Paxxis
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Thursday, January 02, 2014 5:24 PM
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Good morning, and Happy New Year, everyone! I am looking to upgrade my video card, and need some answers. I am running a HP Compaq 7900 computer, all of which is stock. 350W power supply, 2 GB RAM, and Windows 7. I am trying to upgrade from a GeForce 7800. My brother sent me a 470 GTX card, but it is too big for my computer (wish I had checked that before going out and buying a new power supply!). Looking at the specs, and the pics, it looks like the GT630 would fit into my system. My questions, however are as follows. Does it require a power supply to the card? Would it be compatible with my system? Is this a low profile card, or at the very least, would it fit into a standard slot? The 470 was too wide and too long, which is why I am asking. I am looking at playing Crysis 2, EQ2, and maybe Elder Scrolls Online when it comes out, and curious as to how well this card would handle those games.
Thanks in advance!
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bdary
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Re: GeForce GT 630 Compatibility question
Thursday, January 02, 2014 5:56 PM
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Hi and Welcome to the forums...  Here is a link to a GT630 spec sheet. >> http://www.evga.com/products/pdf/02G-P3-2639.pdf This is a single slot card. There is another GT630 model which is dual slot. Based on what you said in the OP, I'm thinking a dual slot card won't work for you. Keep in mind that this card is more of an entry level card. It will be faster and have more Vram than your 7800, but will struggle to play the games you mentioned on higher settings. I'm thinking you'll be able to play fine on low to maybe medium graphics settings. Looking at the pics, it doesn't appear to need any additional power from the PSU, only the pci-e lane itself. It does require a min of a 350W PSU with a min of 20A on the +12V rail however.
post edited by bdary - Thursday, January 02, 2014 6:01 PM
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Paxxis
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Re: GeForce GT 630 Compatibility question
Thursday, January 02, 2014 6:01 PM
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Thank you, bdary! Yeah, I need a single slot card, for sure. As for it being entry level, I am ok with that. It will likely be leaps and bounds ahead of the card I am using now, so if it means running games at low to moderate settings, I am ok with that. As it is, I can't even run Crysis 2 now, and EQ2 and the ESO Beta have both been at low settings. I figure if I can play these games, even at modest settings, without the lag, or the card trying to die, then I am doing better than what I am working with now. Again, many thanks!
Out of curiosity, do I need to upgrade the system RAM, or should I be ok for now at 2GB? Just curious. Again, thank you!
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bdary
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Re: GeForce GT 630 Compatibility question
Thursday, January 02, 2014 6:18 PM
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NP. Happy to help.
You may run into a problem with Crysis2 with only 2GB system ram. If money is tight, you could try it out 1st and upgrade if you see the need to.
Look over the spec sheet I linked to you and just verify that your system meets the min requirements. Like your OS. XP or above I think it was, etc...maybe even take a measurement in your case to make sure the length is ok unless you already know.
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Paxxis
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Re: GeForce GT 630 Compatibility question
Thursday, January 02, 2014 6:32 PM
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Sounds good. Money being tight is an understatement, but I will cross that bridge when I get to it. Hopefully I will be able to run Crysis 2 with lower settings, just to be able to check it out. I want to reinstall Skyrim, as I had it running before, at minimum settings. As for the specs sheet, everything looks good so far. Not 100% sure on the dimensions, but I suspect I should be alright.
Again, thanks!
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bdary
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Re: GeForce GT 630 Compatibility question
Thursday, January 02, 2014 6:37 PM
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You're welcome. And since the card is only 5.7" long, it's shorter than your mobo I would assume, so should fit just fine... 
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Paxxis
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Re: GeForce GT 630 Compatibility question
Thursday, January 02, 2014 6:42 PM
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That is what I am thinking as well. Well, I am going going to go ahead and order it, and when it gets here, we will see! *crosses fingers*
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bdary
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Re: GeForce GT 630 Compatibility question
Thursday, January 02, 2014 6:44 PM
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Keep us posted then after you try out your games. Have fun & happy gaming... 
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Paxxis
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Re: GeForce GT 630 Compatibility question
Thursday, January 02, 2014 6:48 PM
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Will do! I am hoping to have the card here within a week or so, and once everything is up and running again, and I have been able to test drive some of this, I will definitely be back to let you know how it all turned out! Thanks again!
Game on!
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