Need video card advice

D

darkhunter139

Supreme [H]ardness
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Mar 7, 2008
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Ok well my friend got a Dell PC wtih a quad core, 3 gigs of ram, and vista 32

Its runs great except the video card is a little lacking. Its a inspiron 530 that he just got so im guessing it has PCI-E?

He wants to be able to play some games (not crysis on high or anything just be able to run some of the newer games)

Any video card suggestions for under 100?

I was thinking maybe this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121097

Not sure how great his PSU is so....
 
I would save your money for a Nvidia 9600gt or better yet an ATi 4850. The 8600gt is fairly weak for games. Finding out the power supply power rails is critical for a videocard upgrade. I would find out what the power supply offers because an underpowered power supply is just asking for trouble.
 
8800gt definitely. I'm sure you could fine one for around $100 after rebate perahps...or used on craigslist. An extra $50 for a 4850 sure goes a long way though.
 
If you have a Circuit City location near you, you maybe in luck to find a PNY 9600GT video card for $99. That XFX 9600GT is not bad choice actually. On the PS, definitely upgrade that if you put in a 9600GT card. It's probably using some weak 300 Watt FSP Group PS. I had this PS in my Acer Quad core pc. Pretty pathetic actually with soo little power connectors. I would say get at least a 9600GT card.
 
An underpowered power supply can cause crashes or system instability. Most times brand name PCs will not supply a good PS because most of them you buy dont come with a good decent graphics card. So, the crappy PS is just enough to run that current setup. It maybe ok to add another DVD drive or HDD but, a better video card will draw more power and therefore requires a better PS.

BTW, you dont need no expensive $100+ PS upgrade. Just get this Antec Earthwatts 380 Watt for $40. It is sufficient to power a 9600GT video card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371005
 
If he tried it out first could that be dangerous to his PC? If so then yeah it would be dumb not to get a PSU as well
 
It may not be dangerous right away. But, don't go by the assumption that when it works the first time it should be ok. In time, you will experience crashes/instability issues. Or, you may not see anything displayed period. Definitely not work risking it just to save a few bucks on a better PS. I did the same thing before and speaking out of my own experience, I blew 2 mobo because I used the same PS twice. $200+ for those 2 mobos wasted.
 
The power supply on Inspiron 530's don't have ANY spare molex or PCIe power connectors, so unless you do some sort of crazy adapter chain to convert the single available SATA power connector into PCIe (which will probably cause problems anyway), you'd pretty much have to buy a new power supply.
 
no it's not. It's basically just pugging in everything to their correct spots

When I got my first PSU upgrade, I just googled "putting in a power supply" and the pictures basically explain everything.
 
Yeah, basically 4 screws to mount the power supply in the back of the case. The main 20/24 pin power connector that plugs into the motherboard, the flat black SATA power connectors to the HDD and DVD drive. You may also see a 4pin power connector that plugs into the mobo also. Follow how the current setup is connected and do the same with the new PS. You can also take a picture of it first with a digital camera and follow the pictures. Also, remember to plug in the 6 pin PCI-E connector to the video card that you install. Double check your connections also and make sure you got everything well seated.
 
Dell generally uses proprietary components so dont expect a standard atx power supply will work. They intentionally build them with none standard parts to keep you from upgrading them.
 
Hey, is this Quad core Dell system the slim-chassis casing or the regular one? Regular tower one meaning the bigger wider one? If it's the bigger one, then you may be in luck as that one may come with a Lite On 375 Watt PS with 30A on the +12V. Look at the specs of that PS.
 
HardwareGuru said:
Hey, is this Quad core Dell system the slim-chassis casing or the regular one? Regular tower one meaning the bigger wider one? If it's the bigger one, then you may be in luck as that one may come with a Lite On 375 Watt PS with 30A on the +12V. Look at the specs of that PS.
Click to expand...

Its the big one yeah

And he doesnt want a gaming system just wants to be able to run tf2 and hl2 smoothly

Ur telling me he needs a whole new pc just to upgrade the video card?
 
No, what I am saying is that his Quad Core Q6600 Dell Insprion 530 may come with a Lite On 375 Watt PS in that computer. So, go check out what PS is in his PC. Also, see if the +12V puts out 30A(amps). The side label on the power supply will state how many amps on the +12. If it does, then that power supply should be fine for a 9600GT video card.
 
Ok the PSU is a lite on ps-6351-2

He said it has one extra plug but when I asked him what kind he said "the standard plug" so I have no idea what that means.
 
darkhunter139 said:
Ok the PSU is a lite on ps-6351-2

He said it has one extra plug but when I asked him what kind he said "the standard plug" so I have no idea what that means.
Click to expand...

Ask him if the plug looks like this:
http://www.techaddicts.net/reviews/trio650w/trio659.jpg

If there isn't one of those in his PC, then yes he will need to get a new PSU. IIRC, Dell PSUs do not have molex connectors anymore. So an adaptor is out of the question.
 
I would go with 9600GT , and for this price range is pretty cool. Or look for an 8800GT in sale forum.
 
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