Adding Graphics card to Dell Dimension 4700

[jwilson56]

I would like to add a graphics card to my new Dell Dimension 4700. Which ones have some of you guys added without problems. I am looking at the 6600 or 6600GT (or something in the same price range) but have read of some problems with them in a 4700. Does anyone have any new information that would help me choose a good grahics card?

Thanks for any help

John

 

[bluemax]

I've been looking into this too... I have a few leads.

One, Leadtek seems to have very good luck in the 4700.

Two, heat is a MAJOR issue! The 6800's generate LESS heat than the 6600GT, which is one big reason why so many 6600GT's and Radeon x700's are having big troubles.

Three, go for good venting! There's some two-slot cards that vent all that hot air out of the case - that would be an excellent choice. Another option is to get the $20-25 3rd-party cooler that does the same thing- mount onto the side of the graphics card and vent the hot air out. Apparently the 4700 just doesn't have good airflow....

Four, there may be some tricks to loading the drivers. I'll try to grab them off the Dell support site for you... shouldn't be a major issue though.

A nice fella' recommended a Radeon X800 with that 3rd-party fan/vent. Came to $300 in total.... not bad for a super-high-end solution! On the budget side... there's lots of $99 Radeon X600's to be had, and if you have trouble keeping it cool, you can add the $20 vent to it. I think for a hundred bucks, the X600 is tough to beat.

But I'm not the expert here... I'm still looking... but we're in the same boat and I'm just posting what I've found so far.


And man, did I ever get my 4700 for a STEAL of a deal!! DVD-burner, 160gig, 17"LCD and the whole thing was only about $500US with free shipping!

 

[happy medium]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=27&threadid=1475694
This should answer your question. scroll down to 4700 It will run a 6800GT.


check my post

 

[RajunCajun]

I've addressed this topic in a previous thread, but I'll repeat it here!

I've been running a 6600GT in my 4700 since January, and I also have a Leadtek brand card. First card I was sent was RMA's - started rebooting my PC when running in 3D, then video corrpution in EVERYTHING 3D (including screensavers!!!). But my second card has never missed a beat and runs things GREAT!!!!!!!

BUT BEWARE! You must have the A5 bios to avoid problems - mine was built in mid December and came with it already installed, so you should be OK if bought new recently (not refurbed).

With that out of the way, all you have to do is configure your BIOS to automatic in video section; that way if no card is installed in the PCIe slot the GMA900 will load (which as a side bar is a very good backup). If a card is found then the graphics card loads and Windows ask for the driver, blah blah blah. You should know the routine.

But the above post is correct - I HIGHLY recommend some extra cooling. I use a Vantec Spectrum Dual Fan Card Linky from NewEgg that has variable speed adjustable from the back plate via a sliding switch. I usually keep it at medium and my GPU temps are fine. The 4700 does NOT have good air flow, and adding something to just circulate the air seems to help. The fan card is mounted about 1/2 inch from the 6600GT and blows right on top of it. Mine has run trouble free since installation and performs great!

Hope this helps
Dennis

 

[bluemax]

That slot cooler is a decent idea. I think the shroud that replaces the video card retail fan and vents out of the case directly is a better idea. Gets rid of the heat generated by the video card right off the hop, and provides better cooling than stock with almost no noise. The only drawback it it turns a video card into a two-slot design, eating the expansion slot beside it. In the case of the 4700, that's one of your two PCI slots gone.

 

[penceman]

At least you don't have an SC420. There are little dividers in the PCI-E slot that make it so you can't put a video card in. But I'll be taking care of that today by cutting them out and installing my X600XT.

 

[mwmorph]

why do people still buy dell if they make stuff so inconvient?

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: mwmorph
why do people still buy dell if they make stuff so inconvient?

Because computers are hard to keep cool and most previous models haven't had these troubles. They did a design change but didn't really factor in the tremendous heat of the Prescott. Video card woes? This is new......

Why do I still want to keep the PC instead of cancelling my order? Because it was an absolute STEAL! I couldn't have bought PARTS for the price of the package I got, let alone legal software and 3 months of high-speed free internet. DIRT CHEAP! And free shipping.

Would I have bought one for regular price? 4600 maybe. 4700? No.

 

[bluemax]

Wow.... it's looking pretty scary about Dell 4700's and video cards.

I'd say the 4700 is one of Dell's biggest flops ever.

There is hope, though.... some cards DO work... we just need to find out which.

The keys seem to be:

THE CARD MUST HAVE:
1) Low power consumption (as the PCIe slot does not get the full amount required by PCIe spec.)
2) EXCELLENT cooling! The 4700 is a HOT machine, and as much heat as possible must be vented/eliminated.

...and must not be a Radeon x700 which appears to be incompatible at a BIOS level!

