newbie, help!

[naton]

This is my first time building a computer, and I was given a brand new HP a1710n. Its got a AMD Athlon64 x2 4200+, runs Vista, and came equipped with a GeForce 6150 LE. I practically know nothing about building computers, and I figured I'd ask here. I'm planning on upgrading my ram and graphics card, but how do I know what card will work with my pc? If it came with a GeForce, is it basically wise to stick with GeForces (like, will any ol' GeForce work with it?). I'm under the impression that if it came with a GeForce, a Radeon is probably not compatible with it..but, basically I'm a noob who needs a few questions answered. Any suggestions on what card to get?

[Khalil]

The onboard graphics has nothing to do with what graphics card you install in it.
You need to figure out what kind of slot you got in there for graphics card.
Is it an PCI express or an AGP?
If you are going to buy a new video card I recomend you go with an ATI since your machine has an AMD processor in it. AMD owns ATI.
As far as suggestions on what Video card, you need to tell us what you plan on doing with the machine.
Also, vista is currently a problem because most drivers are not working right with it, both Nvidia and ATI are having issues with Vista.
My recommendation is to wait a few months till drivers work right for Vista before investing in a card.

[YukonMaster]

I have a model similar to that (M7560N) with the exact same specs. I have had many problems installing Ati Cards in this machine so you may want to consider just going with nVidia when the drivers are working. Another thing you must consider is before installing the graphics card check the recommended PSU wattage. They come with a medium end 300 Watt PSU and just wont do it for a lot of cards out there because if you install a card that is requiring more than the rated wattage either the PSU will go or the motherboard (and I know this from experience). For ram it will take it has PC2-4200 DDR2 SD-RAM as far as the HP techs say you need to get that exact ram for that motherboard.

Here are some links on the HP website that offer step by step instructions and video clips that you may find to be very useful
Specs (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00835807&lc=en&cc=ca&dlc=en&product=3340227&lang=en)
How to install Ram (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph03886&lc=en&cc=ca&dlc=en&product=3340227&lang=en#N1032)
How to install a PCI express Video card (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=ca&dlc=en&product=3340227&lang=en&docname=c00007413)

BTW your Graphics card will need to be either a PCI-Express or PCI

OOOH and Welcome to PCMech!

Hope that helps,

YukonMaster

[glc]

For guaranteed compatible ram, go to www.crucial.com and look it up in the configurator.

A strong video card will indeed tax the stock power supply.

[naton]

I have a model similar to that (M7560N) with the exact same specs. I have had many problems installing Ati Cards in this machine so you may want to consider just going with nVidia when the drivers are working. Another thing you must consider is before installing the graphics card check the recommended PSU wattage. They come with a medium end 300 Watt PSU and just wont do it for a lot of cards out there because if you install a card that is requiring more than the rated wattage either the PSU will go or the motherboard (and I know this from experience). For ram it will take it has PC2-4200 DDR2 SD-RAM as far as the HP techs say you need to get that exact ram for that motherboard.

Here are some links on the HP website that offer step by step instructions and video clips that you may find to be very useful
Specs (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00835807&lc=en&cc=ca&dlc=en&product=3340227&lang=en)
How to install Ram (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph03886&lc=en&cc=ca&dlc=en&product=3340227&lang=en#N1032)
How to install a PCI express Video card (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=ca&dlc=en&product=3340227&lang=en&docname=c00007413)

BTW your Graphics card will need to be either a PCI-Express or PCI

OOOH and Welcome to PCMech!

Hope that helps,

YukonMaster


Did you really look up the exact ram i needed? Thanks, I'll write that down and go shopping :P If the Card requires more wattage than the pc has, is it hard to change the power supply?

[naton]

For guaranteed compatible ram, go to www.crucial.com and look it up in the configurator.

A strong video card will indeed tax the stock power supply.

crucial.com didnt list my PC model..how do i find out the wattage my pc has right now?

[LeftyAce]

GLC may just know, but you can open the case and look at the sticker on the PSU to see how many watts it has. What I did with my Dell was I called sales (faster answer than tech support) and inquired how big the PSU was in the model dell I had.

If the case is standard ATX, it's not hard at all to replace the PSU; someone else may know if that's true for your case.

*EDIT* on the ram, did you try the Crucial System Scanner?

[naton]

GLC may just know, but you can open the case and look at the sticker on the PSU to see how many watts it has. What I did with my Dell was I called sales (faster answer than tech support) and inquired how big the PSU was in the model dell I had.

If the case is standard ATX, it's not hard at all to replace the PSU; someone else may know if that's true for your case.

*EDIT* on the ram, did you try the Crucial System Scanner?

yes, I did run the scanner..it didnt pick up on my system. I'm not sure why.

[glc]

Looks like the a1710n is too new to be in the configurators yet.

[YukonMaster]

Did you really look up the exact ram i needed? Thanks, I'll write that down and go shopping :P If the Card requires more wattage than the pc has, is it hard to change the power supply?

The PSU is fairly easy to change as you may already know your computer has a 300 watt Hipro PSU. You will want probably a 450 watt or higher PSU if you plan on getting a mid range graphics card.

I have provided some links to good sites with illustrations on how to install and uninstall your PSU.

This is a link for just installing
http://compreviews.about.com/od/tutorials/ss/DIYPSU.htm

This is a link that shows both installing and uninstalling
http://www.fonerbooks.com/r_power.htm

They both give a good amount of information and the second one has a troubleshooting page which if you run into any problems or it just doesn't work you may resort to there or just post here again and we would be glad to help.

YukonMaster