Video card upgrade help!

I have a Dell xps 400, with a 375w psu. I would like to upgrade my card to play COD4. Any suggestions without upgrading my psu?

Message edited by wildman999 on 10-18-2007 at 02:26:54 AM

Reply to wildman999

Anyone?

Reply to wildman999

The biggest problem is that that unit only has 18amps on the +12v rail. That almost instantly limits the cards you can put into your system. What card is currently in that box of yours? COD4 doesn't seem to be all that demanding so you may be able to play it better than you think.

At best you could probably squeeze an 8600GTS into that system. A 7900GS would be next on the list, but they recommend 20 amps, so that might be stretching it a bit.

If you have the 375w Dell is has 30amps. The 305w Dell has 22amps. See link in my signature, 305w (old psu)

Message edited by kpo6969 on 10-19-2007 at 01:26:56 AM

------------------------------ EP45-UD3P Rev 1.1 bios F11c / E8400 @ 3.71Ghz @ 1.248v / OCZ Vendetta 2 /LGA775 Bolt-Thru / 4GB G.Skill 8800PI@1100mhz 3:4 @ 1.88v / Saphire 5700 Vapor-X l X-Fi Xtreme Music / Corsair HX520 / Antec Sonata III / Win7 x64 b. 7600.20796
Reply to kpo6969

Hmmmm, every image I saw showed a single +12v rail with only 18amps. Maybe the ones I saw were older models. If it is indeed 30 amps (no reason it wouldn't be) then you could get just about any card on the market for your system. I knew the 305 had 22 amps, I have one of those in my Dimension 4700. That kinda made me wonder about the numbers I was seeing.

The ATI cards on 65nm would be a lot more suitable, a lot less power consumption there.

2600xt should be fine on that PSU.

------------------------------ Na na na na na na na na HATMAN!
Reply to Hatman

I stand corrected. I went digging through the Dell forums after what kpo said and it looks like it has dual +12v rails w/ 18amps instead of the single that I had seen.

Message quoted 1 times

You got probs .... This is why many of us here do not recommend Dells, Compaqs, HPs, Emachines or any of the such... They are TOO proprietary and one way or another limit your ability to upgrade ... These machines were made for Dick or Jane to buy and plug in and play, Don't even think about opening the case ... In 3 years or so, spring for another whole PC.... If you want future proofing, build your own....Anything less than 450-550 W PSU these days limits you terribly... Not trying to be harsh here, but with what you have, It is what it is...... an open the box and plug and play machine ..

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to MAgrippa

MAgrippa wrote :

You got probs .... This is why many of us here do not recommend Dells, Compaqs, HPs, Emachines or any of the such... They are TOO proprietary and one way or another limit your ability to upgrade ... These machines were made for Dick or Jane to buy and plug in and play, Don't even think about opening the case ... In 3 years or so, spring for another whole PC.... If you want future proofing, build your own....Anything less than 450-550 W PSU these days limits you terribly... Not trying to be harsh here, but with what you have, It is what it is...... an open the box and plug and play machine ..

I know what I have, and what it is (and isn't).
There are many Dell models that can use a regular ATX psu, but you knew that, correct?
Plug and Play machine? I'm glad I don't listen to people that make blanket statements.
BTW: How to you become one of "us" with 13 posts and hide behind the "stranger" designation profile?
Things I've upgraded on my propriety box:
ram, gpu, cpu, psu, cd-r/dvd drive, sound card
Not trying to be harsh here, but deemed an appropriate response to your post, whoever you are (one of us?)

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by kpo6969 on 10-19-2007 at 07:22:45 AM

------------------------------ EP45-UD3P Rev 1.1 bios F11c / E8400 @ 3.71Ghz @ 1.248v / OCZ Vendetta 2 /LGA775 Bolt-Thru / 4GB G.Skill 8800PI@1100mhz 3:4 @ 1.88v / Saphire 5700 Vapor-X l X-Fi Xtreme Music / Corsair HX520 / Antec Sonata III / Win7 x64 b. 7600.20796
Reply to kpo6969

kpo6969 wrote :

I know what I have, and what it is (and isn't).
There are many Dell models that can use a regular ATX psu, but you knew that, correct?
Plug and Play machine? I'm glad I don't listen to people that make blanket statements.
BTW: How to you become one of "us" with 13 posts and hide behind the "stranger" designation profile?
Things I've upgraded on my propriety box:
ram, gpu, cpu, psu, cd-r/dvd drive, sound card
Not trying to be harsh here, but deemed an appropriate response to your post, whoever you are (one of us?)

