Hey all. I've got a new Dell Dimension E521 that came w/ integrated graphics. It's got a 305W power supply and I don't think (but don't quote me on this if you know better) it's got a power plug for a graphics card. I slapped a 256 MB nVidia 8500 GT in there (I've got a PCI express slot) and I'm not overly pleased with its performance in games, though I do think that Vista runs more smoothly now. As I understand it, my graphics card upgrade options are limited by my power supply. What do you think is the best graphics card that I could use in this situation? Maybe a higher end 7000 series or something else by ATI? Would an nVidia based 8600 card be significantly better? I know that this system is not a top of the line gaming machine or anything, but I want to see what my options are.
Thanks for the help folks!
2007-07-11 23:05:50 · 7 answers · asked by Mike D! 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Go with the best video card that you can afford. Your power supply should be able to handle it just fine. The big power hogs on computer systems are devices with motors in them such as fans, CD ROM drives, DVD drives, and hard drives.
Besides, even if power became an issue, you could always upgrade the power supply without too much trouble.
Good luck,
Captain Computer
2007-07-11 23:26:21 · answer #1 · answered by Captain Computer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every answer before looks like they didn't read your question. And DON'T listen to the tard above me that's telling you to put in the most powerfull card you can afford- the CPU and the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit = video card) are what uses the most power (150watts+ and high amps). Fans, drives and everything else uses almost nothing (1-10watts / low amps)
I used to have a Compaq with a 300watt PSU and was concerned about it shorting stuff out (mainly the motherboard). I ended getting a 7600GT.
You can get one now for about $70-80. This card is MUCH fast than an 8500GT. And don't worry about DX10- at this price range, the DX10 cards don't have the processing power to even utilize the DX10 advanced features.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130017
If you want to buy a new PSU ($40-50) you could jump up to the 8600GTS for $150:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130084
2007-07-11 23:32:32 · answer #2 · answered by Izzy N 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why let your power supply restrict your options? Get a 550 Watter with dual +12V rails. ALL new cards suck their juice from the +12V rail. A BIG power supply runs cooler, lasts longer and gives you plenty of elbow room for upgrades (and bells & whistles).
Some wattage figures:
8500GT = 40 watts
8600GTS = 47 watts
8800GTS (384Mb) = 103 watts
7950GT = 49 watts
7900GTX = 84 watts
X1950 Pro = 66 watts
X1900GT = 75 watts
Your 305W power supply could be running its +12V rail pretty HOT with that 8500GT.
2007-07-12 01:27:15 · answer #3 · answered by Karz 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you power supply does not support the use of any hi end type graphics cards , you need a 450w or better. a power plug for video card? < scratches head umm ok sure....
I got bored with upgrading power supplys so I installed a $350.00
Thermaltake / ToughPower / 1200-Watt / ATX / 140mm Fan / SATA Ready / SLI Ready / PFC/EPS / Power Supply
The 1200W Toughpower PSU offers four independent & dedicated 12V rails(12V1,12V2,12V3,12V4)combined output 99A, AMD/Intel Dual Core support.SO power isnt an issue for me now, but the neigborhood complains about their house and street lights going dim when I turn it on lol... oh yeah and my electric bill looks like a microsoft activation key some months too lol
2007-07-11 23:18:06 · answer #4 · answered by The Thinker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would go with a higher end nVidia 7 series video card because Direct X 10 on the 8 series will draw too much power and might cause system instability
2007-07-11 23:10:16 · answer #5 · answered by senser1080 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You don't need to hook a video card up to the power supply. It goes into the pci express slot plug in the monitor and go!
2007-07-11 23:18:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. There should be a 6 pin PCI-E socket at the end. You should definitely plug it in the RAM and processor need that power.
2016-05-20 05:58:44 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