videocard on motherboard

[SynderX]

i was wondering if you guys can help me find an upgrade to my video card....but im not sure what type of motherboard i have..help please i ran a test and it said i have

System Slots 4 PCI
Dell Dimension 4700 1gig ram Intel Pentium 4 3.00 GHZ

[Alaron]

Welcome to PCM.

According to Dell, that system has a PCI-Express slot for a video card upgrade. http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4700/sm/specs.htm#wp1043338 Unfortunately, it has a small wattage power supply that somewhat limits your options. But this Geforce 7600GT looks like a good fit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130073

[SynderX]

do you think my computer can handle
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3041059&Sku=E145-8500&SRCCODE=YAHOODF&CMP=SPC-YAHOO

[perkster]

not without upgrading yoru power supply

[flanzig1]

Even though the 8500 is a low to mid-range video card, I would think it may be pushing that 300w PSU a bit. This is if heavy gaming is the reason for the video card.

[Alaron]

The 8500GT says it only needs a 300W unit and Dell PSUs are strong performers. I think it would work ok. I will say though that the 8500 is a step or two backward in terms of performance compared to the 7600GT I linked to earlier. You lose DX10 but it isn't really required anyway.

[SynderX]

how about this card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130025

the guy using this..on the reviews says he using a 305 watt psu and it runs good but i would appreciate your knowledge on this matter...I don't know much about comps. o and ty aloran...but which one u think is better out of the 2 i linked? this one or the above :D but to tell you the truth i only need a new card to run BF2....i run css fine but i lag in bf2 with my current...just need a little upgrade

[SynderX]

i have another question :eek: i have a dell 15" flag panel monitor...i was wondering what type of connector it has? if it helps the connector or w/e is blue.

[Alaron]

The 7300GT would work fine, it is less powerful then the 7600GT I linked to. Comparing your links, the 8500GT would be better then the 7300GT for sure. So in terms of power, the 7600GT>8500GT>7300GT. Let your pocketbook make the decision from there, but I'd say they 7600 would be the best bang for the buck. Only $15 over the 8500.

Your monitor has a VGA connection. They are typically blue. :)

You may also look into a RAM upgrade. BF2 plays very smooth with 2GB compared to 1GB.

[SynderX]

ty alot man i appreciate this.....one more thing uhm do you know a good guide to install a video card? heh

[blue60007]

Don't worry about losing DX10 - I wouldn't want to try playing a DX10 on a low end DX10 card like the 8500GT. You'd have to turn settings way down...which of course, defeats the purpose of DX10. With that said, the 7600GT is definitely the best choice...but yeah, what ever fits your budget.

I found this guide on the PCMech site:
http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/step-15-install-the-video-card/

It's a bit outdated - it doesn't even mention PCI-E cards, but the process is pretty much the same as AGP and PCI cards.

[SynderX]

ty for guide but uhm the 7600 does that have a VGA connector thing? i only see 2x whites? ..just making sure before i buy.

[blue60007]

Actually it doesn't have VGA connectors on the card - BUT, if you look at the Newegg pictures you'll see two white DVI to VGA adapter doo-dads. This'll allow you to hook a VGA monitor up to the card.

[SynderX]

i was looking around and i found
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127295
would this be an upgrade to your link and if it is do u know the power supply requirements b/c its not saying or i can't find it.

[flanzig1]

Here's the basiclly the same 7600gt card but with the VGA built-in and $10 cheaper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062

[SynderX]

that one is nice but it says 350 required watt on psu and mine is only 305...unless you think i can still use it?

[flanzig1]

Did some looking for power requirements and the 7300/7600 cards ask for a minimum of 350w. The 8500GT from a few brands say 300w but with a 12v current rating of 20A. That may still be too much card for the Dell PSU.

[Random]

upgrading the PSU isn't really that hard, unless your budget doesn't allow for it. I upgraded my power supply to a 500w from a Dell built-in for around 60 bucks. You just unplug all the power cables, unscrew the PSU, take it out, screw in the new one, and replug all your cables. I'm sure there's a tutorial with pictures that can help with it, but again, only if the budget allows. Having a larger PSU would also open up more options for GPUs.

[SynderX]

no unfortunately i only have spare for 70-100 b/c of rent and all that good stuff
but i only need a graphics card to play BF2...any options?

[Alaron]

The 7600GT cards that I linked to and that flanzig linked to require 18A on the 12V rail, which is what your Dell power supply provides. So it will be fine.

[Gen.Ben]

I would recommend the also recommend the 7600GT. The 7600GT should run fine on the Dell 305W PSU.

If you can swing it, I would also recommend another gig of memory. BF2 runs mighty fine on 2gb compared to 1gb.

[SynderX]

tyvm guys for the help 7600GT here i come >.>

[SynderX]

haha and of course they are out of stock....any knows where to get another 7600GT thats decent? nvm i just realized flanzig is in stock....so ill get
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062
:D

[SynderX]

question...do i take my old graphics card in or take it out?

[Gen.Ben]

Yes, if there is a card allready in the PCIe slot, you remove that, and plop your new one in.

If your computer just has on board video, make sure you disable that!

[SynderX]

what is an onboard video thing? and how do i check if i have that

[Alaron]

Onboard means that the video chip is integrated into the motherboard. If you have that, putting in the video card will usually turn that off and the system will use the card. Otherwise, it is a simple process of entering the BIOS and turning it off.

[SynderX]

o.
well i got another question >.> ...kinda of a noob question but the only drives i needa update is the graphics card?

from the reviews it says the cds are bugged so i gotta download the update from nvidia site ( i found that ) but i was wondering if i download it before or after i install the card?

[blue60007]

If you're not sure what you have, take a look at the back of the computer. If the monitor cable is plugged into the PCI slot area, you've got a video card. If it's plugged in up by the keyboard, USB ports and such you've got onboard. Probably the easiest way since all it takes is a quick look.

[SynderX]

mine is onboard then..

can i just install the card and then check if it found it before i disable in bios?

another question...i have a black slot idk whats that for...im just curious?

[SynderX]

haha nvm i just googled it and thats the pci-e slot haha im a noob

well can anyone answer my 1st question? instead of that one heh

[Alaron]

Yes. Most of the time, adding the card will automatically disable the onboard graphics.

[SynderX]

ty alot man...last question im gonna ask :D that i can think of

know any guides just in case it doesn't...on how to disable it? or is it short can u tell me?

[Alaron]

You can enter the Dell BIOS with F2 or Del as it boots up. Once inside look for Display/Graphics (something to that effect) and you can toggle onboard video on and off.

[SynderX]

ty man ...much help :D

[kamikazi_tom]

I don't know if I'm too late here and you already bought a card but I have played BF2 and have noticed that it is VERY CPU intensive. A new video card may help but possibly a CPU upgrade or another gig of ram could help too. BF2 is a rather demanding game in the way of components.

Tom =]