HP p6310f Desktop, Graphics changing

[fr_alderete]

I want to get the Hp p6310f, but the NVIDIA GeForce 9100 isn't too great...

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/product_detail.do?product_code=AY018AA%23ABA&aoid=20715&c...

I want to replace it with something like this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130435&cm_re=nvidia_geforce_9800_gt-_-14-13...

Would that work in the computer and is there anything on this website that can help me with the replacing of it?

Just a little guide or something... if not it's cool I just want to know if replacing it is too hard and if it will even work in it.

I'm not too up on these things.

Thanks if anyone replies!!!

[fr_alderete]

Also sorry for double posting but for 100 extra dollars is 8 gb ram over the six on that link worth it?

[acejavelin]

I will try to answer your questions one at a time...

First, the card from Newegg in your link might work, although the p6310f does not meet the power supply requirements for the card. Look in the specs of the card on Newegg and you will see a minimum 400 watt power supply is required, and the p6310f (at least, the one I have) has a 300-watt power supply. I use a couple year old Nvidia 8500GT PCI-X card that supposedly requires a 350-watt power supply with no problems though. Graphics card power requirements are often exaggerated, see this thread for more info:http://archive.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=7&t=9354 Note that in the article the Nvidia 9800GT can draw over 100watts by itself so if you really want this card I would beef up the power supply.

BTW, even my older 8500GT gives MUCH better performance then the embedded 9100 graphics, and it is only considered a mid to upper mid-level card now days.

Adding 2GB of memory could give you slightly better performance, but most users would not notice much of a difference unless you are a running lots of memory intensive applications simultaneously. So is it worth $100, not in my opinion... load up a bunch of your apps and check the task manager and see what your free memory is

The best bang for the buck would be to get a quality mid-grade to lower high-end video card, this will give you two distinct upgrades, one directly in the form of better video performance, and one indirectly in the form increased available RAM since the system will not have to share system RAM with the graphics processor, this can be an increase of 256MB-2.9GB of available memory to the system depending on application and installed video card.

What I decided to do was install an aftermarket video that I already had, freeing up a little memory, and wait a year or so and see if the DDR3 memory drops some, and possibly pickup 2 or 3 sticks of 4GB memory later.

Just my two cents worth...

As far as a guide, installing a video card is pretty simple and only takes a few steps... 

1. (Optional) Go into setup and change the primary video adapter to PCI-Xpress 16

2. Power down and UNPLUG the power supply A/C cord

3. Open the case and pop out the cover for the appropriate card slot

4. Insert card and fastener screw, make sure it is seated properly

5. Replace cover on case, move monitor cable to new card, connect A/C power and turn on PC

6. Follow instructions that came with video card, typically boot up, insert CD when prompted and you are all done.

I say step one is optional because almost all HP's I have had will disable the onboard graphics automatically as soon as an add-in card is detected on bootup, but now that multiple monitors are common I am not sure and I just can't remember what I did with mine.

[Big_Dave]

Look here for the NVIDIA performance comparisons and here for the ATI performance comparisons. 

If you install an upper end graphics card, your PC should have at least a 500 watt power supply.  The down side to more wattage is more heat.  The ATI 5750 is a low wattage card which peaks at 108 watts or so.  The NVIDIA GTX 260 on the other hand will use up to 300 watts.

If you should decide to upgrade your power supply then don't buy one with cables that fit a full tower cabinet or you'll have issues with where to put the extra cable.  The like the Enermax modu86+ for smaller cabinets but there are other good brands.

6gb is enough unless you are running virtual machines.

[snipe]

My m9450f came with a 9800GT it was a great mid range card, but I upgraded to a GTX280 and a new PSU.  I would consider getting the 9800GTX as it is only abotu $20.00 more and pack a little more punch (it is also a dual slot card).  What aer you going to be doing with this new video card?  Playing newer high end games or older games? If it is the newer games then consider a little more power in the GPU like a GTX260 216 core, but if you just like playing older games (withing last 2 yrs) then the 9800 GT or GTX will be fine.

My self I play new high end games like Battlefield Bad Company 2 which is a power house, I did a complete change in my system from HP to sorta custom, my Q9300 is now running @ 3ghz and with the GTX280 I get sweet performance. 

This is what is looked like after upgrade in HP case

This is what is looks like now with complete changes. I have changed teh CPU Cooler to Cooler Master Hyper 212

[Big_Dave]

snipe,

Very nice system but it's no longer a HP system.  However, you got some great stuff and your cabinet is really neat.

[snipe]

Ya the only parts that are HP still (came with HP system) RAM, CPU, CD/DVD, I tried to take the wireless card but they attach the antenna to the case.  If your case looks the same inside as mine then you could potentially fit an ATI 58xx card in to it, but you would need to do some cable management.  Just measure the space and check the new card, also make sure your PSU is enough like stated before.

[acejavelin]

Another idea for a video card that can give you a big boost in graphics performance, that is relatively inexpensive for what you get, and will work with the included 300-watt power supply is an ATI 4670 based card with 512MB of GDDR3 memory. It has low power requirements and will increase your video performance significantly, putting both Windows Experiences for graphics indexes right around 6.0 and it can be had online for around $70, such as a Sapphire 4670 at Newegg here:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102820