GeForce 6600 GT & Dell 4500?

[DCDUB]

Pardon my newbie-ness in advance. I'm looking to replace the vc that came in my Dell 4500 (I believe it's a geforce4MX 420). I want to move up to something powerful enough to run today's games such as HL2, Doom3, Far Cry, etc. Also want to speed up video editing. Looking at the GeForce 6600GT (AGP). However, I'm not sure if I'll hit a bottleneck elsewhere in my system that would make the card less useful.

I already think I'll need a new power supply as somewhere I think I read that mine only has 250w (could this be?). Here is my system to the best of my recollection:

P4 2.4 Ghz 533 fsb
1 gig ram
stock AGP 64mb card (mx420?)
CD-RW
DVD-RW

Any thoughts? I think I saw it for $179. Overkill? Underkill? Good or
bad fit for my system?

thanks

 

[biostud]

The 6600GT AGP will be a good choice, if indeed you have an AGP slot and buy a better PSU. It might run on the 250W, but my friend had a PSU blown up + videocard (GF4Ti) because of underpowered PSU.

 

[DCDUB]

thanks biostud. yes, almost positive I have an AGP slot (4x?), but will crack the case to double check tonight. any issues with it being 4x versus 8x...? I'll also see need to check on my psu and i'm guessing those are not too $$. thanks again!!

 

[blahsome]

Originally posted by: DCDUB
any issues with it being 4x versus 8x...?

Not that I know of. There is also a current deal at Outpost.com for an Antec(?) 350W power supply at $20 after rebate.

 

[isekii]

I dont think Dells accept aftermarket PSU's.

Get the Dell 8400 PSU on ebay or something
It's cheap and it 's 350watt.

 

[coomar]

how can they stop the powersupply, is there a bios check that requires a dell PSU?

 

[DCDUB]

Appreciate the input blahsome regarding AGP 4x vs 8x...
I've heard/read that a card capable of 8x will work in a 4x slot...but not sure if it capitalizes completely on the max speed. Come to think of it, not completely sure what the heck the 'x' refers to anyway...but not too worried about it. I'll look into the psu over at outpost as soon as i verify my current psu wattage; hoping when I open the case tonight it'll be printed on the psu (?). Thanks again.

 

[DCDUB]

Whoa isekii, I never thought of that possible problem. So, if I use another (more powerful) Dell psu that'll be the work-around? Thanks much!!

 

[imported_Kensai]

The 6600GT is a great card.
Any AGP 8X card will work in a 4X card, it's listed in the 8X specification.
Usually it's listed on a label stuck to the PSU.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Originally posted by: coomar
how can they stop the powersupply, is there a bios check that requires a dell PSU?

Sometimes, they have a non-standard mobo connector and the case might require some modifications for it to fit.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: Kensai

Originally posted by: coomar
how can they stop the powersupply, is there a bios check that requires a dell PSU?

Sometimes, they have a non-standard mobo connector and the case might require some modifications for it to fit.

Yea I heard that it's a different type of connector.
You can check on Dell Support to see what they of connection the motherboard offers before you purchase it.
But I'd suggest you stick to the Dell brand to ensure compatibility.
I've also heard stuff where people modified aftermarket PSU's for Dell use and it fried their mobo.

 

[DCDUB]

couldn't find a dell 350w psu on ebay...but may have found one at another location (any suggestions appreciated). Also, browsing thru the dell support forum I found the following posted by a regular there:

custom power supply for dimension 4500?

the ps which came with your system is actually a 350w ps...dell doesn't rate their ps by the peak powerusge like aftermarket ps's do.... i suggest that you keep what you have....

I'm at work now and thus can't look inside my box, but itching to get home now.

 

[kylebisme]

Yeah, Dell uses some pretty solid PSUs, I wouldn't worry about it at all.

 

[RajunCajun]

I had a Dim4500 as my last PC and ran an FX5900 AGP without ANY problems with the stock PSU - 2 hard drives, optical drive, 4 sticks DDR memory, Audigy 2, TV card, network card, etc. That 250W rating is VERY conservative - it's AVERAGE watts and not PEAK rated. So I don't think you'll have any problems running a 6600GT with the stock PSU.

But if you do decide to change PSUs, BEWARE that the connectors on this particular Dimension (and many other Dells) LOOK the same but the internal wiring is REVERSED. Bottom line if you plug in any stock PSU >>>>> instant burn!!!. Google search for Power Supplies for Dells and you'll find several web sites that will sell you one, but for ^$$$.

Just install the 6600GT and you should be fine. Make sure to plug in the extra power connector so it get enough juice. You won't damage anything to try - if the card isn't getting enough power Forceware driver will warn you (at least this was the case with my FX5900, even though the box never popped up for me!)

 

[DCDUB]

yes, snowman, that seems to be the consensus over on the dell forum too. prolly just take the dive and order the Leadtek GeForce 6600 GT from newegg.com unless anyone has any better suggestions for where to buy.
Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[DCDUB]

wow thanks RajunCajun, more good info.!
Incidently I do have 2 HDs, 2 optical, 2 sticks ddr, nic, and assorted usb peripherals, but no tv tuner. I read somewhere (PCWorld mag i think) that you could add up the power drain by adding up each source of the power usage...but I think I'll just go for it and stop worrying.

And, hoping I have an available power connector...can't remember when I installed the 2nd burner if I had any left. Must check tonight.
Thanks again.

 

[sisq0kidd]

Put in video card
If psu is sufficient
then do not replace
else replace

 

[DCDUB]

FYI - I purchased the Leadtek GeForce 6600GT (AGP) last night from newegg for $146 after $20 rebate. This was after confirming I indeed had an AGP slot and a free power connector (will definitely need extension though to reach). Also, may have to remove a PCI card (who uses a phone modem anymore anyway?) to make extra breathing room. So, here goes nuthin.

 

[cn]

DCDUB,

So... How did the experiment go? I have exactly the same setup (Dim 4500 with GeForce4 MX 420, and a bunch of drives) and would like to know if your computer is running fine...

And I am planning to buy the same vc...

Thanks,

cn

 

[VegasF6]

I have a Dell Dimension 3000, the first thing I did when I took it out of the shipping box was to put in an Antec whisper series power supply, before I ever plugged it in. Wasn't a problem.

 

[hans030390]

try to disconnect anything you don't need from the PSU, and you should be fine. Check the amps on the rails (especially the 12v rail). Give us the info. You should be good to go though.

Oh, and get a leadtek 6600gt. Best quality.

 

[Deinonych]

If you end up needing to get a new PSU, PC Power & Cooling makes Dell-compatible units:

http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=S41D

 

[stoked]

Did you get it up and running? I'm about to drop a 6600GT into a Dimension 4500 as well. Worried about the PSU.

 

[cn]

I don't want to change the power supply... And if DCDUB's experiment was successful, I will just drop the 6600GT into the 4500 an see if I get the same result...

 

[DCDUB]

Sorry for the delay in responding to you CN, but it worked out fine. No problems with the power supply or AGP slot. Simply removed the old stock vc and installed the new. I did have to use the power supply splitter/extender that was included with the card, but that was expected. Strangely, some of the software (forget the name, but you use it to over clock among other things) that came with the card wouldn't install so I used coolbit and it integrated right into the nvidia driver/settings software.