Best Buy. I have $300 left on my BB cc.

I'm not opposed to replacing my power supply, if I need to. I want to make a good gaming rig that will last awhile with two monitors. I miss my second monitor. It was all monitory.

I'm also looking at http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218090910971

Go at it, hardware folks!

EDIT: Sorry for putting it in the wrong spot!

[Fire_on_High]

If you don't mind chancing the extra $8 or or on shipping, try your vid card first and see if it'll work. I've got a Pavilion Elite m9340f that shipped with a 350 watt and it's surprisingly robust. Just upgraded to a 9600 GSO and no issues.

[Broomjockey]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218049410617

I swear by NVidia, and this is a fairly solid card. Requires a 350W psu though.

[SteeleDragon78]

i would have to agree with BJ, that card is the next step up from mine and im able to get around 60fps on wow with minor tweeks that one might deal with all the lagginess i get with the higher settings

[technical.angel]

So, do you think my 300 will be okay, or do I need to replace my psu?

If I have to replace my psu, can someone suggest a good one? I was looking at the bfg brand.

[Broomjockey]

So, do you think my 300 will be okay, or do I need to replace my psu?

Depends, which card are you going for? The ATI, you'll probably be fine. NVidia, you'll need to up it. Not familiar with BFG's PSUs specifically, but I know their other stuff is solid.

[technical.angel]

I'm looking at the nvidia.

[Broomjockey]

Yeah, I'd go up to 350, 400 if you can't find that (though that'd be massive overkill). Done some research in the meantime and BFG power supplies seem just as solid as the rest, so if you can find a good deal, snag it.

[technical.angel]

So far, this is the psu I'm looking at.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218045946501

[Broomjockey]

Either that or this:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218090911639

would be fine. I've learned it's good to have two options for stuff like this, in case the store's sold out, or some such.

[technical.angel]

well, that one isn't carried in stores... and I don't want to waaaaiiiiitttt....

[TheSHAD0W]

That DVI plug probably has analog support, you should be able to get a DVI to VGA adapter. Check with your local small computer store, they should have one they'll give you for cheap/free.

[technical.angel]

I have the adapter.. but it's like the plastic is too thick in the bar part, and the adapter won't plug into it. So, I physically can't plug anything into it.

[TheSHAD0W]

Sounds like a little modifying is in order. Go find a friend of a friend who's good with computers. Or bring it to the Geek Squad or whomever is available; a few dollars spent there will be a lot less than buying a new video card and power supply.

[RichS]

I have the adapter.. but it's like the plastic is too thick in the bar part, and the adapter won't plug into it. So, I physically can't plug anything into it.

I wonder if the problem is that the DVI port for the onboard graphics is a DVI-D, and your adapter is for a DVI-I port.

Take a look at the picture on this page near the bottom - it shows the differences between both. The adapter doesn't work because the DVI-D port doesn't have the 4 pins surrounding the slot, but your DVI-I adapter port does.

I had a similar problem with a computer I set up for Media Center duty on my TV. The onboard graphics on the motherboard were powerful enough, so I was going to get an adapter to go from the DVI port or the VGA port to an analog output, but the DVI-D interface and the VGA port didn't support analog TV-out. I ended up having to get a graphics card.

As far as power supplies go, the BFG should be a good unit, and their customer support is the best. (BFG 9600 GT OC card fails, lost the receipt, they still replaced the card! )