Powerful Graphics Card in Older PC?

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powerforce

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Master Geek

#59162 29-Mar-2010 10:55

Hey guys i have a question.
Im building a gaming PC as money allows, this means buying components as i go.

I figured it would be a good idea to buy a graphics card first as i should hopefully be able to use it in my current PC untill i have the required parts to build the new one.

My current PC is:
3.6Ghz celeron
2gb of ram
currently running geforce 7600gt graphics card.
300w PSU

my question is - can i run an ati 4870 card in this machine if i upgrade the PSU?
I realise the CPU / the whole system will be a bottleneck on the 4870 card but just wanted to make sure i wasent doing anything too stupid(dangerous) by installing an 800w PSU in above machine along with the 4870 card..
(it would only temporary untill i can collect all components needed for new build, then i will revert current PC back to 300w PSU and 7600gt card)

basially want to make sure my PC wont explode!
cheers :)

xpd

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#312360 29-Mar-2010 12:01

What sort of motherboard you currently running ?
Im on a NForce based 939 board and tried a newer ATI card in it around Xmas.... it hated it. Kept BSODing my system even during a fresh install.

Other older ATI cards I had tried worked fine but not the newer one.

Ended up with a better 2nd hand Nvidia card which I havent looked back on :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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powerforce

162 posts

Master Geek

#312368 29-Mar-2010 12:21

Thanks for the reply, im at work at the moment so am unsure of the exact motherboard.

Its not an aftermarket one, its just whatever came with the PC when it was bought so is proberbly pretty low end.

Really just want to know if its safe and wont physically damage the hardware.
thanks

xpd

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#312391 29-Mar-2010 13:26

If its an older board it maye not be able to use a newer card anyway.... newer cards are PCI-E - do you know if your current motherboard has PCI-E ?

Apart from that, PSU should be fine as the system will only draw what it needs, the PSU shouldnt be pushing out its full wattage :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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powerforce

162 posts

Master Geek

#312397 29-Mar-2010 13:51

hi there, yes it does have a PCI-E slot. -
it currently running a geforce 7600GT no probs.
I guess ill go ahead and give it a go!

One more question - Will i need to remove/uninstall the Nvidia drivers before i install the 4870 ? or can i have both sets of driver software installed?

Thanks!

xpd

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#312404 29-Mar-2010 14:17

In theory it should be ok, but in practise its a different matter ;) Personally Id remove the Nvidia drivers first, then remove the 7600 card. Install the ATI card, then drivers.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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heavenlywild

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#312410 29-Mar-2010 14:42

You might not be able to utilise the full power of your new video card until your processor is upgraded. Celeron was never made for gaming unfortunately.

Anyway, you may also need to upgrade your PSU for your much more powerful 4870 card.

EDIT: Just noted that you have mentioned about the PSU. 800W PSU is overkill really. Anything in the 600W range should be sufficient.

powerforce

162 posts

Master Geek

#312442 29-Mar-2010 15:46

thanks for the info everyone. much appreciated

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xpd

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#312445 29-Mar-2010 15:51

Heh, you mentioning Celerons not for gaming reminds me of when I got my Celeron 700 way back in the day... thought it was great until a friend came over with his new Duron 850 - everyone at the time said they were similar in speed etc, but his Duron kicked the #^#$ out of my Celeron in games ;)
And I had the better video car at the time too... I was gutted :) Purchased a P3 1ghz the next week.......

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Ragnor

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#312509 29-Mar-2010 17:40

I think you're at the stage where your current stuff is so old it's generally it's advisable to upgrade the cpu, motherboard, ram, psu, case, monitor and video card together/at once.