What would be a good graphics card for installing a Blu-Ray writer, & mild gaming?

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spitfyre

New member
What would be a good graphics card for installing a Blu-Ray writer, & mild gaming?

I Got an HP Desktop equipped as follows:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000 - 3.0 GHZ
Integrated graphics card - Geforce 6150SE nForce 430 with TV Tuner
3 GB RAM memory
500 GB hard drive
Window Vista 32 Bit Operating System
Everything is totally stock.

Was thinking about adding a Blu-Ray writer in the expansion bay underneath the current DVD multi-drive, and was wondering if I need a SATA drive or a IDE drive?
Also do I need to update the factory graphics card, add more memory, and add a bigger power supply as well for this? If so what would be good models or brands?

I'm trying to stay under $200 as far as the graphics card goes, so as to save towards to Writer.

Was worried about modifying this computer in any way that eventually would lead to problems in the future. All I do now is check & send e-mail, store music, burn some DVD's, and may start to do some mild gaming in the future as well.

Would appreciate any type of suggestions or info! Thanks!
 
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PhilipT

New member
You don't need to spend a lot of money for a video card that's plays BluRay, however, since the key to smart upgrading is planning ahead I would recommend something with a little more juice than you presently need.

An Nvidia 9600GT series would be a great card for you.
Examples:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3977353&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=9600gt

Here is another helpful link with a free tool called "CyberLink BD Advisor". It scans your PC & tells you what it needs to be ready to play BluRay.
http://www.cyberlink.com/prog/bd-support/diagnosis.do

You have a great CPU & more RAM than you need.
A minimum 400W power supply is needed for the 9600GT series.
Look for a 9600GT that offers HDMI output either direct or with an included adapter should you want to connect it to an HD TV.

Some cards also come with an internal audio cable to connect the video adapter to your sound card. This will allow sound transmission (as well as video) directly via the HDMI cable.

As for the BluRay writer ... I would wait until summer if possible.
Prices have already dropped considerably & will continue to do so, & better models will be replacing the initial series offered by most manufacturers.

regards,
Philip T
 
P

PhilipT

New member
You don't need to spend a lot of money for a video card that's plays BluRay, however, since the key to smart upgrading is planning ahead I would recommend something with a little more juice than you presently need.

An Nvidia 9600GT series would be a great card for you.
Examples:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3977353&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=9600gt

Here is another helpful link with a free tool called "CyberLink BD Advisor". It scans your PC & tells you what it needs to be ready to play BluRay.
http://www.cyberlink.com/prog/bd-support/diagnosis.do

You have a great CPU & more RAM than you need.
A minimum 400W power supply is needed for the 9600GT series.
Look for a 9600GT that offers HDMI output either direct or with an included adapter should you want to connect it to an HD TV.

Some cards also come with an internal audio cable to connect the video adapter to your sound card. This will allow sound transmission (as well as video) directly via the HDMI cable.

As for the BluRay writer ... I would wait until summer if possible.
Prices have already dropped considerably & will continue to do so, & better models will be replacing the initial series offered by most manufacturers.

regards,
Philip T
 
R

rerunx5

New member
I using a EVGA 9800GT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130380 and works great for gaming and etc. The card is 9in length so check if you have space to place it. You will need to get a new power supply about 500 watts (650 on mine). I would stick with SATA.
 
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