Advise on a new graphics card?

[Sky999]

My current graphics card is a ATI Radeon HD 3870.

I am looking to buy a new graphics card for SH5.

I am willing to spend up to £150 - 200 on a new one.

Can anyone advise me on what graphics card would be the best for SH5, would be superior than my current card and is in my price range? Is it just a matter of replacing the graphics card and then my PC will be top notch?

I will most likely hold back to nearer the release date in case a new, better card is released.

My specs are below.

Manufacturer - Dell
Model - XPS XPS_420
Rating: 5.9
Proccessor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2Quad CPU Q8200 @ 2.33GHz 2.33GHz
Memory (RAM) -4.00 GB
System type: 32-bit operating system
ATI Radeon HD 3870

PS: If there is anything else I can buy or upgrade to that will really increase my performance, let me know. I've heard people say upgrading from Vista to Windows 7 isn't really worth it.

- Sky999

[Arclight]

With that price range, you can get a very decent card. :yep:

But to start of: can you check how powerfull the power supply is? Graphics cards are very demanding. A wattage will give a general idea, if possible a brand and model-number would be appreciated.

It'll require you to remove the sidepanel though to get a look at the thing.



I tried getting info on the model you listed: XPS 420, but everything I read states a different config than what you have. How did you determine what's in the case?

And yes, if the power supply is up to it, than a quad-core with 4GB and a decent card will go a long way.

[FIREWALL]

I think CPU-Z freeware d\l will give you the answer.

[Task Force]

Hmm... dell... well... what size case...

[Sky999]

I'm trying to find out the wattage on the power supply, but I'm not sure how, I am looking inside the desktop but I can't see anything with power supply on.

You're going to have to forgive me on this, I really know very little on computers.

[Task Force]

hmm... well... what brand is your powersupply if you know?

[Sky999]

hmm... well... what brand is your powersupply if you know?


Ok I think I've found it, It says DC output: 375 W.

[Task Force]

WOW... really low... defieantly need a new one...:yep:

[AVGWarhawk]

I'm trying to find out the wattage on the power supply, but I'm not sure how, I am looking inside the desktop but I can't see anything with power supply on.

You're going to have to forgive me on this, I really know very little on computers.
http://www.openicon.com/tech/power_supply/power04.jpg

See in this picture the square metal box with the green sticker. Upper lefthand corner. This is the power supply. Should have name and wattage on the sticker.

[Sky999]

WOW... really low... defieantly need a new one...:yep:

Ok so that's a new power supply, which I assume I just buy from a PC shop, turn off the computer, take out the old one and put in the new one?

What power supply would be good?

[Arclight]

Ehrm, you might get away with plugging a 8800GT into that, but I would really recommend a 500W or above.

I have a 520W, running a 8800GTS512 (one notch above GT), Quad-core @ 2.8GHz, 4GB RAM, 4 HDs, 1 optical drive and a X-fi soundcard. It's sufficient, though it begins to struggle as soon as I overclock the CPU (actually starts putting out hot air at that point); I would say a 500W is your minimum for a decent gaming rig.

A good 600-650W supply should run you about 80-90 quid, depending on brand (avoid the cheap ones).

Putting it in is a matter of loosening 4 screws at the back, disconnecting all the cables, put in the new one and connect everything back up.



Something to keep in mind is that modern boards have a 24-pin connector on the board, where older ones have only 20. A lot of modern supplies have a 20+4 pin connector, meaning they can connect to either a 20 or 24-pin board.
http://i1.tinypic.com/ncxcf5.jpg
Just check what connector is on the board and make sure the supply has a suitable connector.

[HanSolo78]

@Arclight

The 8800gt is not really a lot faster than a hd3870. the diffference is only about 15%!
I do recommend Ati hd 4870/4890 1Gb or Nvidia gtx260/275.
They are about 70% to 100% faster than a hd3870.

But you probaby need a new power supply like the other said.
About 500W and 30A on the 12V rail.

Also I recommend to overclock your CPU or get a new one with about 3GHz.

[Arclight]

I would recommend the 4770 as a minimum over the 8800/9800GT, but I'm no fan of ATI cards. Just using it as a reference up there anyway. ;)

GTX 260 or 275 would get my vote at this point in time as well. (though I'm no big fan of the 200 series either) :yep:

[JSLTIGER]

I'd advise something in the 5800 series from ATI, but I'm not sure how much they run "across the pond" as it were. I definitely concur that you need a new PSU...what you have is not nearly enough, and to be honest, I'm kinda surprised it hasn't already died on you from overtaxation.

The 5800 series is the first range of DX11 cards out, and they do a fairly nice job of blowing away most of the nvidia lineup at the moment.

[Arclight]

Aye, but I can't help but wonder about the support at the moment. ATI often has a bit of a "slow start", as it were. :hmmm:

But a HD 57xx would be a nice card to have, probably a decent match with the rest of the specs (I guess the CPU could use a boost supporting the 58xx :hmmm:). :yep:

[Task Force]

but remember, He dosent want to spend alot of money.

[mookiemookie]

I ran into this problem years ago when I had a Dell and was trying to upgrade my power supply. Dell's power supplies are made specifically for Dells so you may not be able to buy something aftermarket that just plugs right in. Sorry I can't be more specific, but look around on that.

[AVGWarhawk]

I ran into this problem years ago when I had a Dell and was trying to upgrade my power supply. Dell's power supplies are made specifically for Dells so you may not be able to buy something aftermarket that just plugs right in. Sorry I can't be more specific, but look around on that.

Now that Mookie mentioned this, he is correct. The PSU is a different size then the other PSU for other manufacturers. So, gut the Dell into another midtower with new supply! :rock:

[SteamWake]

I ran into this problem years ago when I had a Dell and was trying to upgrade my power supply. Dell's power supplies are made specifically for Dells so you may not be able to buy something aftermarket that just plugs right in. Sorry I can't be more specific, but look around on that.

LOL so the pin outs on a Dell PSU dont comply to industry standards?

Thats freakin hilarious. :haha:

[goldorak]

LOL so the pin outs on a Dell PSU dont comply to industry standards?

Thats freakin hilarious. :haha:

Well no its not funny.
You buy a pc thats supposed to have standard parts and find afterwards that that's not the case. And you're definitely screwed if you want to upgrade or the power supply dies after the warranty.
That's why I always advocate that people learn how to build pc's, its not more difficult than building a meccano. Its not rocket science, and in the long run they're just a better value proposition. :yeah:

[haz]

typical dell thing,I wasnt sure if I could built my own ,much better and even cheaper.they always put in a small ps on them. its very hard to find a unit that fits and works right (new one) for a dell.

[Sky999]

I'm going to have to take the info you guys have given me and think long and hard over it.

The Graphics card is the easy part, but now I'm hearing my PSU can't be changed because it's a Dell (PC world staff told me it was good) as well as me needing a new CPU, which I'm not even 100% sure what that is.

Thanks for all your information guys, I really appreciate it and I hope that I can buy these things and actually get them working in time for SH5.

[FIREWALL]

Now that Mookie mentioned this, he is correct. The PSU is a different size then the other PSU for other manufacturers. So, gut the Dell into another midtower with new supply! :rock:


I say get out the hammer and saw and remodel. :haha: