Help with finding a video card

Y

ywang

New Member
Hi, i currently have a Dell Dimension c521 (specs here: http://www.dealtime.com/xPF-Dell-De...p-Computer-Athlon-64-3200-2-00GHz-160GB-512MB). I would like to replace the stock graphics card, a NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE, with a Radeon HD 4870 1 GB

(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...C-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Video+Cards-_-XFX-_-14150394)

I believe they both use a PCI express interface, but is that enough to tell if they are compatible? Additionally, does the Radeon HD4870 require a power supply of its own?
 
GeForce 6150 LE is an onboard graphics card not a dedicated so it doesn't use a slot and you will need a new power supply because dell is cheap

a 4870 seems like over kill for your computer
 
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Thanks Gooberman- i made some other upgrades prior to adding the card. I also plan to reuse the graphics card on another computer later on. Additionally, could you list a few power supplies that i could use to replace my stock one- one that is compatible with the c521's slim case and can power the said graphics card. All, of course, at a reasonable price. Thanks again
 
This PSU will power a 4870 for cheap-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339024


Although, I seriously doubt your motherboard has a PCI express X16 *2.0* slot. If it even has a X16 slot, it will likely be a 1.0 slot. The 4870 will still work on it, but will not be full speed at all. Probably still 100 times better than your onboard graphics though.

I see in the specs page it just says athlon 64 processor....but which one? Is it a dual core? You need atleast a dual core for gaming.

Next step then is to upgrade your RAM. You only have 512mb now, and ddr2 ram is very cheap. Here's a 2gb set for $24-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339024
 
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The C521 is a slim line case which means a full sized video card will not fit and neither will a full sized power supply. Your best option would be to buy a new case or you will have to get a very low performance low profile card that will fit and really it wouldn't be any better then your onboard graphics. I'm surprised these other guy have not said any thing about this. If you do won't to switch case.

Get this case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156202

This power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

and This Graphics Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824

Do that and your good to go otherwise you will be limited to a card like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187082 because your power supply will not power any thing more and there are only a few cards that will fit into your case.
 
Right, it only has a 280W Power Supply and there is no way a regular ATX power supply will fit it that case. Well maybe with a saw and hammer.

This is its power supply
MH596.jpg
 
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Ah, I didn't catch that the case was a slimline.

Fatback I like the case you posted, BUT it doesn't support micro ATX boards. You need a case that can do both micro and full atx boards, it's more futureproff for upgrading.
He'd also be better off with the 4870. A 4850 is half the performance of a 4870 1gb. And then your 400w PSU you listed won't be enough for a 4870.
 
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Ywang, It's probably not what you want to hear but you'd be way better off just building a whole new system. Here's my recommendations-

case-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233039

motherboard-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157153

CPU-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688

Ram-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820159015

power supply-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339024

That adds up to about $250. Add your 4870 in there, and you're talking $400 total for a setup that will be lightyears faster than what your have.
 
87dtna said:
Ah, I didn't catch that the case was a slimline.

Fatback I like the case you posted, BUT it doesn't support micro ATX boards. .
Click to expand...

I thought Dell and the other big box retail brands used their own sizes for board. BTX?? My understanding was that you will need to modify any case in order to install a DELL MOBO into.
 
Jamin43 said:
I thought Dell and the other big box retail brands used their own sizes for board. BTX?? My understanding was that you will need to modify any case in order to install a DELL MOBO into.
Click to expand...

I've put a dell mobo into an emachine case before...but that was with older stuff from the 90's....like pentium 3 stuff.
 
87dtna said:
Ah, I didn't catch that the case was a slimline.

Fatback I like the case you posted, BUT it doesn't support micro ATX boards. You need a case that can do both micro and full atx boards, it's more futureproff for upgrading.
He'd also be better off with the 4870. A 4850 is half the performance of a 4870 1gb. And then your 400w PSU you listed won't be enough for a 4870.
Click to expand...

Well the reason I selected those things is because I wasn't sure of his budget so I just picked some cheap quality stuff. That case will work with M-ATX and ATX boards I have used it before. The 4850 is a plenty powerful enough card for gaming I have maxed out almost ever game I have played and still got 30+FPS.

