My friend's problem...

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Inspector Jihad

Inspector Jihad

Lifer
Apr 17, 2005
13,465
3
81
He bought a dell(which he's sorry for) and now he's trying to upgrade his graphics card. He's using the integrated card rite now...but when I opened up his comp to check it out, it didnt have an agp slot...instead there was just 3 holes where the slot would be. So what are his options to upgrade? Is it possible to add an agp slot? Thanks for any help.
 
Ronin

Ronin

Diamond Member
Mar 3, 2001
4,563
1
0
server.counter-strike.net
Nope, can't add an AGP slot.

His only option is a PCI based vid card (Radeon 9550/FX5200, I think are the only 2 'high' end options).

Someone feel free to correct me on the cards, though.
 
I

imported_Kensai

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
10,855
0
0
I believe you can get an FX 5500 or a 5700LE that's PCI too.
~They'll survive at the lower resolutions with lower settings. 800X600 at low should work pretty well.
 
R

ryanv12

Senior member
May 4, 2005
920
0
0
I don't know anything about dell's, but is it possible to swap the M-ATX board? Just get one compatible with his processor/memory?
 
Malak

Malak

Lifer
Dec 4, 2004
14,696
2
0
Getting a Dell isn't a bad thing. Getting a piss-poor average user dell and expect it to play new games, that's just stupid. I have a Dell gaming rig, and it worked great.

Nobody makes new PCI cards, we are 2 generations ahead in hardware. They will struggle with new games, if they work at all. In 6 months, they will be worthless.
 
ddogg

ddogg

Golden Member
May 4, 2005
1,864
361
136
the geforce4MX versions are also PCI cards...however would be useless getting them when u can get the FX5500....depending on ur budget it would definetely be worth it to upgrade ur motherboard and then fit in a reasonable AGP or PCI-e card
 
M

Munky

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2005
9,372
0
76
If you had to get a pci card, I'd get the 9550 (128-bit, 128mb), I dont see why all of you are talking about the fx cards, those were just horrible. Anyway, no pci card is going to offer you high end or even midrange performance, but the 9550 just sux less than all the other pci cards, and it's will definitely be better than the integrated card he's got.
 
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bradyapba

Senior member
Nov 29, 2004
240
0
76
the PCI 5700LE is actually a very good PCI card. The Ati's in that same price range are good as well.

The are a couple of generations old, but if you read the comments on new egg, people who bought them, were all Dell owners stuck with no AGP slot, who were extremely happy with the upgrade, and it was a big step up over the integrated graphics cards, and were able to play games like Doom 3 and Half life 2 smoothly.

So unless he wants to buy a new PC, or try a new Mobo, hes looking at the top of the line PCI card. Which isn't a terrible option based on what he has, unless he can afford a new PC.

Let us know how he makes out.

Heres a link to Neweggs high end(cough) PCI cards.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...Category=48&propertycodevalue=696:9642


Chris
 
Bateluer

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
what kind of games will he be able to run?
Click to expand...

Old shooters, most FPSs, some Sp RPGs, depends on the system specs.

Munky, the Radeon 9550 does not exist in PCI. You could get a Radeon 9250, FX5200, FX5500, GF4 MX, GF4 MX4000, Radeon 7000, and Radeon 7500. There are probably a few others, but most aren't worth mentioning. Also, the FX5500 and Radeon 9250 come in 256MB versions, complete waste of money. I'd also steer clear of the DX7 cards, like the Radeon 7x00s and the GF4MXs.
 
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bradyapba

Senior member
Nov 29, 2004
240
0
76
Originally posted by: Bateluer
Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
what kind of games will he be able to run?
Click to expand...

Old shooters, most FPSs, some Sp RPGs, depends on the system specs.

Munky, the Radeon 9550 does not exist in PCI. You could get a Radeon 9250, FX5200, FX5500, GF4 MX, GF4 MX4000, Radeon 7000, and Radeon 7500. There are probably a few others, but most aren't worth mentioning. Also, the FX5500 and Radeon 9250 come in 256MB versions, complete waste of money. I'd also steer clear of the DX7 cards, like the Radeon 7x00s and the GF4MXs.
Click to expand...


Not true, he will be able to run current games. And not even on low settings. It will be a nice upgrade over what he has.

 
B

bradyapba

Senior member
Nov 29, 2004
240
0
76
This article tells you all you need to know abut the differences between the 4... they almost all are working off the same core clocks and mem speeds...(240-270 core) and (400) mem. And they all have 4 pipelines, and 1 pixel shader, except the 5700LE which has 3 pixel shaders.

Also the Nvidia's support DX9 PS 2 and VS 2, and open GL 1.5 where the ATI's do not.

So i think the 5700LE comes out ahead with the extra pixelshaders, and DX9 support.

So if it was me, thats what I would go with.

Heres the link to the breakdown of all the cards.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2195

Good luck, let up know what you buy, and if your friend is happy.

Chris
 
Inspector Jihad

Inspector Jihad

Lifer
Apr 17, 2005
13,465
3
81
thanks brady for the good insight, i'll advice him to get the 5700...i'll surely let you know how it works...altho it might take a few extra days cause his brother is getting it for him.
 
C

Chode Messiah

Golden Member
Apr 25, 2005
1,634
0
0
the same thing happened to my friend. I heard that some guy from MIT soldered in an AGP slot from another mobo but he was a crazy techie with mad soldering skills. Go with the 5700 le, that's what I told my friend to get, and it works for him. To rip out an agp slot is TREASON! Dell must pay with the blood of tyrants! $0n$ 0f B17cH3s!!!!!!!!
 
O

otispunkmeyer

Lifer
Jun 14, 2003
10,442
0
0
Originally posted by: ryanv12
I don't know anything about dell's, but is it possible to swap the M-ATX board? Just get one compatible with his processor/memory?
Click to expand...


nope

dell use funny mounting hole positions...my fried tried this, dell mobo into a thermaltake case, no go, he had to spend £100 on what was basically the same motherboard
 
ddogg

ddogg

Golden Member
May 4, 2005
1,864
361
136
Originally posted by: bradyapba
the PCI 5700LE is actually a very good PCI card. The Ati's in that same price range are good as well.

The are a couple of generations old, but if you read the comments on new egg, people who bought them, were all Dell owners stuck with no AGP slot, who were extremely happy with the upgrade, and it was a big step up over the integrated graphics cards, and were able to play games like Doom 3 and Half life 2 smoothly.

So unless he wants to buy a new PC, or try a new Mobo, hes looking at the top of the line PCI card. Which isn't a terrible option based on what he has, unless he can afford a new PC.

Let us know how he makes out.

Heres a link to Neweggs high end(cough) PCI cards.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...Category=48&propertycodevalue=696:9642


Chris
Click to expand...

oh ya the 5700LE was a pretty decent card
 
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