New Computer - want to get card after purchase

Question: The computer I am looking to get has horrible video card choices. I want to buy my own card and install after purchase. The cheapest option is the integrated graphics setup...is there an issue buying that setup and then installing my own card? Is the motherboard different etc?
Other option is to choose the cheapest card vs. integrated.

thx
Jim

Depends.

Do you plan on gaming with this computer?

What will you use it for?

The E520 has a 305w 22 amp psu and will not fit a dual slot card.Try looking for a 410 at the Dell Outlet if you want to keep costs down

you can add a video card to the system, the 305w is not peak wattage, it is 22amps but not as good as the 375w in the 410 which is 29 amps, so you could probably get a 7600 or so in the system. maybe a 7900 but probably not more then that. the motherboard is the same

I would get the E6300 and 7900GS. Best bang for your buck at the moment. Otherwise, you risk too much going with the E520. It may not have a PCI-E slot with integrated and upgrades are limited with that PSU. Check the outlet again. I swear I saw a 410 with an E6300 and 7900GS and a good HDD for like 800 bucks. Came with VISTA. It only had 1 gig of RAM but you could upgrade that yourself for less than what Dell wants. My 2 cents.

Which PSU supports the GTX? The 410, yes. The E520 only has 22 amps which is well short of the 28 needed for a GTX. What I was saying is that the E520 is the more limiting of the two. Yes, you are correct. Any outside upgrades will not be covered and will in fact void the warranty.

thanks Guys

I am going to check the outlet more closely first...then look new again.

I have never bought more than Dell's 1 year warranty as I find even it is lacking. If something is going to go dead, it will do it soon. Besides, you have to talk to Dell support a dozen times before they are willing to do anything.

Any recommendations of other smaller computer manufacturers that offer good systems at good prices? The other typical ones seemed much more $$$. Some had a HUGE array of options...like 20 different mother board choices...!

Jim

You better talk to the sales rep and get a 600-750 watt power supply ! And a dual video card motherboard ! The processor can be upgraded later as they drop in price . And for god's sakes don't buy a non-directx 10 video card at any price ! Surely don't pay that fortune for crossfired dual non dx10 cards . They'll be completely obsolete in 9 months to a year maximum. Get minumum ram and upgrade to 3 gigs at newegg ..... remember vista won't recgnize or use over 3 gigs ! NO MATTER WHAT YOU TRY OR ANYONE TELLS YOU it won't recognize over 3 or use it . Plus buy a Gateway instead of a dell ! Take the discount for getting integrated and put it towards a video card you install . Don't get those factory installed non-directx video cards !