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What video card for Vostro 400 Mini Tower??

it was assumed you were doing some gaming on it by asking "whats the best for 120$" instead of just buying the absolute cheapest video card you can find... I just got my mom a GF 6400 as a replacement card for 40$ because she does 0 gaming on her nice 1900x1200 monitor... Driving 2d is an issue of the past for the last 10 years, every card can do it. its only 3d performance that requires you to get a better card.

That being said... what laminator said:
X1950 PRO
7900GS
8600GT
HD 2600 XT
 
Im thinking about getting the 8600GT. Seems like a nice card. Is it possible for me to put in the 8600GTS instead?
 
i do not understand the question... what do you mean is it possible to put in the 8600GTS instead? you can put in any card you want, it is just a matter of much you are willing to pay. Or are you asking if the 8600GT has the same performance of an 8600GTS?
 
Originally posted by: taltamir
i do not understand the question... what do you mean is it possible to put in the 8600GTS instead? you can put in any card you want, it is just a matter of much you are willing to pay. Or are you asking if the 8600GT has the same performance of an 8600GTS?
Click to expand...

Because my PSU might not be able to handle it?
 
ok well it seems from the edoc on dell that the psu is only 250 watts. I just ordered 4gb's of ram because it was cheap. I don't think my system will have enough power for the video card.
 
well the slim tower also only takes half height cards.


so you are more or less screwed. basically you are limited to low profile 8400GS cards (there might be a low profile 8500gt out there). or a 2400 radeon pro. not paticularly awesome for gaming.
 
Originally posted by: hans007
well the slim tower also only takes half height cards.


so you are more or less screwed. basically you are limited to low profile 8400GS cards (there might be a low profile 8500gt out there). or a 2400 radeon pro. not paticularly awesome for gaming.
Click to expand...

Great, thanks for the info gonna cancel my order asap.
 
I ended up canceling and getting this

Intel Core2 Duo Proc E4500 (2.20GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800FSB)
Genuine Windows XP Home Edition Or Vista Home Basic
Memory 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz - 2DIMMs
Monitor Dell 20 inch Widescreen E207WFP Analog Flat Panel Display
128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8300GS
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
16X (DVD+/-RW) Burner Drive
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
1 Year On-Site Service, Parts + Labor, 24x7 Phone Support

Think i will get either the 8600GT or the 8600GTS
 
If it is the mini tower instead of the slim tower, then it has enough physical space to fit any card. If you are definately going to add a better card, then see if you can cancel the included Geforce 8300GS to drop the price of the system. It has integrated graphics, so you should be able to get that configuration. The stock PSU is a 300W Bestec with 18A on the +12v rail. It has only a FDD and four SATA connectors, no PCI-E or molex plugs at all. This means you are limited to video cards that do not require additional power, unless you upgrade the PSU. Best Nvidia card not needing additional power is the 8600GT, best ATI is 2600XT.
 
Originally posted by: Zap
If it is the mini tower instead of the slim tower, then it has enough physical space to fit any card. If you are definately going to add a better card, then see if you can cancel the included Geforce 8300GS to drop the price of the system. It has integrated graphics, so you should be able to get that configuration. The stock PSU is a 300W Bestec with 18A on the +12v rail. It has only a FDD and four SATA connectors, no PCI-E or molex plugs at all. This means you are limited to video cards that do not require additional power, unless you upgrade the PSU. Best Nvidia card not needing additional power is the 8600GT, best ATI is 2600XT.
Click to expand...

Didn't have the option for it. I think im going to replace the PSU And get something like the 8800GTS 320mb or the 8800GT. What PSU Do you recommend?
 
the stock psu can probably handle a 8600gts or something. 18amps is not particularly awesome. you could also just buy a new power supply and then use any video card you wannt.
 
Originally posted by: MyStupidMouth

I think im going to replace the PSU And get something like the 8800GTS 320mb or the 8800GT. What PSU Do you recommend?
Click to expand...

I suggest you read this first to put you into the proper PSU-shopping mood.

Anandtech's recent PSU review

The winners are the Corsair and Antec, both made by Seasonic, but with cost-saving compromises. So my reasonning goes: Why not go all the way and get a Seasonic?

500 or 550 Watts should be comfortable to power that 8800GT

You could also consider the Corsair 550VX

I recently had to replace my PSU, and if I had seen the above review, I would probably have gotten a Seasonic instead of the Antec Eartwatts.

 
If you want a 8800 card, you need a sufficient PSU. But it could be less than you think. On a tighter budget, you might consider getting the Antec Eartwatts 380, as I did. It is enough to power a biggger system than yours with 8800GTX: PROOF

With the lower power requirements of the 8800GT, the Eartwatts 380 should be good to go. The Earthwatts 380 has 34 amperes on the 12V rails, which is generous for a 380W PSU.

BTW, that $ 59 price from Newegg is not especially exciting. I paid C$ 42 on DirectCanada.com, which is about $ 44 US
 
Just got my Workstation today and i checked the inside and it has a PCI-E power plug to my surprise. Its a Lite On 300 watter so im not sure what to get.
 
Originally posted by: MyStupidMouth
Just got my Workstation today and i checked the inside and it has a PCI-E power plug to my surprise. Its a Lite On 300 watter so im not sure what to get.
Click to expand...

PCI-E connector or not, you have to be careful of what you add to the system, power-wise. Is there a label on the PSU that gives Amperes on each rail?

You can use the Extreme PSU calculator as a rough guide of what videocard you can safely add.

 
Originally posted by: BernardP
Originally posted by: MyStupidMouth
Just got my Workstation today and i checked the inside and it has a PCI-E power plug to my surprise. Its a Lite On 300 watter so im not sure what to get.
Click to expand...

PCI-E connector or not, you have to be careful of what you add to the system, power-wise. Is there a label on the PSU that gives Amperes on each rail?

You can use the Extreme PSU calculator as a rough guide of what videocard you can safely add.
Click to expand...


18A 🙁
 
Amps per rail doesn't tell you squat. Look at the max total 12V output and divide by 12.

Dell PSUs are generally good and very conservatively rated. It'll definitely power a $100 card (2600XT kills the 8600GT these days), though 8800GT is a stretch.
 
Originally posted by: s44
Amps per rail doesn't tell you squat. Look at the max total 12V output and divide by 12.

Dell PSUs are generally good and very conservatively rated. It'll definitely power a $100 card (2600XT kills the 8600GT these days), though 8800GT is a stretch.
Click to expand...

Theres nothing that shows me the max total 12v output.
 
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