Upgrading GPU in an old Dell

Stereojunkie · Jan 14, 2014

Hey guys!

I have an old Dell XPS 420 standing in my room and it could use a little upgrade.
I figured the easiest part (and also the part which needs replacing the most in my case) to replace would be my GPU. Currently it has a ATI Radeon HD2600XT.
It has an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @2.4 GHz and 4GB of RAM

First of all,
I'm not sure if my motherboard supports newer videocards. I have an old GTX 285 laying about and it doesn't work on my PC. (This could be because it has been plugged into the system with only one of the PSU cables attached)
I just want to make sure a newer GPU will work on my PC before actually buying one.
(I have already replaced the stock PSU, it now holds a 600 Watt PSU which should be sufficient for a GPU in my price range)

Secondly,
Which GPU would you prefer me?
I play on a 1680x1050 screen and I am a gamer.
Ultra is not neccesarry, 60 FPS on medium is more than ample for me.
I'm looking for a card which is under 150$.

Thanks a lot in advance guys!

Peace

chrisso · Jan 14, 2014

First off, If the 285 is still good, it will only work with all power sockets filled.

Stereojunkie · Jan 14, 2014

That would be great. I think it's broken though since I once plugged it in with one cable. Now when I install the GTX the pc won't boot

chrisso · Jan 14, 2014

2nd off, check with dells support site for cards from its era.
Be aware that some cards wont be supported by your bios, and that some cards new simply wont be compatible,despite what they say. I would recommend a second hand card from its era, like a gtx460 or
gts 450. or ati hd5770 or 5850 or 5830. Avoid nvidia 6 series, (esp ti and boost cards).as these seem to crop up on here a lot giving backward compatibility probs.

chrisso · Jan 14, 2014

You should try resetting your cmos then fill all the sockets on the card and power it up. , usually if you dont fill all the sockets it doesnt damage it.-Dont forget it is totally different to the amd card. It wont look as nice as a dx11 card like a gtx460 though, even with massive frame rates it is still playstation 3 graphics.

Stereojunkie · Jan 14, 2014

chrisso :

Alright, I'll try resetting the CMOS right now. If this works, you will be my hero.

Stereojunkie · Jan 14, 2014

Still doesn't work after resetting the CMOS.
It'll power up but then the fans are just running on max power and it wont stop.
No screen

chrisso · Jan 14, 2014

pull the sata lead off the lead drive and try it.

Stereojunkie · Jan 14, 2014

chrisso :

Same thing happens

chrisso · Jan 14, 2014

hard drive, sorry.

Stereojunkie · Jan 14, 2014

Yeah I figured that, the same thing as before occurs

chrisso · Jan 14, 2014

no ideas then. It would look crap compared to a 5770 or gtx460 or whatever anyway.
Any of those I said would look real nice at that res.

Stereojunkie · Jan 14, 2014

huh, I just read that you can pretty much use any GPU as long as the PSU holds up.

In that case I could get a card like a 7870 which is much better than an 460 or 5770

chrisso · Jan 14, 2014

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-review,review-32716-7.html

Have a look , ypu want something about level with the 285, but new enough for dx 11.
like the 460 or 5770 or older (hd48xx dx10 card)DX10 is not as good as 11, but it is a lot better looking than dx9.

chrisso · Jan 14, 2014

If somebody else has done it you can do it. If you dont have proof it will run on that board with dells bios it might not run.

bailey1399 · Jan 14, 2014

I would recommend a GTX 460 as well. That card coupled with your CPU and RAM should hold up in new releases (not at ultra or high settings, but medium or low would work) probably without having to drop the resolution. If you can find a cheap HD 5850 1GB, that would also be a great option.

Good luck!

chrisso · Jan 15, 2014

Yes, I am loving the 5850 option. I know it is tempting to get something uber fast, but your cpu has to keep up. A mate of mine runs one still with a 2600k, and he doesnt feel the need to upgrade it.

Upgrading GPU in an old Dell

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