Graphics card question

Hi all
Been away for around a year, looking to get back into it. I've just inherited a HP p6733w AMD Phenom II X 2 511 processor 3.40 GHz with a integrated Radeon HD 4200 graphics card. I'm wondering what I could switch to in the way of a Nvidia card that can run the game smoothly with nice graphics. I don't mind investing a few hundred if that's what it takes. Any ideas? Thanks for any info!

The biggest problem is going to be the low end PSU that comes with your machine.

AMD/ATI 6570 should cover your needs and be low power enough for your PSU.

Nvidia GT 430/440 would be the way to go if you prefer nvidia.

Keep in mind that the evil marketing departments are out there to fool you, so don't assume the GT 520 is a better card, it sadly is a worse card.

First the HD 4200 is an integrated graphics processor, part of the motherboard chipset and it steals memory from the system. It's very weak, sub 30fps at 1024x768 in a window with older zones in the game, sub 20fps in the revamped zones like Atlas or Praetoria. This is with the standard graphics settings slider set in the middle, no ultra mode features but still relatively pretty (my folks have a similar HP that I play on when I visit).

The PSU in HPs are laughably weak at the 12 volts modern video cards need. Any video card other than the cheapest ones of the current generation will probably malfunction due to lack of power or simply shut down the power supply.

The GT 520 is better but it's really a card designed for Blu-ray and other video playback than it's gaming ability.

The HD 6570, GT 430 or GT 440 are 50-70 watt cards. Your PSU is only 250 watts and not a lot of that is available at 12 volts after the CPU, motherboard and drives are fed. Sorry but even a modest video card will need you to swap the power supply. I recommend the Antec EA-380D, EA-430D or EA-500D. They are the same size as the PSU that is in the HP which is important because that case isn't all that deep, front to back. Even the EA-500D is currently under $50 at NewEgg. Once you have plenty of power reserves, it opens up a fairly large selection of video cards for your use.

Thanks, guys! I had already planned on upgrading the power supply. Two more quick questions: Will the Nvidia GT 440 run ultra mode, and if so, which particular model am I looking for? I noticed several different versions of that card.

Maybe at low enough resolution at minimal UM settings but generally not, assuming you prefer greater than 30fps walking around in a zone.

Back when they first introduced UM, they suggested that the 512MB 8800GT/9800GT had the minimum graphics horsepower needed for minimum UM settings (but no info on resolution or what framerate they thought was acceptable). Using that as guide then you are looking at either the GTS 450 or GTX 550Ti as the two "current" low end nVidia cards that could support UM turned on.

Of course your millage may vary, everyone has different thresholds of what is an acceptable balance between framerate, resolution and "pretty". Some experimentation to find that balance with whatever you get is required.

Some kind words of warning.

Keep in mind that pre-built systems from popular name brand 3rd party resellers are not built with the gamer and DIYer in mind.

You might find the HP case very snug to fit a replacement PSU (since most will be larger) and very little room for any of the high power large video cards (due to smallish case). Nor do they have the cooling available to handle some of the hotter beasts.

Honestly, you want to sink as little as possible into that thing.

The eVGA GTX 560 is 8.25 inches long at is two slots wide for the entire length. It's shorter than the motherboard (9.6") and looking at internal pictures of your system, the only problem that could exist would be if something tall is sticking up off the motherboard under the space the video card will occupy and I can't tell that from the photos.

With an upgraded power supply, I don't see why not. I should point out that the Antec BP550 is 0.6" longer front to back than the PSU HP puts in there (which is standard size). Also not sure if there are any stops or latching mechanisms in the case that could prevent you from using a longer power supply than the standard sized ones.

The modular cabling of the BP550 should help keeping the cable mess down and the larger fan should improve airflow and internal temperatures considering all the side venting HP has in those cases.

When you get around to replacing the power supply I would suggest taking a lot of photos of how the miscellaneous cabling is connected to the motherboard in the off chance you accidentally dislodge any of them while working on it since HP's documentation isn't all that forthcoming about case to motherboard cabling. Depending if you are a novice at this, you may be able to puzzle out some of "this cable goes there" but nothing beats reference photos when you aren't sure.