Upgrade HP Pavilion p6130y Graphics Card

[HPownerUsername]

I'm trying to upgrade my computer for better gaming.  The product specifications for the p6130y are exact to my machine (no upgrades or anything).  I'm looking at:

Model: p6130y
Processor: AMD Phenom(tm)9750 Quad-Core Processor 2.40 GHz
Memory: 8 GB
64-bit OS (Windows Vista)
NVIDIA GeForce 9100 (on-board)

300W power supply

M2N78-LA (Violet) motherboard

From what I've look at, I can only upgrade the processor to the 9850, which isn't really much of an improvement, so nix that.  My RAM can be upgraded to 16GB, but 8GB should be plenty IMO.  I'm considering switching to Windows 7, but just saw stuff on Windows 8, so not sure about doing that quite yet.  I know my on-board graphics card is really bogging me down, but I'm very ignorant when it comes to compatibility.  I have 1 PCI Express 16-slot for graphics card.

I know I need to buy a new power supply since 300W is like super low-end if I want a better graphics card, but again, I don't know how to see if it's compatible.  I know it needs to be 24-pin motherboard and have SATA also.  The biggest issue I've run into is that most graphics card I found either don't specify or require 2 6-pin PCI-E, but then most power supplies either don't specify or only have 1 6-pin PCI-E.

Bottom line - I'm looking to spend up to $300 (ideally lower) for both the power supply and graphics card and need them to be compatible.  Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for anyone who helps.

[wb2001]

HPownerUsername,

I would not suggest you persue it. That motherboard is problematic. surprised your not complaining about the fan noise, then again, maybe your BIOS is only 5.08

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Other-Desktop-PC-questions/To-all-with-M2N78-LA-CPU-fan-constantly-chan...

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware/m8530f-desktop-PC-with-a-m2n78-la-mother-board-doesn-t...

[ibfrenchy]

That system would be cool to upgade.

pretty straitforward - like you said 300W may be a little on the low end so upgrading that should be fine. Just make sure you get one with the same physical dimensions so it fits in the case. (Standard size will work, and 460 or 600W should be fine)

RAM - agree 8MB is just fine

Video Card - pick one of the many out there, there are single and double wide, if you get one that requires an external power plug make sure the Power supply you purchase has one.

You have a PCIex16 slot available on that MB. here is a link to your MB spec.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01635734&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en...

good luck

bill

[pache59]

I have this exact same problem I upgraded the power supply a little over a year ago to 600W PSU now so i am just looking for a card that will physically fit and I was wondering if anyone knows if either one of these cards fit:

HIS Radeon HD 6850 IceQ X Turbo

http://www.amazon.com/HIS-Radeon-Eyefinity-Mini-Display-H687QNT1G2M/dp/B004SM6NIO/ref=lh_ni_t

HIS Radeon HD 6870 IceQ X Turbo

http://www.amazon.com/HIS-Eyefinity-DisplayPort-Express-H685QNT1GD/dp/B004JMZXM0/ref=sr_1_2?s=electr...

Both Under $200.

[1upac]

I have just purchased the xfx HD 6870 DD

that thing is huge! but still fits, however BLOCKS 2 sata ports

granted I have not tried it out yet since I still need a bigger psu but one thing is for sure is that even a 10 inch card will fit if you are willing to give up to sata ports

(Im just gonna unhook my cd drive and wire through usb that way both my HDD can be connected)

So yea, u can fit virtually any card in it.... but again i have not tested functionality since i need a more powerful power supply, but one thing is certain is that it fits.

[baygirl123]

Hi, I have read many of the blogs about the issue with the fan on high power. I had the same problem and I installed a 400w power supply that I happen to have and it seems to have solved the problem. the computer says that it has bios v 5.10. p.s. my computer is p6130y.