I've been looking into buying a new graphics card for over a month now but can't decide. I'm using a dell inspiron 530s with core 2 duo E4500 @2.2ghz, 3gb DDR2 ram, 240gb sata, 1280x1024 19inch monitor and windows xp. Since its a slimline computer I can only go for low profile cards. I'm currently using a HD2400 pro which has been overclocked from 525/400 to 650/500.
The main problem is of course the 250w tfx power supply that came with the dell. The amps for the power supply are +3.3V (11/0.0A), +5V (18/2.0A), +12V (17/0.0A), -12V (0.3/0.0A), +5VSB (2.0/0.0A), +5V and +3.3V-120W maximum output. I've had this computer for over a year using the overclocked graphics card without any problems.
The four options I currently have are:
1. Buy the hd5570-low power card with alot better performance then my current card. I think it should work fine as it has a max power draw of 42w while the stock 2400 pro has a max power draw of 25w. No idea how much power the overclocked 2400 pro uses.
2. Wait for the HD5670 low profile-no idea when its coming out or the cost. The normal 5670s are cheaper then the 5570's in the UK. The normal 5670 has a max power draw of 61w but I'm expecting the low profile version to have slightly less. I was told it could work on a dell 250w power supply but still risky.
3. Buy this psu and wait for the HD5670 low profile-Would reduce the risk as the psu has more watts and is more efficient but it would increase the cost. If low profile version is priced the same as the normal then the decision is about whether i should spend £25 more for 10-15 fps increase on the 5570. I could maybe go for the 5750 low profile when it releases.
4. Buy a new case, psu and HD5670/5750/5770-The psu I'm looking at is a corsair cx400w. Costs the same as the tfx power supply and case is pretty cheap aswell. The motherboard is mATX so it should work with an ATX psu. With a better power supply and more space I could fit a better graphics card but that would increase the cost. There is also the issue of moving the motherboard into another case which I have never done before, so it could be risky. Wondering if it would be worth it since I can only use DX9 with windows xp.
The main problem is of course the 250w tfx power supply that came with the dell. The amps for the power supply are +3.3V (11/0.0A), +5V (18/2.0A), +12V (17/0.0A), -12V (0.3/0.0A), +5VSB (2.0/0.0A), +5V and +3.3V-120W maximum output. I've had this computer for over a year using the overclocked graphics card without any problems.
The four options I currently have are:
1. Buy the hd5570-low power card with alot better performance then my current card. I think it should work fine as it has a max power draw of 42w while the stock 2400 pro has a max power draw of 25w. No idea how much power the overclocked 2400 pro uses.
2. Wait for the HD5670 low profile-no idea when its coming out or the cost. The normal 5670s are cheaper then the 5570's in the UK. The normal 5670 has a max power draw of 61w but I'm expecting the low profile version to have slightly less. I was told it could work on a dell 250w power supply but still risky.
3. Buy this psu and wait for the HD5670 low profile-Would reduce the risk as the psu has more watts and is more efficient but it would increase the cost. If low profile version is priced the same as the normal then the decision is about whether i should spend £25 more for 10-15 fps increase on the 5570. I could maybe go for the 5750 low profile when it releases.
4. Buy a new case, psu and HD5670/5750/5770-The psu I'm looking at is a corsair cx400w. Costs the same as the tfx power supply and case is pretty cheap aswell. The motherboard is mATX so it should work with an ATX psu. With a better power supply and more space I could fit a better graphics card but that would increase the cost. There is also the issue of moving the motherboard into another case which I have never done before, so it could be risky. Wondering if it would be worth it since I can only use DX9 with windows xp.
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