Want to upgrade my gpu.

fusionguy100 · Apr 28, 2014

Ok so I have an inspiron 530. With an intel 2 quad Q6600 with 4gb of ram and pci x16. I dont know much about computers, but I have ddr2 RAM and pci x16. Am I able to run a ddr3 gpu? I think I have a 350 WW because right now i have a 9500 GT. If I can, what would be the best? Thanks for your help.

millwright · Apr 28, 2014

Yes you can run any kind of Vram, it has no connection what so ever to system ram.

The GTX 750Ti is a good card for older, or low performance computers and low power power supplies.

What Brand is the power supply, and what is your budget?

coozie7 · Apr 28, 2014

^+1 on the RAM issue.
Wouldn't say the 750Ti is exactly slow, though: It's capable of running med/high settings at 1080 res, even in demanding games and in my opinion a pretty perfect match for a stock speed Q6600/1080 monitor.
Depending on how much eye candy you want either the GTX750 (lower end) or GTX750Ti (upper end) would be a big upgrade, they're fairly compact, should be quiet and draw as much, or less power than the 9500GT.
Bear in mind, both those cards are very new and are very energy efficient so they don't usually need an external 6 pin PCI-E power lead from the power supply to run, but check any 750Ti you have in mind, just to make sure.

fusionguy100 · Apr 28, 2014

millwright :

I have no clue on what brand my power supply is, and the max I would do right now is 100, but I would prefer anything below $75.

Thanks for all your help .

millwright · Apr 28, 2014

I didn't mean to say the 750Ti was slow.
The computers that it can revive are slow.
Over at PC perspective, they have benchmarks, using that card in very slow computers, and the results are, it can really improve gaming on a not so powerful computer.
http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Graphics-Cards/Upgrade-Story-Can-GTX-750-Ti-Convert-OEMs-PCs-Gaming-PCs

millwright · Apr 28, 2014

R7 250 for about $99.
Still a pretty big improvement.
edit
GT 640.

coozie7 · Apr 28, 2014

Hard call for under $100 (I'm assuming US Dollars BTW).
Here's where the cards compare: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-review,review-32899-7.html
With these cards the memory type is important, GDDR5 is significantly faster than GDDR3 and 1Gb is all they need, only grab a 2Gb card if it's the same, or lower price than a otherwise identical 1Gb version.
A quick look through Newegg shows the GT 640 and R7 250 as being at similar prices for GDDR5 cards and with the R7 being faster the choice seems obvious.
A little under max budget:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103242
All the cheaper cards, at least on Newegg, are GDDR3 and a fair bit slower, so I'd strongly recommend you don't go for them, rather delay the upgrade until you can afford one.

millwright · Apr 28, 2014

Both require a 400 watt power supply, but a good 350watt will handle them.
If Dells power supply quality hasn't slipped, you should be OK. It used to be not the best, but not the worst either.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202052
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127686

millwright · Apr 28, 2014

I agree with the upgrade.
It will be more cost effective in the long run.
But I understand when a system upgrade is a long way off, this could also be worth it.

coozie7 · Apr 28, 2014

Both cards linked by millwright are slower, and only slightly cheaper, GDDR3 versions, I still suggest you look for faster GDDR5 equipped cards.
And yes, I'm painfully aware of 'budget' and 'broke', I'm currently out of work so I'm not making this suggestion lightly.

millwright · Apr 28, 2014

Something like this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202097

coozie7 · Apr 28, 2014

^ Right on the top of the OPs budget but it's the 'X' version...MORE POWER, IGOR!

fusionguy100 · Apr 28, 2014

millwright :

Does it matter what pci i have? All mine saids is PCI-Express Max supported x16.

coozie7 · Apr 29, 2014

Should make no difference as long as the card will fit it should run perfectly.
Just be aware that you'll need to fully uninstall the old graphics drivers before swapping cards to prevent possible driver conflicts.

fusionguy100 · Apr 29, 2014

coozie7 :

Ok cool. Thanks for all your help! I appreciate it.

millwright · Apr 29, 2014

Not to throw a wrench in, but PCI-e 1.0 can be a problem with newer cards.
Hopefully you don't have 1.0.
Even though it is all supposed to be backward and forward compatible, many 1.0 boards won't run newer cards

millwright · Apr 29, 2014

It looks like you have a PCI-e 1.0a

This seems to say it will work.
At least with one 2.0 card it did.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3515/p/19244516/20196884.aspx

Want to upgrade my gpu.

Reputable

Distinguished

Champion

Reputable

Distinguished

Distinguished

Champion

Distinguished

Distinguished

Champion

Distinguished

Champion

Reputable

Champion

Reputable

Distinguished

Distinguished

Share this page