video card for Dell

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I just put Vista on a Dell Dimension 8400. I think the graphics would be better with a better video card. I don't know what is compatible with a 8400. Can anyone help? :?:

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7600gt $100. new PSU $40.

Reply to Wrick

Quote :

7600gt $100. new PSU $40.

Would the card and the PSU be separate items? What PSU would I get?

What is a PSU? Power supply?

Reply to me1303

Yes the PSU is the power supply. I would check and see if you have a single or dual +12v, I found this one available on ebay and purported to be a dimension 8400 dell power supply.

This one is a 350w dual-rail that can safely handle +12v@22A without a problem, and assuming a P4 550/1 x hdd/1x dvdrw/2 fans and the 7600gt upgrade I figure less than +12v@14A (the 7600gt is quite a miser)...

So if you have that PSU that would handle it no problem.

Reply to doolittle

Yes PSU stands for power supply. They will likely be seperate. Get a PSU > or = to 350W in your price range.

Google, Newegg, and Wikipedia will give you all the info your need.

Out of curiosity, you purchased and installed Vista yourself? Will Dell still supply tech support after you have installed an operating system that did not come with the system?

Reply to Wrick

Yes, I bought and installed Vista.

Don't know about their support. I don't use them anyway for support.

I can't understand people from India.

Reply to me1303

Quote :

7600gt $100. new PSU $40.

Dell uses propriety PSUs. You cannot simply buy a PSU from any place and expect it to fit in a Dell case.

Only PC Power & Cooling sells replacement Dell PSUs. They range from $80 for the 360w unit to $150 for the 470w unit.

http://www.pcpower.com/products/power_supplies/dell/

Reply to jaguarskx

Quote :

7600gt $100. new PSU $40.

Dell uses propriety PSUs. You cannot simply buy a PSU from any place and expect it to fit in a Dell case.

Only PC Power & Cooling sells replacement Dell PSUs. They range from $80 for the 360w unit to $150 for the 470w unit.

http://www.pcpower.com/products/power_supplies/dell/

The only difference between the Silencer line for Dell and a standard ATX 2.0 psu is the lack of a switch, *if someone is handy enough with tin snips, any psu of the right configuration will work.
The 350 watt psu that's in the 8400 will handle a card like the 7900 GT.

Reply to Delluser1

Would this be compatable?

PNY Verto GeForce 7900 GS 256MB PCI Express Graphics Card

Reply to me1303

The case will fit anything that does not belong to the recent hey-ive-got-an-even-longer-card-coming-up-trend.
Means that all GF 7 series should fit in there.

Reply to Ycon

he is right about the 7600 gt but dell has a nasty psu line. they advertise them at about 150 watts but they are really like 450 nasty man.
the slot is probaly pcie if you are asked tell them pcie(slot type)

nub tub

Reply to dortmund371

Quote :

he is right about the 7600 gt but dell has a nasty psu line. they advertise them at about 150 watts but they are really like 450 nasty man.
the slot is probaly pcie if you are asked tell them pcie(slot type)

nub tub

Are you saying a 150w is better than a 450w???

Reply to me1303

the 150 is dells way of about 350-400 watt. my friend has a 7600 gt oc with a dell 150 watt and it works great. what ever keep the dell power supply adn get the 7600 gt pcie x16. the case on dells are also custom so a retail power supply might not fit

Reply to dortmund371

Quote :

the 150 is dells way of about 350-400 watt. my friend has a 7600 gt oc with a dell 150 watt and it works great. what ever keep the dell power supply adn get the 7600 gt pcie x16. the case on dells are also custom so a retail power supply might not fit

Looks like it may be a new psu, new video card and a new monitor with dvi plugs. I'm not sure it is all worh it.

Reply to me1303

Quote :

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I just put Vista on a Dell Dimension 8400. I think the graphics would be better with a better video card. I don't know what is compatible with a 8400. Can anyone help? :?:

No offense but by looking at your posts this is an abortion waiting to happen. You need to spend some time learning on Tom's Forumz and elsewhere, before you attempt this upgrade, or you will surely render your Dell inoperable.

