Help out a PC newb

[Jazoni89]

Roughly around four months ago i brought a ready built PC, because i didn't have the technical know how, and ways to get the parts. I then realise that my pc wasn't up to snuff at all (a entry level geforce 200 series card only for streaming HD videos). So i brought a new card, a (ATI radeon HD 5730), but to my horror i realised i have only had a 300w PSU, so i took it back.

I also realised the card in the machine was bolted on by very little screws that i couldn't unscrew with any screwdriver i had, so i couldn't get it out anyway even if i tried.

I want to upgrade (to a Geforce GTX 460), but im not sure what to do.

What kind of wattage power supply do i need for the job?

Would my motherboard take the card if it takes other geforce cards?

Should i pay for it to get it all fixed in?

Could i have two cards in it at the same time, because if i was to fix it in myself those tiny screws on my entry level geforce card will be a problem.

Is their additional things i need such as wires or power cables?

This will really help me in my quest to get a awesome PC, because at the moment it feels like my PC is mocking me.

 

[Uber Evil]

Other specs for a more accurate answer? Or you could always try this. [http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp]

 

[Jazoni89]

Other specs for a more accurate answer? Or you could always try this. [http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp]

Four gigs of DDR3 Ram
Intel I5 650@ 3.20 ghz
Nvidia Geforce G210
300w PSU

Anything else?

 

[BENZOOKA]

Roughly around four months ago i brought a ready built PC, because i didn't have the technical know how, and ways to get the parts. I then realise that my pc wasn't up to snuff at all (a entry level geforce 200 series card only for streaming HD videos). So i brought a new card, a (ATI radeon HD 5730), but to my horror i realised i have only had a 300w PSU, so i took it back.

300W PSU is really underpowered. 350W used to be the standard a few years back.

I also realised the card in the machine was bolted on by very tiny little screws i couldn't unscrew with any screwdriver i had, so i couldn't get it out anyway even if i tried.

There should be just one small phillips screw? Get a small phillips screwdriver?

I want to upgrade (to a Geforce GTX 460), but im not sure what to do.
Would my motherboard take the card if it takes other geforce cards?

Post the specs of your computer before we can get into that.

What kind of wattage power supply do i need for the job?

I need to know the specs first, but roughly said, you'll do fine with a 550W quality PSU.

Should i pay for it to get it all fixed in?

If you feel really lost here, you should just take the computer to a shop, tell them what you want, and pay.

Could i have two cards in it at the same time, because if i was to fix it in myself those tiny screws on my entry level geforce card will be a problem.

No.

Is their additional things i need such as wires or power cables?

Like what? Elaborate.

 

[Worgen]

well to run a 460 you would probably need at least a 450 watt powersupply, a 500 would be better since at least the 460 I have wants 450 as the minimum requirements

if your motherboard will take a 200 then it should take a 460 no problem since chance are it uses a pci-e 16 slot and pretty much all vid cards made in the last 5 years use that

you can have 2 cards in at the same time, but only if they are the same card, like 2 460 gt cards, you can sli them but its kind of a pain to do unless you know how to do it and you would need a much beefier powersupply

getting a new vid card should have all the wires and such that you need

oh and most vid cards are attached to the motherboard with a single screw on the top of the metal bit on the back of the card, if its got a bunch of screws attached to it.... well it sounds like the maker of the pc wanted to be the only one who could upgrade it, personaly Ive never seen that but Ive been making my own machines for awhile now

 

[Ziadaine_v1legacy]

Wrong thread.

For a GTX 460 (your better off just jumping to a 480/570) you'll need 650W+ power supply. (general recommendation)

If your Mobo supports PCI-e Graphic cards, yes it'll support the GTX460+.

You can have 2 GPU's in, however you'll need about 700W+ Power, a SLI card peice to connect them and you might need an extra connector for power (so you'll need a splitter or something or if its a gaming based Power Supply it'll have enough cables.

 

[kurupt87]

What's the motherboard? More difficult to find out but google is your friend.

Either way, I think the advice board is the place for this.

 

[Private Custard]

Right, the GTX 460 will probably be a PCI Express x16, so you need to make sure your motherboard has the correct slot. That particular card will most probably take up two of the openings on the rear of your case. One for the video outputs and one for the air vent. A graphics card is probably the second simplest thing you can add to a PC as a novice, RAM being the easiest.

With regards to running two cards, if your motherboard is a micro ATX then no, two GTX 460s won't fit as they're pretty fat. All the GTX 4xx and GTX 5xx series GPUs are pretty big. I couldn't believe how much bigger than the 460 my new 470 is!

You'll probably want a minimum of 600w from your power supply. I've gone for 750w, but I'm running seven 120mm fans too!

You should also be asking yourself how future proof your motherboard is. If it can't take a lot of RAM, you could find yourself limited.

For your power supply, I'd recommend a brand such as corsair. No point skimping on it.

If you're really not confident with fitting it then yes, get someone else to do it. Be prepared to pay through the nose though.

 

[BENZOOKA]

Four gigs of DDR3 Ram
Intel I5 650@ 3.20 ghz
Nvidia Geforce G210
300w PSU
Anything else?

Get a 750W Corsair or similar, and you can power up that Geforce GTX 460. Just make sure the PSU gives out about 90% out of it's maximum output. Ask from a vendor, if your not sure.

 

[Jazoni89]

Roughly around four months ago i brought a ready built PC, because i didn't have the technical know how, and ways to get the parts. I then realise that my pc wasn't up to snuff at all (a entry level geforce 200 series card only for streaming HD videos). So i brought a new card, a (ATI radeon HD 5730), but to my horror i realised i have only had a 300w PSU, so i took it back.

300W PSU is really underpowered. 350W used to be the standard a few years back.

I also realised the card in the machine was bolted on by very tiny little screws i couldn't unscrew with any screwdriver i had, so i couldn't get it out anyway even if i tried.

There should be just one small phillips screw? Get a small phillips screwdriver?

I want to upgrade (to a Geforce GTX 460), but im not sure what to do.
Would my motherboard take the card if it takes other geforce cards?

Post the specs of your computer before we can get into that.

What kind of wattage power supply do i need for the job?

I need to know the specs first, but roughly said, you'll do fine with a 550W quality PSU.

Should i pay for it to get it all fixed in?

If you feel really lost here, you should just take the computer to a shop, tell them what you want, and pay.

Could i have two cards in it at the same time, because if i was to fix it in myself those tiny screws on my entry level geforce card will be a problem.

No.

Is their additional things i need such as wires or power cables?

Like what? Elaborate.

I have posted my specs above.

What is the minimum requirement psu for a geforce gtx 460?