87dtna said:
Ywang, It's probably not what you want to hear but you'd be way better off just building a whole new system. Here's my recommendations-

case-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233039

motherboard-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157153

CPU-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688

Ram-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820159015

power supply-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339024

That adds up to about $250. Add your 4870 in there, and you're talking $400 total for a setup that will be lightyears faster than what your have.
Click to expand...

That Asrock motherboard is crap I have ordered 3 and every one came DOA. I can't believe you would even suggest that PSU as hec makes one of the worst PSU right up there with Rosewill. The RAM you picked is no good either last time I ordered it for I build I did a memory test and it found a bunch of errors so I RMA it and got the Kingston for $1 more. We can not give him accurate build or parts to we know his budget.
 
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Fatback said:
That Asrock motherboard is crap I have ordered 3 and every one came DOA. I can't believe you would even suggest that PSU as hec makes one of the worst PSU right up there with Rosewill. The RAM you picked is no good either last time I ordered it for I build I did a memory test and it found a bunch of errors so I RMA it and got the Kingston for $1 more. We can not give him accurate build or parts to we know his budget.
Click to expand...

In the guys defence, it is a $250 system, you aren't going to be expecting corsair memory and power supplies :P

Without a PSU upgrade, don't even think about getting a video card unless you plan on buying a new system because your old one blew up
 
Fatback said:
That Asrock motherboard is crap I have ordered 3 and every one came DOA. I can't believe you would even suggest that PSU as hec makes one of the worst PSU right up there with Rosewill. The RAM you picked is no good either last time I ordered it for I build I did a memory test and it found a bunch of errors so I RMA it and got the Kingston for $1 more. We can not give him accurate build or parts to we know his budget.
Click to expand...


LOL, well asrock must just not like you. 77% of people gave it 5 out of 5 eggs rating.
That HEC PSU is the one I am running right now with a power hungry 3.8ghz quad core and a gts250 OC'd to the MAX. This PSU has never blinked, I used to have a 500w antec PSU (which now powers my intel rig), with the CPU only a dual core I would get thermal shutdown after 20-30 minutes of gaming....this CPU as a quad uses atleast 50 more watts at load, atleast. No issues.

Again I just fine it funny that the ram has a 5 out of 5 rating. Everybody always sends you the bad stuff huh?
It was $23.99, newegg just upped the price to $26.99 today. For that price, might as well buy mushkin-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146599
 
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Aastii said:
In the guys defence, it is a $250 system, you aren't going to be expecting corsair memory and power supplies :P

Without a PSU upgrade, don't even think about getting a video card unless you plan on buying a new system because your old one blew up
Click to expand...

There are quality PSU that are just as cheap and 3 time the quality for example http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016 only $5 with free shipping. This G-Skill RAM is only $4 with free shipping more http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098. He could get this combo deal http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.240745 or he could just get this http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.235851. So yes there are better quality parts for the same price.
 
Yup thats all good stuff you listed there. When I bought the HEC 650w it was $45 with free shipping. As far as quality, I believe my rig has put it to the test. I've popped a 400w PSU like candy and a cheap 650w PSU threw a giant spark out...and like I said the antec 500w would hit thermal shutdown after 20-30 minutes. Now the only question is longevity. It's made it a couple weeks so far with no issues. As far as I'm concerned it's just as good quality wise as the antec. Seems very efficient too. Anything thats 80+ certified isn't cheap junk.
 
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Thank you everyone for your help, and sorry for the noobish questions. I think i will end up buying a slimline graphics card and adding RAM. Could anyone recommend a low-profile graphics card that i could use without upgrading my power supply? i was looking at this card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102829
but i am not sure if its power consumption is too great for my computer.

Thanks again
 
4650's have a TDP of 55 watts. That seems like a decent card for $55 for a slimline, apparently you need good cooling in your case though!
 
ywang said:
Thank you everyone for your help, and sorry for the noobish questions. I think i will end up buying a slimline graphics card and adding RAM. Could anyone recommend a low-profile graphics card that i could use without upgrading my power supply? i was looking at this card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102829
but i am not sure if its power consumption is too great for my computer.

Thanks again
Click to expand...


I don't think it would be a good Idea to get any GPU with that PSU to tell you the truth but you might get by with that card. Your probably going to be pushing that PSU to the limits but it might hold up until you get another computer or at least another case and PSU.
 
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