Best video card upgrade for my current system. [ Edited ]

[Kabniel504]

My current system is the Compaq CQ5210Y.  I am using Windows 7 Home Premium. I was wondering if anyone could give me the best advice on what I need to upgrade my current video card. The current card is an onboard chipset Nvidia Geforce 6150SE Nforce 430. I am wanting to install a better graphics card for gaming if possible. The least amount of money spent the better but I am willing to here about any upgrades and prices that I could be informed about. I currently have a 250 watt power supply as well. The motherboard is a Pegatron M2n68-LA or according to Hp/Compaq it is named : Narra6-GL6. I appreciate any advice you could give and thank you in advance!

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01861133&cc=ad&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_r1002_us...

[lasvegaswireman]

HP has conflicting information about the motherboard in your CQ5210Y. Your link describes the system as having a Narra5 m/b, then under m/b description it claims Narra6. From what I can tell the Narra5 has PS2 mouse and keyboard ports, whereas the Narra6 doesn't. You can look at the back of your computer to verify this.

As far as upgrading the graphics card, you will also need to upgrade the power supply. The Corsair CX500 and CX600 come highly recommended and are forum favorites. For more information and advice about selecting a graphics card please see Big_Dave's Guide for Selecting a Discrete Video Card.

Frank

[Kabniel504]

    Thanks for your information Frank I really appreciate it. I do however have another question. If I do upgrade my video card will I have any conflicts between the new card and the onboard chipset Nvidia graphics card?  Or could this be handled through the Bios settings without causing any conflicts? I am currently looking at adding a Sapphire 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1 GB 256 Bit GDDR PCI Express 2.1 X16 HDCP ready cross fire support video card with eye infinity to my system. Of course the Corsair CX500 as well. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated again. I just dont want to spend the money to find out there might be a conflict between the cards.

                                                                                                                                                         Thanks Keith

  P.S. I do have the rear ports for my mouse and keyboard on the existing motherboard

[lasvegaswireman · Accepted solution]

You definitely have a Narra5 motherboard and it now appears that HP's website reflects that. Most consumer grade HP computers will automatically detect the discrete video card in the PCI x16 slot and disable the integrated graphics that are onboard. That is to say, if you plug a graphics card into the PCI x16 slot... you will no longer be able to use the onboard graphics ports. Lastly, please verify that the Sapphire HD 6850 isn't going to be too long.

Good luck,

Frank