Compatible Video Cards

[clebouef]

I have an integrated ATI Radeon HD3200 Graphics and i'm interested in getting a video card to put in. Does it have to be a ATI brand or would any brand work? The system is a Gateway DX4200-09. Any comments would be appreciated. Also I tried putting in a GeForce 9600 GT but after a while the screen freezes while gaming and I have to restart the whole computer.

 

[Lottiemansion]

Hi,

That card should be good enough as a basic upgrade, that is if you have upgraded the the PSU too. 300W is not nearly enought, you neeed 450W minimum otherwise you will get problems.

Have you upgraded the PSU?

 

[clebouef]

I have not upgraded the power supply. But I did notice when I took out the GeForce card that two of the capasitors must have blown as there are split at the top of them. Would the low power supply have caused this?

 

[Patonb]

Honestly a 9600 only needs about 350W, but I suspect heat is the issue. Check your temps using hwmonitor: CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting

My entire system maxed out runs 520W give or take. So its iffy if 300W will work.

EDIT

Split caps bad, but no a low psu won't cause it. You seem to have a crAp card.

 

[clebouef]

Thanks for the info, I downloaded the hwmonitor program. I check it out and post what the findings are.

 

[nostaw5]

Take it from me. If you have a gpu with heatsink there might be problems. They are nto a major threat but if they do get too hot as they often do while gaming then get a gpu with a fan. But that might need you to have a higher power supply.