Dell Optiplex 360 Video Upgrade

boatasiaus

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 23, 2006
Messages
183
As the title states, I've got a Dell Optiplex 360, w/ stock 250W PSU that needs a new video card... Don't want to upgrade the PSU at this time. Need to use it for light gaming...

Dell will "pre-configure" a ATI HD3450 or 9300GE

Is there anything "beefier" that I can throw in without any PSU issues? Will the ATI 3650 or 4650 work? nVidia 8800GT or 9500GT?
 
Radeon 4670 is the highest I would go power-usage wise. I wouldn't stick anything that needs external power in there (8800GT and 3650 do.) Maybe a 4770, but this is a Dell desktop power supply we're talking about so I wouldn't risk it.
 
Thanks for the reply. Didn't know the 3650 & 8800 required add'l power connector (Newegg's picture views are down)

Looking at this Power Chart, the 3450 (an option via Dell) draws a max of 22 watts. The 3650 draws 42 maxed out, and the 4670 draws 47 watts (64 on max 3D).

Maybe the 4650 at 39 watts is my best bet?
 
I'm surprised that chart has the 4670's peak so much higher than the 4650. The 3650s I was looking at were AGP. The PCI-E 3650 doesn't require additional power. The 8800GT definitely does.

Anyway, XFX also makes a 4650 but doesn't make a 4670, so that's another plus for going with 4650 over 4670 if you want good warranty and support. Either will be better than a 3650.
 
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