Decision about new motherboard vs. new video card

[eversa]

I have a new dell with an integrated Intel 'graphics' adapter. Unfortunately dell does not provide an AGP or PCI-Express slot on the motherboard of this computer. I would like your opinion on three different solutions to this lack of suitable graphics:

1) Buy a PCI video card. I think the choice here is between the Geforce 5200 or 5500.

2) Buy a new AGP card for my older AMD XP 1800/nForce2 system and forget about the dell for now.

3) Buy a new motherboard for the dell and a new video card.
This would probably be the best solution, but unfortunatly also the most expensive.

The Dell's CPU is a 2.8 GHz P4 DT.

What would you do to maximize performance per dollar?

 

[L00PY]

Though it depends on what you plan on doing with the "suitable graphics", I really don't see a good path for you. Dell uses a proprietary mobo layout so getting a replacement for your Intel box will be difficult. AGP's turning into somewhat of a dead end and even with a new AGP card, the older CPU and platform will likely become a bottleneck on the AMD box. PCI is probably the worst option, but perhaps the "best" in your case.

The best option is to start a new box, but that's even more expensive.

How much are you looking to spend and how long do you plan for this upgrade to last?

 

[Wellsoul2]

Originally posted by: eversa
I have a new dell with an integrated Intel 'graphics' adapter. Unfortunately dell does not provide an AGP or PCI-Express slot on the motherboard of this computer. I would like your opinion on three different solutions to this lack of suitable graphics:

1) Buy a PCI video card. I think the choice here is between the Geforce 5200 or 5500.

2) Buy a new AGP card for my older AMD XP 1800/nForce2 system and forget about the dell for now.

3) Buy a new motherboard for the dell and a new video card.
This would probably be the best solution, but unfortunatly also the most expensive.

The Dell's CPU is a 2.8 GHz P4 DT.

What would you do to maximize performance per dollar?

Sell the Dell and upgrade the Nforce2 system to Athlon64-3K Nforce4.
Buy a new PCI Xpress Video Card.

 

[daveybrat]

I recommend you buy this card for your 1800+ rig:

Newegg EVGA 6600GT AGP

$119 after rebate for a very fast card that will play fine on an 1800+ cpu.

The dell will cost to much to upgrade, as you'll have to buy an older motherboard for socket 478 which is now dead, as well as having to purchase the above card, and then buying a new case and cpu fan as the cooling method on dells is proprietary and the wires and connections inside the case are proprietary.
Bottom line: too much to spend on that machine.

 

[RussianSensation]

$70 9700Pro 128mb

Just put that in your Nforce 2 system. It is a good cheap card and will allow for some light gaming. Next time don't buy into the dell hype.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

Originally posted by: L00PY
Though it depends on what you plan on doing with the "suitable graphics", I really don't see a good path for you. Dell uses a proprietary mobo layout so getting a replacement for your Intel box will be difficult. AGP's turning into somewhat of a dead end and even with a new AGP card, the older CPU and platform will likely become a bottleneck on the AMD box. PCI is probably the worst option, but perhaps the "best" in your case.

The best option is to start a new box, but that's even more expensive.

How much are you looking to spend and how long do you plan for this upgrade to last?

are you sure dell uses a proprietary mobo? I have removed the mobo in my emachines before and replaced it with a standard mobo. From the looks of it, my dell and my compaq also are standard mobos, although i've never actually tried replacing either of those. But AFAIk, it's cheaper for dell to use standard components just like everyone else instead of making their own.

 

[nomagic]

I am going to bet that your Dell PSU is proprietary. It is still pin compatible, but the pin arrangement is changed. This happened to my old dell. In addition, I am also going to bet that your Dell power switch is proprietary. You will have to solder the switch, so the Dell switch will work. This also happened to my old Dell.

If you choose to swap the motherboard, you will need a PSU adapter, which you can find if you google. The adapter rearrange the pins to ATX standard. Alternatively, you could DIY and solder. However, this is not suggested, and you could fry the MB if you dont have the right arrangement.

You might also want to consider a new case if you dont have to solder the dell switch.

If you decided not the change the motherboard and buy a PCI video card instead, you need to be aware that the performance gain will probably not be a lot. You will be viewing a lot of slide shows on modern games. (low FPS )

Buying a new AGP card for your old computer is probably the best option of the three. Keep in mind that AGP is being replaced by PCIe, and most PCIe cards are a little cheaper than their AGP conterpart. (Correct my if I am wrong.)

If I were you, I would biuld a new computer and use the parts from the Dell (CPU, RAM, DVD-RW, floppy, cables...etc)

This is the crap we get for buying a Dell. Yeah, it's cheap, but its all proprietary.

 

[Wellsoul2]

You can buy an Emachines, Compaq , HP , etc
for around the same price as a Dell.

Some even have Sempron processor and AGP or
even Radeon XPRESS video which is better than
the usual onboard video.
(Although Intel is buying these guys off and
making them phase out the AMD CPU's)

You get what you pay for but there are some
surprise bargains if you do the research.

Dell is ok for grandma who wants a warranty on
the cheapest box. (Still prefer Compaq)

All the better Dell boxes can be beat by other deals.

I would think you'd want AGP or PCI express in a home
box..even a crapbox could use DVI.

 

[L00PY]

Originally posted by: unfalliblekrutch
But AFAIk, it's cheaper for dell to use standard components just like everyone else instead of making their own.

But once you get as large as Dell, it's cheaper to have manufacturers make components to your specifications. Sure add ons will be standard, but proprietary core items force users like eversa to buy a new machine to upgrade.

 

[eversa]

Thanks for all of your great responses. Looks like most of you would pick option 2 or 3.

I think a new motherboard would end up costing about $800, since I would HAVE to buy a new AMD X2 chip and new memory and case and power supply in addition to the video card . So that option is pretty much out.

I think also that I would prefer to use the dell to the AMD box, because it will be faster at everything else non 3d (e.g. photoshop, c++compilation, etc.).

So that leaves the option I left off the origional list, option 0: do nothing, or a PCI video card.

 

[Demoth]

Originally posted by: eversa

I think a new motherboard would end up costing about $800, since I would HAVE to buy a new AMD X2 chip and new memory and case and power supply in addition to the video card . So that option is pretty much out.
.

It would help to know what model Dell you have an the specs. You can salvage most of the components from the Dell. The CPU, heatsink, HD, floppy, CD rom, memory, case fans if any, etc.

A decent case (at least 100X better then Dell's) with a 450 watt PSU can be had for $40 when a dealer is running free shipping. A CPU fan would be $5 or less if you want something not made for overclocking. You'll need a new OS as once the MB is switched, the OEM windows will read it as a new computer, so another $85, and a good PCI-e MB can be had for $50 if you shop around online.

You'd be looking at sub $200, not $800 to get a much better system and be set up for a PCIe card, even a $45 refurbed 6600 if your strapped for cash at the beginning. Your most expensive upgrade besides a better vid card would be the OS, but you can use a store bought XP OEM on multiple builds for years unlike a Dell OEM OS.

 

[beggerking]

buy AGP..anything is better than integrated. I don't believe you can change out the mB since Dell uses a propritary heatsink+fan ( which is excellent, almost completely silent, just bad for upgrade).

I'd say get anything above ATI 9800 or Nvidia 6600 depends on how you game.