Hey you only have the mobo, case, keyboard, mouse, etc. left. Your almost there!!

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ PSU Tiers
GPU Power
8800gtx w/e6600 OC'd will run on Antec 380w w/27A on 12v rail, PSU!!
Reply to lunyone

With 30A on the 12V rail, you should be good to go with just about anything out there, excluding SLI/CF setups. You will probably run into problems if you pick an 8800 or 2900, but thats due to the size of the card, not power requirements. Measure where your PCIe slot is, and see if it can take a good 12 inches. (sorry, couldn't figure out how to word that so it wasn't naughty...) If you've got 10inches, I believe you are good for the 8800GTS/2900. If you've got 12, then you can run the 8800GTX/ultra. (or the OEM version of the 2900.)

Whats your budget like, and what resolution will you be playing at? (if you aren't in the US, what video cards are available to you?)

Reply to 4745454b

lunyone wrote :

Hey you only have the mobo, case, keyboard, mouse, etc. left. Your almost there!!

I wouldn't be so sarcastic considering your set-up.
I bought a base system and changed-out or added those components. 19" FP, mouse, keyboard, and warranty included with system. All upgrade items under warranty also. If something goes wrong with system just put old parts back in and it's covered.
7300LE to 8600GT (for now)
1GB ram to 3GB
added optical drive (had 1 already)
added X-Fi Xtreme Music card for $45 brand new (also connected to front panel btw)
64x2 3800+ to 5000+
changed psu to 470w for a 8800GT (when released)

So flame me all you want, I'm not a kid. I remember playing Asteroids on my Atari 2600
I do the best with my limited budget

Message edited by kpo6969 on 10-19-2007 at 09:09:27 AM

------------------------------ EP45-UD3P Rev 1.1 bios F11c / E8400 @ 3.71Ghz @ 1.248v / OCZ Vendetta 2 /LGA775 Bolt-Thru / 4GB G.Skill 8800PI@1100mhz 3:4 @ 1.88v / Saphire 5700 Vapor-X l X-Fi Xtreme Music / Corsair HX520 / Antec Sonata III / Win7 x64 b. 7600.20796
Reply to kpo6969

Wasn't flaming on you, was just kidding around. I love that you and others have changed things out of the stock ones. I wasn't in any way trying to make fun of you or your situation. I think alot of people can learn from what you and others have done. I was just trying to point out that you had almost changed everything out, in a humorous way. Sorry if this offended you, I wasn't trying to do that.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to lunyone

lunyone wrote :

Wasn't flaming on you, was just kidding around. I love that you and others have changed things out of the stock ones. I wasn't in any way trying to make fun of you or your situation. I think alot of people can learn from what you and others have done. I was just trying to point out that you had almost changed everything out, in a humorous way. Sorry if this offended you, I wasn't trying to do that.

No problem. I'm just a little too anxious waiting for the 8800GT. That's the last thing I can do to this before my next system. What do you think?

http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php? [...] 0&Itemid=1

------------------------------ EP45-UD3P Rev 1.1 bios F11c / E8400 @ 3.71Ghz @ 1.248v / OCZ Vendetta 2 /LGA775 Bolt-Thru / 4GB G.Skill 8800PI@1100mhz 3:4 @ 1.88v / Saphire 5700 Vapor-X l X-Fi Xtreme Music / Corsair HX520 / Antec Sonata III / Win7 x64 b. 7600.20796
Reply to kpo6969

Wow! Nice to see something, not that it will or could be the final version, but none the least. I wonder if it's going to be 256bit, or is that 128bit?

