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Video Card Recommendation

What's your budget? What games do you play? What resolution do you game at?

Really the two best values right now are the 512mb ATI 3850 (NOT the 256mb), and the 512mb nVidia 8800GT.

The 3850 is around $180 and the 8800 is around $250. GL.
 
the 3850 is only sold with 256MB of RAM...the 3870 has 512MB...but with old processor I would suggest the 3850...you might bottleneck a 3870
 
I have a 19" LCD. I mainly play RTS type of games.

I was thinking of getting the x1950PRO possible the 512mb version. What do you think of that card. I am a little concerned because my computer is a Dell 8400 i purchased back in late 2004. I do not want to spend over 150.00 for a card...
 
Originally posted by: GabeGT
I have a 19" LCD. I mainly play RTS type of games.

I was thinking of getting the x1950PRO possible the 512mb version. What do you think of that card. I am a little concerned because my computer is a Dell 8400 i purchased back in late 2004. I do not want to spend over 150.00 for a card...
Click to expand...

I totally agree. Don't waste too much money on that system. I would get a 1950gt and play as long as I could. Save your money for a duel core system.

Mabe try a used 7900gt. (less then 100.00$) Your cpu will still be the bottleneck.
 
The PSU you have is the PC power and cooling 350 watt. Not a very good PSU, but also a bit under-rated power wise. No idea what it would deliver on the 12 volt rail which is the important number to know for running a vid card. However, some users have reported running up to 7900GTs just fine on that PSU while others have had problems. ATI 19XX series tend to draw more power then Nivida counterparts and this is true up to the 38XX series. However, ATI cards have better IQ until Nvidia released the 8XXX series. Your Dell will take a standard ATX PSU but from what I am reading some people are complaining they needed to cut a hole in the case for airflow as the case itself has a propriatory layout.

I suggest getting the card you want from a vendor with a 30 day no questions asked return policy. These types of returns do not only cover defects, but also cover people buying incompatible parts and such. Try it and if it dosen't work out, return it. Even if it does work, you may want to return it and get a much cheaper deal from an online vendor.

If you end up spending near $150, I'd spend the extra $30 for a 3850 because in the long run, your saving money with the extra life of the card and the option to one day use it in a crossfire configuration when you eventually upgrade your whole system.
 
Originally posted by: GabeGT
Yes it has a PCI Express slot Thanks
Click to expand...

No, no...he means a PCI Express connector from the PSU. I think a 1950GT needs an additional plug (4 pin or 6 pin? not sure) - it can't get enough power simply from the PCI-E slot on the motherboard.
 
By the way, Dell not only recommends an additional propriatory blower fan be installed in the 8400 if a vid card with a draw of more then 75 watts is installed, but according to posts, you'll get an error message everytime you boot which can be bypassed by pressing F1. The reason for this is because the computer has no airflow inside and Dell is covering themselves from people buring up their vid cards. You may want to add a cheap slot cooler.

Because the 8400 had the option to ship with a X800XT and numerous people are reporting running 7900GTs on the stock 350 watt PSU, I am assuming it must have the PCI Express connector, but I can not find any documentation stating whether this is true.
 
Originally posted by: Demoth
Because the 8400 had the option to ship with a X800XT and numerous people are reporting running 7900GTs on the stock 350 watt PSU, I am assuming it must have the PCI Express connector, but I can not find any documentation stating whether this is true.
Click to expand...

You are probably right, but it could be worth your time to open the case and see if the PCI-E connector is there
 
Originally posted by: Demoth
By the way, Dell not only recommends an additional propriatory blower fan be installed in the 8400 if a vid card with a draw of more then <75 watts is installed, but according to posts, you'll get an error message everytime you boot which can be bypassed by pressing F1. The reason for this is because the computer has no airflow inside and Dell is covering themselves from people buring up their vid cards. You may want to add a cheap slot cooler.

Because the 8400 had the option to ship with a X800XT and numerous people are reporting running 7900GTs on the stock 350 watt PSU, I am assuming it must have the PCI Express connector, but I can not find any documentation stating whether this is true.
Click to expand...

The 7900gt pulls 48 watts. My 7800gs pulls 52watts and ran fine when my system was a Dell. But............more cooling is always a plus:beer:

Edit; x800xt pulls 58 watts. He should be fine
 
Ok I will open the case and check for the PCI Express connector, also I failed to mention I currently have a X800 card in place that is the card I will be replacing...

I did not realize all the different things that need to be considered when replacing a video card, thanks for the all the input, keep it coming if you think I am missing something...
Maybe I should check the Dell Boards and ask other 8400 owners if they had issues upgrading... Thanks again..
 
Ok I have decided I can go with the x1950pro..... I have also read that people have even played supcom with this card using a P4 cpu..... Right now I just purchased Company of Heroes and looking to see how that plays......
 
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