Help needed with brothers computer

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Badcop1124

Limp Gawd
2FA
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Aug 28, 2008
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Hi all,
Unfortunately, I don't have all the info I think I will need but here the issue:

My brothers video card crapped out on him. He has a 3 year old Dell XPS 420. He's since lost his order sheet and cannot remember the card he ordered. He tells me there are no readable identifying marks on the outside other than it being nVidia. There is a sticker but the writing has worn and he cannot read it. Did a quick Google of the 420 and there seem to have been 5 options for video cards 2 ATI and 3 nVidia. The three nVidia choices were :768MB DDR3 nVidia GeForce 8800 GTX, 512 MB DDR3 nVidia GeForce 8800 GT and
256MB DDR3 nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS. I have not seen the card in question. Hoping to do so maybe tomorrow.

The power supply in his computer is 375 watts. Which card from NewEgg can I purchase for him without needing to replace anything else? Was thinking this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150317

He usually plays WoW maybe a little BF2.

Thanks in advance for the help.
 
The 9500GT looks like a solid choice and is easily more than enough to run WoW and BF2.

The manufacturer states a minimum of 350W. You should have more than enough power to run this without getting a new PSU.
 
Hold off on the purchase until after you identify the card. You may want to test the PSU with a multimeter as well, to ensure that the PSU won't go out while using the new card.

In addition to the "which card" question, how long has you brother owned the video card for?
 
tell your brother to take a picture of it and send it to you.. its quite easy to tell the difference between all 3 cards...

if the card was the 8600GTS the 9500GT will be about the same performance.. or just go with an 8800GT or 9800GT..
 
Get the service tag and look it up on http://support.dell.com

I agree with tiraides, check the PSU before adding a new card. Figure out whats wrong before attempting any fixes.
 
Thanks for the help guys.
The card turned out to be the 8800GT. The PNY 9500GT is now a deactivated item so I quickly ordered a Asus 9500GT. Figured it could go in my computer "tool kit" if it doesn't solve the problem. Been searching for the multimeter to test his PSU as some suggested.

Will post the results asap.
 
Video card arrived and was installed without incident. Computer is up and running for 3 days and his gaming just as good as before if not better.

Thanks again for all the help!
 
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