Is The HP Pavilion Elite e9120f's Graphics Card Upgradeable?

[JudyGrimes]

Hi,

I was thinking of upgrading the graphics card on my HP Pavillion Elite e9120f. 

It has an ATI Radeon HD 4350 with integrated graphics using nVidia GeForce 9100 and 300W powersupply. I know that, under most circumstances, if I upgrade the graphics card, I have to update the Powersupply to, but I am not sure what I can upgrade it to.

Are there any good graphics cards and/or power supplys?

Also, I had read somewhere that the graphics card is connected to the motherboard on this specific model. Is this true? And if so, does that mean I have to upgrade the motherboard as well?

Thanks in advance!

[Big_Dave]

Hi Judy,

Before we recommended the need for a bigger power supply and video card, can you elaborate with a little detail on why the need for a better graphics?  gaming? what specific games?  Do you have a specific budget in mind?

[JudyGrimes]

I'd like between 100-250, maybe three hundre max (but this is pushing it, especially if I have to purchase other paraphenalia like a PSU and the like). I really would like a higher end graphics card for gaming, such as COD and The Sims 3. My current card is a bit choppy and the rendering is not the best.

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

I am running COD MW3 with the NVIDIA GTX 460 on high settings at 1920 by 1080 and it performs well for me.

Open up your PC and do some measuring in parallel with the PCI-E x16 slot to see how long of a video card will fit. The slot adjacent to the PCI-E x16 slot needs to be vacant. Look carefully at the motherboard and makes sure that components on the motherboard don't interfere with the installation of the video card.

This AMD 6850 is a bit faster compared to my GTX 460 price is very good at $130 after rebate.  The card is 8.5".

This Corsair CX500 should have enough power for AMD 6850. It's $40 after rebate.

These HP 'how-to" articles should be helpful.

TIP: Remove the front bezel (cover) and unlatch the optical drive and move it forward before you remove and replace the PSU. It will make the installation easier. The cables of the new PSU will be longer so find an empty bay and tuck them away to improve air flow.  Install the PSU first and get your PC running before installing the video.

Look for a patch for Sims 3.  Depending on the number of Sims 3 adds, memory could be an issue but your PC is spec'd with 8GB so that should be enough.  Is Sims 3 certified for a 64 bit operating system?

Some applications will render to disk making disk I/O the bottleneck.  Keep that in mind if the new video card doesn't make a difference.

[JudyGrimes]

Big Dave,

Bless your technological soul. You know, indeed, what you are talking about but I may need you to describe this for me in laymen's terms. 

"Open up your PC and do some measuring in parallel with the PCI-E x16 slot to see how long of a video card will fit. The slot adjacent to the PCI-E x16 slot needs to be vacant. Look carefully at the motherboard and makes sure that components on the motherboard don't interfere with the installation of the video card."

I decided to take pictures to see if maybe they'll speak louder than my pathetic technological experience. Also, I measured the the video card (which is the red object I took pictures of, I think?). The card is about 6.5 long and 2.7-8 wide. From what I can see, I do not think it will effect the motherboard - but I am not sure. What do you think?

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4

Pic 5

Pic 6

[Big_Dave]

Hi Judy,

It's the finned aluminum heat sink in photo #4 that we want to make sure that it doesn't stickup too far and cause the video card not to install.   The AMD 6850 is about 8.5" so you have to measure back that far.  Look at the 6850 that I recommended and then eye ball the motherboard to make sure that it is going to fit.  It looks like a close fit from your photos.

P.S. ---> I had my steak last night.

[JudyGrimes]

Big Dave,

I was taking a look at it and I don't feel comfortable enough that it will fit. I may buy it from a MicroCenter if I can, but are there any other options regarding a slimmer card? I'm sorry if I'm driving you insane, but you have been so incredibly helpful!

And I'm glad! Julia Child would be very, very proud! Haha!

Thanks again!

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

You do have an option of taking your PC into the Microcenter and have them see if the card will fit.  I am sure that they can give you a quote for the video card, power supply and the labor for the installlation.

Most if not all of the faster video cards that would perform well for modern PC games are of the wider variety.