What is a good GPU for this 10-year old Dell Dimension E520?

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Double44

Double44

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I am looking for a graphics card that is suitable to a 10-year old stock PC, a Dell Dimension E520. I'm not very savvy when it comes to choosing what to buy. I used Crucial to help me find new RAM, but need help with the GPU. I want to get the maximum performance out of its current hardware, without risk of frying it. Below are its specs, mostly gathered from Speccy.. and a pic of the inside. Please help :]

http://i.imgur.com/HR4MtJf.jpg

Operating System
Windows 10 Home 32-bit

Power Supply
305w

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 @ 1.86GHz
Conroe 65nm Technology

RAM
1.00 GB DDR2 (soon to be 4GB)

Motherboard
Dell Inc. 0WG864 (Microprocessor)

Graphics
AL2016W (1680x1050@59Hz)
Intel G965 Express Chipset Family (Dell)
Intel G965 Express Chipset Family (Dell)

Storage
298GB Western Digital WDC WD3200AAKS-61L9A0 (SATA)

Optical Drives
TSSTcorp DVD+-RW TS-H553A

Audio
USB Audio Device
 
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Double44

Double44

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Hello friend, don't worry about it.. I haven't bought anything yet :) I've been comparing your recommendation with other options, trying to understand their differences. I'm not sure I totally understand.

From my understanding, it seems the main things to consider in a graphics card are CPU, power supply, and slot type. I noticed that some of these cards don't need external PSU power, I'm definitely interested in that. In hindsight, I would rather not have a powerful card that will be bottlenecked by the old CPU.. that would really be a waste.

The cost of these cards are also pretty expensive, something under $100 would be a little more reasonable. At $150-200, I might as well put that towards a new computer.. but i can't afford that either.
 
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Double44

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I'm thinking the 750 would make a good investment. Even if I can't use all of it, it might come in handy later on. I found a low profile manufacturer refurb version on ebay for 110$.. may go with that. Thank you for your help! :D
 
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clutchc

clutchc

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Be sure it is single slot, not double slot.
 
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BFG-9000

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Those low-profile cards are double-slot width but only on the heatsink. The only rare single-slot 750Tis I've ever heard of are from Elsa in Japan and Galaxy in Europe (Google for pictures).

I wouldn't worry too much about bottlenecking. The 750Ti is about as fast as the contemporary video cards of the time like the GTX 260 and HD4890, only using around 100w less power! And of course adds DX12.
 
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clutchc

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No. Low profile means it is a half-height card that will fit small form factor PCs. Link us to the exact card you are considering.
 
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Double44

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I just read that Low Profile cards don't exactly mean 'half height'.. so what exactly does Low Profile mean, and what's the difference between it and 'Low Profile Ready'? What does my system take?
 
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Double44

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I learned that Low Profile means the card itself is smaller in width.. and as far as I know, there is only one single slot card like this in the 750 ti. Honestly I think this card will be perfect for me. It uses low power which is ideal for my power supply, and is probably quieter than most other cards too. I think I'm finally gonna take the plunge.
 
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clutchc

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Low profile does indeed mean half height. Cards come in full height and half height. Full height for conventional desktops and half Height for small form factor PCs.

Yes, that card is a bit too wide due to the fan shroud. But you always have the option of modding the shroud to clear the board's components. A bit of a job if you aren't handy that way, tho. That's the problem with that line of Dell PCs.

If you want to try something a bit different..
They make PCIe x16 risers that you can use to go between the PCIe x16 slot and the gfx card. But you'd have to lay the card in the case and snake the video cable in thru an open expansion slot.
Example: https://www.amazon.com/Express-Riser-Extend-Speed-Cable/dp/B00Y0NIL72
 
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Double44

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Well I could cut into the card with a dremmel tool, but it might void a possible warranty, and I may have to cut as far as the first fan. The height of the GTX 750 ti is 1.50".. I'm missing by only 0.25".. a huge disappointment too, cuz everywhere I look for alternatives, everyone is talking about the GTX 750.

I was looking into the risers earlier, but the reviews on them are kinda low? I'm a little concerned about whether they would reduce the quality or become a fire hazard. I would lose the added benefit of the CPU fan if I sat it in the case. It would need to be pretty long too.

The alternative gpus I've looked at either don't have single slot, are missing vga input, are too tall, or too long. None of them indicate whether they need external power supply.

There's also the issue of PCI-e versions, I think my Dell only has PCI-e 1.0, but I've read that the cards are backwards compatible. I was looking at the following card, but one of the 'critical' reviews mention that it only accepts 3.0: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121799

I looked at the ELSA that BFG-9000 mentioned, but its too long.. would run into the CPU's heatsink.
 
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clutchc

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The card's height is not an issue. I don't know what measurements you are going by, but there is no full height card that is too tall for a Dell Dimension E520 mini tower. Or any other mini tower. (I'm assuming you have the mini tower and not the desktop)

The height of the card is fine. The only issue you have is the shroud width. And yes, modding the card will automatically void the card's warranty. But that is a chance you take.
 
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Double44

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Can't afford new PC. This PC is an old friend, I would like to pour some new life into it. Before I got a new 1680x1050 monitor, I used to play Half-Life 1 on it and had a blast. The newer monitor slowed it down. I want to return to those times, and be able to run the RetroArch multi-emulator.

I mean height as in top to bottom (it's 1.50" tall), the measurement while sitting flat on a regular table, not while in the motherboard. The gpu won't fit the mobo, because there is only 1.25" of room between the PCI-e slot and the network/usb part above it.
 
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Double44

Double44

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Just an update, I finally decided on the ASUS Radeon R7 240. It fit my PC, now I just gotta turn it on :] As much as I wanted it, the GTX 750ti would not have fitted. I almost decided on risers, but they seem to be primarily for mining purposes only.
 
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