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[Solved] Need help updating Video card in HP Pavillion a1220n

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards [Solved] Need help updating Video card in HP Pavillion a1220n

Hello,
I have an old HP Pavillion a1220n desktop that I would like to update so my son and I can play Minecraft and possible set up as a server. I know what I have, I think I know what I need, but I don't know for sure if the video card I am looking at will work.

I am totally new to this, and have spent a lot of time in various forums trying to figure it out. Please forgive me if I leave any info out, or offer too much. I have:

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.111025-1629)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: ED904AA-ABA a1220n
BIOS: BIOS Date: 07/15/05 18:17:09 Ver: 08.00.10
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.93GHz
Memory: 2552MB RAM
Page File: 532MB used, 2612MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

AND:
Product number
ED904AA
Introduction date
22-Aug-2005
Country/region sold in
United States
Canada
Hardware
Base processor
Pentium4 516 (P) 2.93 GHz:
533 MHz front side bus
Socket 775
Chipset
Intel 915GV
Motherboard
Manufacturer: Asus
Motherboard Name: PTGD-LA
HP/Compaq motherboard name: Goldfish3-GL8E

I need a video card that is PCI, OpenGL 2.0 minimum, and directX9 or 10.

I have found this: Sparkle SFPC84GS512U2LP GeForce 8400 GS Video Card - 512MB, DDR3, PCI, 1x Dual-Link DVI, 1x HDMI, 1x VGA, DirectX 10.1, Single-Slot, Low Profile.

I also understand I need to upgrade my PSU as well. Will that Video card work, and/or do you have suggestions?
Thank you.

Reply to kohshka

Best answer

A Pentium 4 isn't all that great, but an 8400GS is pretty bad, it came out in 2007. However, you do need a PCI card since your computer doesn't have PCIe or AGP, so you are pretty limited. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814500228 is probably the best card availible. You probably don't need to upgrade the PSU, PCI cards are pretty low on power draw. The 520 has a max power draw of 30w.

Reply to VetteDude