what graphics card for Dell XPS 630i

bucknail

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Jun 20, 2014
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What graphics card upgrade would everyone suggest for the following. My graphics cards are toast. I don't play any games although I am an Architect and use 3d modeling software (Revit) and render on occasion when I moonlight on my own projects. I watch a ton of movies on my PC and am thinking about getting a bigger screen or TV. I want to get a few more years out of this desktop and want to spend under $200 on a new graphics card. Also, should I upgrade my OS while I'm at it? Other suggestions

Dell XPS 630i (bought 2008)
Vista Home Premium 64 (should I updrade my OS?)
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400
8gb DDR2 RAM
PCI-Express x16 capable motherboard
Dual NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT cards (but they are toast)







 
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figured I give you this so down the road you may not feel so bad .... but I could be wrong in your case .. good luck

some models of store bought computers [dell.hp,acer,ect..] may come with a ''locked'' bios and may not allow you to change certain hardware as a video card.. this is done to protect them from undue warranty claims and refunds .this is not done to hurt you but to protect them. you really need to see if that upgrade has been proven to work in your model first before you invest money in it .. there are a lot of these threads here at toms to look at some models will allow upgrades and some dont.. and a lot of guys here say ya ya ya when is really no no no...it would be sad you spent $200 on a card that wount post after you...
What kind of power supply do you have? If you were running Dual 9800's then you probably have a good beefy PSU. If its 500 watts or more you can pic for a LOT of video cards. pretty sure you can get a 660ti around that range.

as for the OS it wouldn't hurt to upgrade to Windows 7 at least. The CPU, disspite what others may think, isn't that bad. I have a Q9550 2.83 overclocked to 3.5 and it runs great for me! That with my GTX 480 i run most games on high with no issue. Some games i have to run on medium.
 

Scampi

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May 26, 2014
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Although Windows XP recently passed its support period by Microsoft, Windows Vista will be supported until April 2017. Which will likely surpass your expectations of the lifespan of this system. So no worries about that.

As to graphics card, the GTX 750 is a good choice, it.s low power consuming & packs a lot of performance.
 
figured I give you this so down the road you may not feel so bad .... but I could be wrong in your case .. good luck

some models of store bought computers [dell.hp,acer,ect..] may come with a ''locked'' bios and may not allow you to change certain hardware as a video card.. this is done to protect them from undue warranty claims and refunds .this is not done to hurt you but to protect them. you really need to see if that upgrade has been proven to work in your model first before you invest money in it .. there are a lot of these threads here at toms to look at some models will allow upgrades and some dont.. and a lot of guys here say ya ya ya when is really no no no...it would be sad you spent $200 on a card that wount post after you installed it as most find out. then get told its your psu and you spend more and end up right back where you are now, but its up to you good luck..


you got to know the the boards in these computers are not like the ones we use to do custom builds witch are open to upgrading with in the boards compatibly . the bios is custom made for there design and just for the parts they authorize to be used on there computers
 
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