Reply to Zorg

Quote :

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I just put Vista on a Dell Dimension 8400. I think the graphics would be better with a better video card. I don't know what is compatible with a 8400. Can anyone help? :?:

No offense but by looking at your posts this is an abortion waiting to happen. You need to spend some time learning on Tom's Forumz and elsewhere, before you attempt this upgrade, or you will surely render your Dell inoperable.

I've learned enough through this post that it is not worth the effort. So either I build a machine to handle Vista or I purchase a new one.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Reply to me1303

Quote :

the 150 is dells way of about 350-400 watt. my friend has a 7600 gt oc with a dell 150 watt and it works great. what ever keep the dell power supply adn get the 7600 gt pcie x16. the case on dells are also custom so a retail power supply might not fit

Looks like it may be a new psu, new video card and a new monitor with dvi plugs. I'm not sure it is all worh it.

I don't think so. I upgraded my 4700's video card from an x300 to an x1300 with no issue. Also, you can get a DVI to VGA converter, and sometimes they come with the card.

Reply to belvdr

Agreed.

All you need is a 7600GT which is a very fine card for only $100.
There is no need for a new PSU for these cards.
They draw all of their power and do not use an external power connector like some of the real power monsters.

And yes, you can get a VGA adapter for the DVI and are often included.
I know my EVGA can with adapters, though I did not use them since my monitors are DVI.

Reply to zenmaster

Quote :

Agreed.

All you need is a 7600GT which is a very fine card for only $100.
There is no need for a new PSU for these cards.
They draw all of their power and do not use an external power connector like some of the real power monsters.

And yes, you can get a VGA adapter for the DVI and are often included.
I know my EVGA can with adapters, though I did not use them since my monitors are DVI.

Something like this?

EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

Chipset Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Core clock: 560MHz
D-SUB: 1
DirectX: DirectX 9
DVI: 1
Memory Clock: 1400MHz
Memory Interface: 128-bit
OpenGL: OpenGL 2.0
PixelPipelines: 12
TV-Out: HDTV / S-Video Out

Model #: 256-P2-N615-TX
Item #: N82E16814130062
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
In Stock

Reply to me1303

Something like this would work

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] icegrabber

and your psu has the 6 pin pcie connector that is required.

Reply to Delluser1

Quote :

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I just put Vista on a Dell Dimension 8400. I think the graphics would be better with a better video card. I don't know what is compatible with a 8400. Can anyone help? :?:

No offense but by looking at your posts this is an abortion waiting to happen. You need to spend some time learning on Tom's Forumz and elsewhere, before you attempt this upgrade, or you will surely render your Dell inoperable.

Yeah, PSU needs to be updated. I wouldn't trust the Dell one.

"Abortion waiting to happen" instant classic. Kudos to Zorg.

Reply to Howard_Stern

Quote :

7600gt $100. new PSU $40.

Dell uses propriety PSUs. You cannot simply buy a PSU from any place and expect it to fit in a Dell case.

Only PC Power & Cooling sells replacement Dell PSUs. They range from $80 for the 360w unit to $150 for the 470w unit.

http://www.pcpower.com/products/power_supplies/dell/

The only difference between the Silencer line for Dell and a standard ATX 2.0 psu is the lack of a switch, *if someone is handy enough with tin snips, any psu of the right configuration will work.
The 350 watt psu that's in the 8400 will handle a card like the 7900 GT.

(chuckles) I remember modding my dell 4550 with a dremel. The first time I've used one too! (would not recommend). Just make sure if you 'custom fit' your psu that you hammer any bumps inside the case to make it fit. I found that the dell cases can take quite a hammering, no warping whatsoever....Ahh fun times...

Reply to rabidbunny

Quote :

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just put Vista on a Dell Dimension 8400. I think the graphics would be better with a better video card. I don't know what is compatible with a 8400. Can anyone help? :?:

No offense but by looking at your posts this is an abortion waiting to happen. You need to spend some time learning on Tom's Forumz and elsewhere, before you attempt this upgrade, or you will surely render your Dell inoperable.

Yeah, PSU needs to be updated. I wouldn't trust the Dell one.

"Abortion waiting to happen" instant classic. Kudos to Zorg.

Before upgrading to another Dell my 8400 had a 512meg 7900 GTO in it, the psu won't be an issue.

Reply to Delluser1

now your talking, C2D E6400 read the oc'ing artical on Tom's.

Reply to harry_callahan

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