Video Card... and powersupply Dell Dimension 4550

[Haranin]

Leaning more towards a nice new shiny TV then a completely new computer... the decent used laptop my father in law tossed to me has nothing to do with that decision.

Still, my home system started life off as a Dell Dimension 4550. [yeah, bad base and I should have built my own; but I was busy during that time of my life.]

Eyeballing a few upgrades... like memory and a new monitor. Which I can figure out by myself.

What I need some help with is a new video card.

my current ATI 9700 128mb is showing its age. Like to find a card at least 256mb if not better for under $300.

A few semirandom google searchs pointed me towards the GeForce 7600GT. Somewhat confused by how there appear to be several different varients of the same card... is it just secondary manufactors adding fans or something?

Somewhat worried about the power supply. Dell lists my model as coming with 250 watts base; I have already added a second harddrive and swapped out the CD ROM drive for a DVD drive...

Is there an easy way to figure out your power supply? I popped open the box and didn't see a side panel label or anything.

[spartan_phalanx]

More than likely the power supply is next to worthless, especially if it's 250 watts. I found this...

http://www.atxcases.com/item.asp?id=...dimension_4550

I would say upgrade your power supply and go for an 8800 GTS. You can get the 320 for less than $300 or the 640 eVGA model for $320 on up from newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...me=Video+Cards

[Erik]

First check what kind of graphics slot you have:
PCI, AGP, or PCIe.

Since you have a 9700 now I'm pretty sure you don't have a PCIe slot (most likely AGP) which excludes the newest models like GF 8800

Then check this article to find the best card for your graphics slot in your price range.

I think a modern mid range card uses about as mid power as a 9700, so your power supply might just do.
But if it's really 250W (the only way to check this that I know of is by reading the sticker on the power supply housing) I'm actually surprised your PC is working with it's current components.

For a high-end graphics card you need about 450W, and for a mid-range about 300W to 350W, but I would add an extra 50W or so just to be on the safe side. (so 500W for a high-end card).

[mrmouth]

Might be awfully tough to find a power supply to fit into a Dell case properly without some case modding.


well heres a PSU designed for your dell. PC power & cooling is widely considered the best manufacturer of power supply's. The 12v rail is rated at 23A. I believe most models of the 8800 draw 24A, so you should be able to run most video cards on the market.

http://www.pcpower.com/products/view...php?show=S41D2

[King Edward I]

it may pay you to put a bit more aside and build a whole new PC or recycle some parts)