N-Alvorix-RS880-uATX (Alvorix) motherboard video card upgrade

[ecwhitby]

I have a P6719c with the N-Alvorix-RS880-uATX (Alvorix) motherboard.  It has a PCI Express x16 slot for a video card.  Is this slot and teh motherboard compatible with the PCI Express 2.0 cards, or would I have to stay with teh PCI Exptress 1.0 cards?

I know I have to upgrade the power supply.

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

A PCI-E version 2 card shouldn't be a problem. I would stay away from the Radeon HD 5xxx series cards.

Read through this posted document.

Review the bios and software updates for your PC.  The latest bios updates fixes quite a few issues.

What applications are you using that will require a discrete video card and a power supply upgrade?

[ecwhitby]

I want to purchase Mass Effect 3, and if I am reading the hardware recommendation correctly, the current on board video  does not meet the minimum requirements.

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

A mid-range video card should work well for your game.

This Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 is $125 after rebate.

This EVGA NVIDIA 550 TI is $110 after rebate.

Here is a comparison between the 6850 and the 550 TI.

This Corsair CX500 is an excellent power supply. It's $50 after rebate.

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

[ecwhitby]

Thank you

[Big_Dave]

You are welcome!

Let us know how your upgrades go.

[ecwhitby]

True, thats the real test.  The video card and power suppply should arrive this week, so I know what I will be doing saturday.

Then I can test ME3.