A gamble of the graphics (and maybe mobo + ram)

iseeuu said:

Hello Katokato;

Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems your main concern is the length of the video card physically making contact with the memory sticks? Not to worry. If you look at the pictures of the video cards on Newegg, the side of the video card, the back side, is flat and has no electronics that would keep it from inserting correctly in the PCIe x16 slot. What you would have is that the thumb catch that holds the memory stick secure (plastic) might touch the back of the card (not a problem), however you would NOT be able to open that thumb catch to remove the memory stick until you first remove the video card, a minor inconvenience.

Just because both of the discrete and integrated card have both 1gb memory (intergrated has 128 mb dedicated the rest is shared), the intergrated takes slower to access the infromation in the system RAM, than it takes to access its own memory dedicated to drawing pictures, therfore since the discrete card has 1gb of its own dedicated memory, it will be faster to retrieve the data on its own memory set/chips, because it is closer to itself and the pcie bus, than that of the ram's.

If you want to make sure you have no clearance issues, you can use the next slot, the little brown slot, PCIe x1, with a video card like this one: Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Video Cards & Video Devices,Desktop Graphics / Video Cards,PCI Express x1

I am wondering about your choice of video card, the XFX HD-575X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5750 1G. Now I am not criticizing your choice, just wondering? At some time in the future are you planning to purchase a second identical video card and put the two cards in one computer and link them with the "Cross fire" feature? If so, fine. But if not, why are you paying for stuff you are not going to use? Isn't that a waste of money?

Seriously, I am not a gamer. I do not purchase the newest electronics as they are released just to have the fastest system possible. For one, I can't afford that. Second, I do not see the value of bragging rights in having bigger, or faster, or more memory etc. I am more into the fastest computer for the least amount of money, so I purchase last years best, or even two year old components because they sell for 10 cents on the dollar from when they were the latest and hottest new item.

Honestly, I don't think you can measure the difference in performance on your HP computer if your video card had 512 MB or 1 GB of memory. But I did see some other 1 GB video cards, without the "Cross Fire", for less than the Radeon 5750 but very close in specs:

$70: XFX HD-545X-ZHF2 Radeon HD 5450 (Cedar) 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16

$80: XFX HD-557X-ZHF2 Radeon HD 5570 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express

The thing about building a killer gaming computer system is to remember the performance is always limited by the weakest link. All of the components must be equally matched to use the max from each one. If I had the money ($5,000 for example) it would be a blast to research and locate the fastest matched set of components available. I would really enjoy the challenge. There are some members of Seven Forums that do that for fun full time. You could learn a lot from them.

In your case, I would suggest you start saving up your money, putting it away in a savings account until you can build yourself that killer computer. For example, both of these cards would scream in your computer:

XFX HD-545X-YNH2 Radeon HD 5450 (Cedar) 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express

XFX PVT94GYAJG GeForce 9400 GT 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express

and they are both about $55, allowing you to make a good start on your "Killer Gaming Computer" project savings account!

Of course in the end the decisions are yours, and if you derive pleasure from your computer after investing in your new components, you will never hear criticism from me. Been there, done that, wish I had some of that money now! <BG>

Cheers, my friend!
Robert

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Ed Canuck said:

Hi Kato,

There's no reason it shouldn't fit in your PCIE slot.

With 1GB of memory, the only effect on your RAM should be to reduce the usable RAM on your system. You've already got 4GB with 3.3 usable; that 3.3 is going to go down, probably by the difference between 1GM and the size of your current 6150 card's memory, as the video memory uses your general RAM (see The system memory that is reported in the System Information dialog box in Windows Vista is less than you expect if 4 GB of RAM is installed).

You'll have to weigh the pros and cons.

Ed

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