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Video Card upgrade please help

W

wetdevil

Weaksauce
Joined
Apr 6, 2004
Messages
65
I have 200$ for a vidcard but my power supply is only 250 watts. This will be for playing EQ2 on my system which is a dimension 4600 2.8ghz with a 5200FX.

I really want the 6800oc (over my price range but worth it) but can a 6800 run on my specs?

If not then I assume Im stuck between chosing a 6600pci or a 9800pro but still will power be a concern on these? Does the 6600 use less power or can I turn lower the psu consumption some how? If neither of these then what do I buy?

I really need some help I am considering the 6800 and just praying it will work but Im hoping someone will shed some light.
 
Ya dude
the 6800 will run on your specs No Problem...

i am building a shuttle machine for LAN's with a 6800
the psu is a 250 watt. and runs it fine.
your good and 6800's are 250 dollars maybe cheaper...hell look on ebay
 
ahh thanks I hope youre right I was seeing pots saying it needs 450watts to run. Also what is PCI-E, can my system install a 6600pci-e?
 
I disagree with Zeus above. I purchased a 6800 GT and it draws much much power off my rail. I actually had my ThermalTake Xaser 420W powering off when I had 2.0v going to my CPU and only 1.5v going to my AGP. The 12v rail was down to 11.75 when normally at 12.36 without the overclocking.

I suggest holding out if possible for the 6600 agp if possible. That would be the midrange card to get. Otherwise, attempt to find a 9800 pro for $175. I believe Newegg has them OEM that way.

My understanding is that the 256 MB cards will run EQ2 much better due to the imensive graphic texture the game has.

Don't buy a 256MB card though, unless it has 256-bit. The 128 bit cards are cheaper and come with more memory that usually doesn't hold up.

What are you CPU/MOBO/RAM specs?

That will give [H]'s better info on what to suggest to you....
 
dell diminsion 4600 2.8ghz 533fsb, generic mobo generic ram i assume, I coudlnt find exact specs and according to dell customer service a 250watt psu

Im ready to order a 6800 from newegg just waiting on advice whether I can run it. OH what is a PCI-E, is my system compatable?
 
wetdevil said:
dell diminsion 4600 2.8ghz 533fsb, generic mobo generic ram i assume, I coudlnt find exact specs oh according to dell customer service a 250watt psu

Im ready to order a 6800 from newegg just waiting on advice whether I can run it. OH what is a PCI-E, is my system compatable?
Click to expand...

I know you don't want to hear this, but I strongly suggest going with a new case and powersupply, too. If you can't afford it, you may regret it when your system starts shutting off randomly due to lack of power. The 6800 series draws alot of power. Unfortunately, Dell doesn't normally have normal style PSUs but some proprietary bullshit PSU that cost a ton of money to replace; hence I recommend a new case and PSU all together. The motherboard may even be incompatible with standard PSUs but this is something I am not sure about, so giving Dell a call might be in order.

If you really want to save yourself the headache of avoiding power drains, grab MBM 5 (motherboard manager 5) off the net and a program called Rthdribl. Use MBM to take note of all your voltages on idle, and then use it again to take note while running Rthdribl for 30 minutes. This will tell you (and us, if you wish to share), what potential for upgrades you have left with that PSU.

I personally believe that PSU will not hold up to the demands of a 6800. And there is nothing like overclocking a 6800 anyways, since they are so easy to; but, you won't be able to with such low power.

I hope you take my precautions seriously, but either way, you may be able to sneak away with it, but I remember nVidia recommending everyone have atleast a 400W to go with that badboy.

Best of luck.
 
Im running my x800 XT PE in my shuttle case right now, it only has 240 watts in there... I am guessing it draws more power than the 6800 oc. But who knows... if its a crappy powersupply then it might not really be 250 watts.
 
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