Hello!

I was looking to upgrade some of my computer's hardware for Christmas, but am unsure where to start. I was planning on a video card, and the video card will probabaly need a better power supply to accommodate it's power needs.

Here is a link to the specs of the computer:
HP Pavilion a6130n Desktop PC - Product Specifications

I hate the Integrated video card, It really falls short of what the sales rep said 3 years ago. Tried playing Quake 4 when I got it and the results were not great.

I'm asking you guys what parts that you think I should get/ ask for. I would try to look for myself, but I am very busy with school.

All help is appreciated!

If you need any info, let me know and I will try to find it.

The installed PSU is 250 Watts.

Operating Systems: Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit, Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit. (Dual boot)

Welcome
The one upgrade that appears at first glance is memory. With a 64 bit OS and a 32 bit Ultimate Seven, I would suggest at least 4 gb of ram. It will imporve the 64 bit. OS. I think that 6 would be a bit too much, unless you are into resource hungry games,etc.Dont mix and match. Discard what you have. Many may disagree, but I think that my way is best.
I will research a bit early tomorrow to come up with other upgrades, such as video card etc.

Hi Tnuh555,

Here's an article on how to replace/add a video hard in an HP desktop: Installing or Replacing a Video Card - HP technical support (United Kingdom - English).

You can use one that fits a PCI, PCI Express x16, or PCI Express x1 slot (you have one of each available according to the specs). Note several cards require two slots (of the same type), so you'll need to exclude those.

The card will tell you if you need a more powerful power supply - and it is VERY likely given that you currently have only 250W. Most cards want 400-500W.

There are many choices of video cards, but for your system I recommend the following: Every PC needs good graphics.. Note that it needs a minimum of 300W power supply, so you should get at least a 400W (as it's always better to have more power than speciified). I would also get the 1GB memory option so it will definitely support your games.

I believe that plus the memory upgrade Richard already recommended should take care of your needs for the time being.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

Alright, I was checking out the link for the Nvidia card that Lorien had sent, but this raises more questions. I assume the power supply would be easy to replace, It would include general directions. As for the graphics card, I seem to be worried about if it will seat properly. My motherboard is by ECS (Elite group). I went there because I did not notice anything for ECS mobos on the Nivida website.

The thing that gets me is that the motherboard is attached to the left side of the PC, the right panel comes off. When I look inside, the slots look backwards, that the little notch in the graphics card goes closer to the end with the ports, but the slot withing my pc has the little notch closer to the end with no ports. It's hard for me to explain, but you may get what I mean. I will look again, but I just figured Id put that out there. I will update with my findings soon.

My RAM seems optimal at 3 GB, if anything is still running slow, I will upgrade the RAM.
For now, the main concern is getting a dedicated video card, Integrated graphics are a joke.

I do thank you for your recommendation, I may just go with that video card. The prices really looked cheap enough.

I would look into that RAM, too. It will improve the perfrormance of the 64 bit.
If you want a good graphics card, etc. you may be into resource hungry games.
Press Alt Cntr Delete and see what is using most of the memory. You may be able to remove it from start up to improve performance, even with the current RAM
Best of luck to you
Come back with any further questions or problems.

Alright.

Time to open the tower .

Type :alt cntrl delete, and then task manager. Go to processs see what the big memory users are. May be able to disable and have better performance.

Originally Posted by richc46

Type :alt cntrl delete, and then task manager. Go to processs see what the big memory users are. May be able to disable and have better performance.

I know it's the graphics card. I tried that many times before and it seldom works. I want to play games like Team fortress 2 and Half life 2, with that, I need a graphics card.

As for looking in the pc, there are two open slots, one is really small. It is white in color. The other slot looks more like a PCI-E slot, it's a longish slot, black in color, with a lever to hold it in. As for the slots having the notch in the wrong spot, you can ignore that. I guess I was looking at the old PCI slots at the time. I really do appreciate the help. Now I just need to find a decent graphics card.

Should I be worried about who the motherboard manufacturer is though? I don't want to get the thing on Christmas morning and have to send it back.

Mabye a can of air would be beneficial too, it's quite dusty in there!