[zlee415]

I just bought GTA IV for my computer. It plays descent, but I do have to have my settings all low. My current system is-
Manufacturer: Acer
Model: Aspire X3200
Processor: AMD Phenom 8400 Triple-Core Processor 2.10 GHz
Memory (RAM): 4.00 GB
System type: 64-bit Operating System
Graphics Card: GeForce 8200 (I'm pretty sure its built into the motherboard)
So I'm buying a new graphics card for the computer. I'm looking at prices up to $80.
I appreciate all of the suggestions.
By the way, I have a really compact processor. I can't fit to much in their.

[Triple6]

Well you've picked a bad system for gaming, anything thats in a tiny case like that is going to be limited by physical size of the card, power supply requirements, and heat dissipation. So that means you'll never be able to get a mid to high range card into that system.

I think your best bet is going to be the Radeon HD 5570: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102874
Its a bit more then your budget but gaming and low budgets are the worst combination and pretty much contradict each other. What the Radeon has going for it over the Geforce 9600GT which is its next better competitor is that it uses less power and its a newer generation of card - DX11, Eyefinity, etc.

[zlee415]

Damn, alright. Well I personally didnt buy the pc. I recieved it for christmas, but If I new bigger was actually better then I would have asked for a bigger processor. It actually is really good with keeping cool. It's never gotten really hot on me even when playing gta iv. I'm taking my processor to geek squad tomorrow to get suggestions from them on graphic cards. I dont know maybe they can put all my stuff in a bigger case so I can add on more easily.

[Triple6]

You'd need a new case and a new power supply. You'd lose all Acer warranty and some other components wouldn't work or would be lost such as media card reader which is built for that case or built into the case.

Although getting a new case would mean a new power supply as well but any mid or high end card would need a much better power supply anyway.

It stays cool now because thats the way its designed and has nothing that generates lots of heat; such as a dedicated video card. Its main function is to be a quiet, cool, and small media center.

Make sure Geek Squad doesn't sell you some low end piece of junk card or power supply if you end up getting a different computer case.

Your $80 budget will disappear instantaneously if you decide to get a new case, power supply, card reader, and decent mid range video card.

P.S. Processor refers to a single component in the actual computer - the CPU. The whole thing is called a "computer" or possibly a "tower".

[zlee415]

Gotcha, thanks for the help man.

[Syst3mSh0ck]

I'd recommend getting either an ATI 4890 or GeForce 260, but make sure your PSU has adequate wattage and amperage before commiting.

[Compiler]

As Triple6 says... the 5570 is your best bet. It does have a PCIe 16x slot which is a good thing but a 220watt PSU which *may* be powerful enough to handle the 5570 (I'm doubt that). The 5570 is aimed at small computers like yours - but they make gaming versions which have a bit more room and more poweful PSUs about 400watts.

Honestly thou, GTA IV doesn't even play well on a good gaming system, its a very bad console port. Very buggy, but the patches do help.

The issues with GTA IV will apply to almost any modern game out there in terms of ability on your computer... which is flat out not made for gaming. Its caught between NETTOPs and desktops.

If you have a PS3 or a 360, that would be your best bet.


It would be a loss to spend money trying to make the Acer into something it was never built to be. To buy a gaming system of quality would be about $600~700 from Ibuy~something (forgot).

[Compiler]

Originally Posted by Syst3mSh0ck

I'd recommend getting either an ATI 4890 or GeForce 260, but make sure your PSU has adequate wattage and amperage before commiting.

Besides that such cards are out of production and would costs about $180~200, Its rather difficult to install video cards that are almost as big as the computer he has... its a slim-line design.



Looking at the photo. The PCIe 16x slot is up against the side of the case. many 5570 card would not fit because of its HSF (Cooling fan). Some 5450 or 4450 cards would fit and improve the game somewhat.

Oddly, on the ATI website, it says they recommend a 400watt PSU for 5450?! And 350w for the 4350... where do they get these numbers? For the low-end market, most computers have at least 300w. I think the 4350 would be safe on a 220w unit... but it would improve your game play abit, but settings would have to be on LOW.

[Syst3mSh0ck]

Sorry I didn't read it properly Can't really offer much advice on HTPC systems havn't built or worked on one for a while.

[zlee415]

well I asked the same question on yahoo answers, and a guy recommended this card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121353

[Compiler]

er... okay... Why do you need an opinion about facts concerning the limitation of your hardware? There was nothing more to go with what you have.

This is a TECH HELP site, meaning there will be more people who know more about PCs than on Yahoo Answers (which does work too).

So... how do you think you're going to fit that card into your computer? Some of these cards would fit, but your power supply is too weak: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...n=4350&x=0&y=0

Your are limited by:
- Size & space
- power supply
- budget ($80)

So your options all require money to either buy another computer, do a hack job or live with what you have.

$50 450w Drive-PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...power%20supply

You can set this outside your case and run the wire bundle... but looking at the photo, it won't work. ugh. There is another brand that is like this... it needs to deliver power to the motherboard, not just video cards. But if you can find it, it goes for about $60~70, I thought thermaletake makes them... or used to.

You could also buy a $35 430 watt PSU, and run the wiring into your computer - leaving the cover off. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-023-_-Product

Then you can power up any video that will fit into your case (low profile) and with the cover off - the heat-sink/fan will be okay to stick out - since it will be facing up.

Then you can use these... which are pretty much the most powerful low-profile cards you can buy:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...e=&srchInDesc=

And many will convert to a normal size card.

[Triple6]

That card is a full size card, it simply won't fit.

[zlee415]

I have about $160 total to work with maybe a little more, but I either have to find somone who knows alot about computers. Who could help me install everything, or I have to spend $50 for geek squad to install the ****. If there are multiple things then they might charge even more. If I bought a say 420w power supply thing. Then what suggestions on cards would I be getting exactly?

[zlee415]

Right now I myself am currently looking for the best card my system can run that cost $120 or less. I'm not wanting to spend that much on the card though, because I may be having to buy other **** for the computer. Any suggestions on a card costing $120 or less that my system can fit, and run as is? (leaving out $50 for installation from geek squad)

[zlee415]

Ok uhm if I bought a psu would it add power to what mine already has. Or would it just override it, and use the power from the psu I bought.