Pavillion 9220y Video Card Upgrade [ Edited ]

[stratogod]

Hello, 
I was hoping an expert can help me upgrade/configure a new video card for a HP Pavillion Elite 9220y desktop.

I have done some light research on the matter, but would REALLY appreciate some assistance!

So right now the machine has the integrated ATI Radeon HD 4350 - which it comes with, which I'm sure is fine for the casual user, but I want a massive upgrade to play new games on.  Unfortunately, I am stuck with this computer, so I can't build a new custom machine, so I just want to upgrade my current video card... the rest of the system works great though.

My questions are:

• Can I upgrade the video card on this specific machine  HP Pavillion 9220y?  
• I read that I can replace the card using PCIex16 slot? but is this PCI-E slot 1.0 or 2.0?  I couldn't find it in the spec sheets...
• If so, what kind of cards are compatible with it and are good for gaming?
• Would I need to buy an additionanl power source to run the additional power demand?  If so, what is a good one that will work for the 9220y? http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=58&name=Power-Supplies

This is just a lot to wrap around my head and I want to make sure I go about this the right way before I upgrade or purchase anything!
Again, any help would be most appreciated
Steve

[Big_Dave · Accepted solution]

Hi Steve,

1. Yes you can install a video card in your PC.

2. The discrete video card will install in the PCI-E x16 slot.  HP doesn't post the PCI-E slot specifications but a video card rated for PCI 2.0 will normally be backwards compatible with PCI 1.x slots.

3. Gaming cards have different performance levels and your choice will depend on the game being used and game settings. Check out the game manufacturer's web site and forum and see what others are using.

4. Most decent video cards will require a bigger power supply.  The p9220y only has a 300 watt power supply.

These are the motherboard specifications for the p9220y. Since most of the better video cards are wider than normal single slot card, then slot adjacent to the PCI-E x16 slot need to be vacant.

I make a couple of suggestions but I am really in the dark about your gaming requirements.

The Corsair CX600 should have enough wattage for most video cards.

The NVIDIA GTX 550 TI should have enough power for most video games at the higher settings. Screen resolution is a performance factor.

You should open up your PC and measure the physical dimensions of your power supply.  Here is a list of things to consider:

1. Specifications
2. Total wattage - important
3. 12+ volt amperage rating - important
4. Modular - not mandatory but I like the flexibility
5. Warranty
6. i7 and SLI ready
7. Efficiency rating
8. Cost
9. Physical size -- standard ATX PSU is 5.5" by 5.9" by 3.4" give or take a few tenths
10. A single 12+ volt rail is a better choice.

www.newegg.com has lots of PSUs choices.  Corsair, OCZ, Rosewill, Thermaltake.....

Review the NVIDIA performance specifications. Look at the memory bandwidth specifications and the DirectX level support.

How to replace a power supply.

How to replace a video card.

[stratogod]

Hey Dave,

Thank you so much for your reply - I appreciate it!

After I posted this I went on to further research the topic and pretty much did everything you outlined and suggested.  

What is crazy is that before reading this post - I ended up buying a NVIDIA GTX 550 ti AND a 600W Corsair!  Isn't that insane???

I was able to take apart my machine and have already installed both the new video card and power supply in the p9220y - and everything works superb.  I can now run many games on high fps and resolution...

Again thanks for your prompt response and help!  Got it all worked out now

Thanks,

Steve

[Big_Dave]

Hi Steve,

Good show and thanks for telling the forum users about your success.