Please help w/ new graphics card for Dell pc...

[bza420]

Hi! i have a Dell Optiplex GX260, 3Ghz P4, 512mb/ram, AGP 4x slot, XP PRO. it is the bigger mini-tower cases for the Dell. i want to add a new graphics card to it but know the compatibilities and all that on which cards i could run. im going to upgrade the ram to 1gb this weekend too. and im going to get a new power supply too just dont know which i should get. like i said before i only have a 4X AGP slot to work with. and i dont know even that i have the biggest-case dells they offer, if i can fit any graphics card in it. i know the AGP 4X will hurt me a little compared to 8X but thats what i have and i cant upgrade mobo. i also have a spec sheet of my pc ill link to at the end if that will help figure out what i can run. i would like to run something like the x1950pro or the 7600gt something like that. but i need to know if recent cards like these will work in my pc. here is the link for my pc specs. please read the whole file but here is a sample from the file for the agp slot.

DMI Extension Slot
------------------
designation AGP1
type AGP 4x
width 32 bits
populated no

CPUz text file for Dell Optiplex GX260">http://www.angelfire.com/de2/deathdrop72/cpuz.txt</a>

 

[Arkaign]

That GX260 uses the Intel 845G chipset, and has an 8x AGP slot, backwards compatible w/4x. Your Psu not being very beefy, I'd recommend sticking with something like the 7600GT, as it is very easy on your Psu. Changing the psu on that dell is not feasible. But the 7600GT will run just fine with what you have, and the extra memory will help a ton. You should be able to run most games on medium/high at 1024x768, and most older games (CS:S, UT) @ 1280 or higher max detail.

 

[bza420]

yeah it has a stock 250w power supply, and i dont know what kind to get that would fit or be compatible with my dell. i play Nascar Racing 2003 Season (or NR2003 for short) 90% of the time and a few older games. thats only because i only have an integrated 64mb intel card that can only get 20-40fps in 800x600 with details low. its horrible and barely playable. ill get some newer games when i get a better AGP card and find out if and what kind of PSU i need. thanks. brad

 

[Arkaign]

Dell uses proprietary power supplies on their PCs, so it's unfortunately impossible to buy an aftermarket one and just plug it in. I suppose you could find the whitesheets on the Dell PSU, and rewire the new one to work, but it would be a nightmare to rewire, and disastrous if not done perfectly.

That 250w will do nicely with a stock 7600gt.

 

[bza420]

yeah i figured it would. i only have 1 dvd burner installed and only use 2 usb ports and an older 17inch monitor.

 

[bza420]

i believe this is the power supply i have. looking at this do i really have a chance of running a 7600gt with this? and since it says i only have a 4X AGP slot it might not consume that much power. any suggestions?

# Dell Optiplex GX240 , Optiplex GX260
# MODEL: NPS-250KB B
# AC INPUT: (50-60Hz) /

o 100-120V~/9.0A
o 200-240V~/4.5A

# DC OUTPUT: +5V=/22.0A , -12V=/1.0A

o +12V=/14.0A, +3.3V=/18.0A
o +5VSB=/2.0A
o MAX. OUTPUT POWER: 250Watt

 

[Matt2]

Originally posted by: bza420
i believe this is the power supply i have. looking at this do i really have a chance of running a 7600gt with this? and since it says i only have a 4X AGP slot it might not consume that much power. any suggestions?

# Dell Optiplex GX240 , Optiplex GX260
# MODEL: NPS-250KB B
# AC INPUT: (50-60Hz) /

o 100-120V~/9.0A
o 200-240V~/4.5A

# DC OUTPUT: +5V=/22.0A , -12V=/1.0A

o +12V=/14.0A, +3.3V=/18.0A
o +5VSB=/2.0A
o MAX. OUTPUT POWER: 250Watt

14A??

Damn, 7600GT for you my friend.

 

[bza420]

14A??

Damn, 7600GT for you my friend.

umm. so can i run it with that psu?

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: bza420

14A??

Damn, 7600GT for you my friend.

umm. so can i run it with that psu?

Yes, without a doubt, and don't be sad, 7600GT is a helluva card, esp. if you keep to 1024x768 or 1280x1024 @ high detail. BF2, Fear, Oblivion, etc, run very very nice.

 

[bza420]

thanks guys for all the info. ill be getting one in about a week and ill post here when i install it and test it out.

 

[bza420]

i was just thinking. i only need my 1 dvd drive. i could unhook my old cd-rom and my floppy drive that i dont use anymore. this should help with the 7600gt working with my psu.