Graphics card update help needed

[Thomas B]

Hi guys, I am looking to upgrade my graphics card this christmas and was looking at moving up to a http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-GeForc...1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1356188929&sr=1-2 from a http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gt-440-channel/

My system specs are as follows;

Operating system:
Windows 7 Home Premium (x64) Service Pack 1 (build 7601)
Install Language: English (United States)
System Locale: English (United Kingdom)
Installed: 21/01/2012 12:18:05

System Model:
Hewlett-Packard HP Compaq 8200 Elite CMT PC
System Serial Number: CZC14750XR
Asset Tag: CZC14750XR
Chassis Serial Number: CZC14750XR
Enclosure Type: Mini-Tower

Processor:
3.40 gigahertz Intel Core i7-2600
256 kilobyte primary memory cache
1024 kilobyte secondary memory cache
8192 kilobyte tertiary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (4 total)
Hyper-threaded (8 total)

Main Cirucit Board:
Board: Hewlett-Packard 1494
Serial Number: CZC14750XR
Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: Hewlett-Packard J01 v02.

Controllers:
Intel(R) Desktop/Workstation/Server Express Chipset SATA AHCI Controller

Display:
NVIDIA GeForce GT 440 [Display adapter]
HP LA2405 [Monitor] (24.0"vis, s/n CN41370RZ0, September 2011)

Bus Adaptors:
Intel(R) 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 1C26
Intel(R) 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 1C2D

Multimedia:
NVIDIA High Definition Audio (4x)
Realtek High Definition Audio

(http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/13879_na/13879_na.pdf) < Link to the user manual, model is on the third page the Business PC.

I am currently using a GeForce Gt440 card which is quite old and struggles with performance on some games. I am interested in the Asus GeForce 560 TI but have no clue if it will even work in my machine, I looked towards the manual for my pc and it suggested cards worse than I currently have and I want better performance not worse! The manual says that I have 3x Full length PCI slots, 1x PCI Express slot and 2x Full Length PCI Express x16 graphics.

The 560 TI has according to amazon "PCI Express & PCI Express 2.0 support" and looking at the specifications of both on their respective websites the GT440 uses PCIE 2.0 x16 and the GT560 TI uses PCIE 2.0.

Given that the GT440 is already working in a PCI Express 2.0 slot is it safe to assume the 560 would be compatible?

GT440 specs; http://www.geforce.co.uk/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gt-440-channel/specifications
GT560 TI specs; http://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/NVIDIA_Series/ENGTX560_Ti_DCII_TOP2DI1GD5/#specifications

Would this card work? and if not could you suggest a card similar in capability that would?

Thanks in advance.

 

[LukeDJ]

Yes that video card will work with your motherboard.

However, it may not be the best value for money compared to the current gen video cards on offer.

For example, the newer Nvidia GTX 660 is the same price as the 560 Ti and offers around 30% more performance. Alternatively, the AMD Radeon HD 7850 costs even less and still offers better performance than the 560 Ti. I would highly recommend you go with one of these (doesn't have to be that exact model of 660 or 7850).

 

[Thomas B]

Yes that video card will work with your motherboard.

However, it may not be the best value for money compared to the current gen video cards on offer.

For example, the newer Nvidia GTX 660 is the same price as the 560 Ti and offers around 30% more performance. Alternatively, the AMD Radeon HD 7850costs even less and still offers better performance than the 560 Ti. I would highly recommend you go with one of these (doesn't have to be that exact model of 660 or 7850).

Thanks for the reply Luke, looking into the specifications will I still be able to use a card with PCIE 3.0 when I have a 16x PCIE slot? Im worried as my PC manual doesnt mention any 2.0,3.0 etc. Sorry for the questions im new to this

I looked at this card; http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-Direct...1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1356362633&sr=1-6

 

[LukeDJ]

Yes, PCIE 3.0 is backwards-compatible with PCIE, as it uses the same slot.

The only difference is that PCIE 3.0 has more bandwidth than regular PCIE or PCIE 2.0. However, you are unlikely to notice any major performance differences, especially with a mid-range card like the 660.

I looked at this card; http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-Direct...1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1356362633&sr=1-6

That is avery nice card, it should serve you very well