 

[jwilson56]

I would really prefer to hear from people who actually own a 4700. Its well known that Dell underrates their power supplies so thats not as big of an issue as it might seem. I am looking for people that actually have had good results with their choice of card. I did get an email stating that the MSI Geforce 6600 PCI-E card works well. Its not a GT but I think it will be good enough for me these days.

I am thinking of getting the MSI nVIDIA GeForce 6600 Video Card, 128MB DDR3, 128-Bit, DVI/VIVO, PCI-Express, Model NX6600-VTD128E.

Has anyone seen good benchmarks (Doom3, HL2, ect) against cards like the ATI 9600Pro ect?

Thanks

John

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: jwilson56
I would really prefer to hear from people who actually own a 4700. Its well known that Dell underrates their power supplies so thats not as big of an issue as it might seem.

It's not about the power supply - it's about power coming directly through the PCIe graphics port.

And 6600's have been getting excellent results. Most 6600 NON-GT's are working fine.
6600GT's are about 50-50. Good cooling is probably the key here.
There have been no reports of the x600.
x700 does not work at all.
x800 seems to be good results.
6800 seems to have good results provided it's kept cool.

... Acquired by browsing through Dell's user support forums. My 4700 is on its way, so I definately have a vested interest in it. Should have maybe just snagged the stock 6800 they have as an upgrade option.... it wasn't too unreasonably priced for a 6800 card.


I wish Dell would get on the ball and let us know what's up.

 

[bluemax]

Update... it appears some people are getting x700's to work, but have the overheating issues discussed earlier. Be sure to cool and vent properly.

X700 = 50-50 chance.

 

[grimlykindo]

I HAVE A 4700 WITH A X800 XL, WORKS PERFECT!!!!!!!!

but just so you know my case is totally modedd:

3 extra case fans(intake/intake/exhausta)

 

[Praytus]

I forget where I was reading it, but I believe under load the X800 XL pulls less wattage then the 6600GT cards.

 

[Praytus]

Oh, and if you require an X700, I suggest you check out the Sapphire Toxic version. The blower really helps keep the 4700s cool.
All in all, I'd say ebay it and pick up an 8400 from Dell's outlet store for the same price

 

[grimlykindo]

Originally posted by: Praytus
I forget where I was reading it, but I believe under load the X800 XL pulls less wattage then the 6600GT cards.

Yeah I actually used to have a Leadtek 6600gt extreme and it sucked compared to my x800 XL. It idled at 58c!!, my X800 xl idles at 39c!!! ALso, my 6600gt was constantly making artifacts across the screen (due to temp problems) The 6600gt fried out after a month of FARCRY AND RIDDICK! (FULL RMA REFUND) The 4700s have no air flow at all. Thats why I moddified my case now it has a front intake, side intake, rear exhaust and my stock case fan is mounted on my CPU heatsink. WORKS AWESOME

 

[RajunCajun]

LOOK AT MY PREVIOUS POST! My 2nd Leadtek 6600GT (not extreme) has worked flawlessly since installation. That PCI fan works great; idle temps in the mid 30s, after running games (HL2, FarCry, Doom3, etc) temps are in the low 60s. But honestly these were the same temps that my 1st Leadtek showed - that card was just plain defective.

I also read all the problems getting PCIe cards to work in 4700s prior to my purchase in December. But just about all the problems were resolved with BIOS Revision A5 (which came on mine directly from Dell). There are still some problems (from what I've read) getting ATI 700 to work.

The PSU is rated at 305W - from Dell this is plenty good. There is a lack of ventilation through the case though, which is why I installed the fan. I'm going to take it out soon and try it - I think it'll be OK, but just a guess right now. I had a 4500 previous to this, and the case in that one was very good (same case that's used on the 8400). Wish I would have waited awhile to get the 8400 with free 17" LCD at $699, but I'm happy with my 4700.

In reply to above post about why buy Dell, like the response said. At the time I COULD NOT BUILD another comparable system for anywhere near the price. Plus add in the support and warranty (my 4700 came with 2 years free!) and it makes it very a very compelling argument. True, I could have built another PC with higher end components and have better gaming performance, but I've been very happy with both my Dell desktops and my 8200 Inspiron lappy. See above for some of the games I play. Later I'll add another 512mb DDR2 ram and install my Audigy 2.

Dennis

 

[bluemax]

LOL! While sorting through a box of my old junk parts, I found a slot fan left over from my P2 days! That could keep things going cooler when I snag a video card, until I can get a proper venting shroud for it. IIRC, the fan on this old slot cooler was LOUD! But it'll serve its purpose as a stopgap.

Gotta' get a PCIe video card too.

 

[bluemax]

No new info?