Reply to lunyone

Looks to be. It was on the Foxconn website till Nvidia had it pulled? But the Fud has it on their site again.
256bit 512mb (1st) followed by 256mb

------------------------------ EP45-UD3P Rev 1.1 bios F11c / E8400 @ 3.71Ghz @ 1.248v / OCZ Vendetta 2 /LGA775 Bolt-Thru / 4GB G.Skill 8800PI@1100mhz 3:4 @ 1.88v / Saphire 5700 Vapor-X l X-Fi Xtreme Music / Corsair HX520 / Antec Sonata III / Win7 x64 b. 7600.20796
Reply to kpo6969

That could be a pretty nice midrange card (finally) between the 8600gts and the 8800gts. Hopefully the price will be in the $150-200 price range.

Reply to lunyone

Whatever benchmarks that were posted (correct or not) showed the card between the GTS and the GTX (8800 both). Again, no idea if that's true or not. We'll just have to do what we always do.........wait. :sarcastic:

lostandwandering wrote :

I stand corrected. I went digging through the Dell forums after what kpo said and it looks like it has dual +12v rails w/ 18amps instead of the single that I had seen.

Dual 12v rails? Heck, go for an X1950 PRO...

------------------------------ Cleeve
Hardware Editor, Tom's Hardware Guide
Reply to Cleeve

wait for rv670 or g92

Reply to decripple

For COD4, skip the GF7 series. Here is a look at how the higher end cards do in the demo. Note the 7900GT is clearly outmatched in COD4 by the X1950 pro despite the two being pretty on par overall. I wish the 8600's and HD2600's were tested. http://firingsquad.com/hardware/ca [...] /page3.asp

Reply to pauldh

Interesting how they use the newer X1950's against the older 7900GT. I wonder why they didn't use the 7950GT.

Message quoted 1 times

lostandwandering wrote :

Interesting how they use the newer X1950's against the older 7900GT. I wonder why they didn't use the 7950GT.

Too much competition?

Message edited by lunyone on 10-19-2007 at 09:23:07 PM

Reply to lunyone

More likely they just used what they had laying around. I'm thankful they at least included a GF7 for comparison. Based on the 7900GT performance, a 7950GT would have also lost to the X1950 pro also.

Reply to pauldh

The 7950 GT isn't much of a step up from the 7900.

Still, on average I'd say the 7950 GT is a bit better card than the X1950 PRO - but thew X1950 PRO is quite a bit cheaper last time I checked.

I wouldn't bother paying notably more for a 7950 GT.

------------------------------ Cleeve
Hardware Editor, Tom's Hardware Guide
Reply to Cleeve

Hey Cleeve, I am with ya that in general the 7950GT is a bit better than the X1950 pro, but in many newer games have you noticed it's looking like the trend is the X1950 pro is the better of the two. 3:1 architecture advantage maybe.

Unreal 3 is another example: http://www.legionhardware.com/docu [...] id=693&p=5

edit: or Anand's UT3 GPU showdown shows the X1950 pro beating not only the 7950GT, but the 7900GTX even:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] i=3128&p=4

Message edited by pauldh on 10-19-2007 at 11:25:10 PM

Reply to pauldh

Hmm I have a Dell E510 with a 305 watt psu. If I read the topic correctly, then I have dual +12v rails w/ 22amps?
Just want to make sure that I can upgrade to a 2950XT

Reply to aznstriker92

If you PSU is the same as his, then it has dual 18 amp 12 volt rails but a max combined 12v load of 264W (22 amps). 22 amps, is really too little for the X1950 series, GF8800 series, or HD2900 series out now. I'm guessing the 2950XT will be a no go for that PSU., but we will have to wait and see the specific models and their requirements. An 8600GTS, HD2600XT, or 7900GS would be about your max as of now.

Reply to pauldh

Dang thats sucks. I Don't know if I can upgrade the PSU because that voids the warranty. The 2950XT or HD3800 series should work as its on a 55nm. Don't you think so?

Reply to aznstriker92

personally, I'd buy an 8 series card. 8600GT would be nice.

------------------------------ Intel NWPD Employee. Hawthorn Farm Campus. Navy DEPer, Ship Date: 080122 (YY/MM/DD)
Reply to justinmcg67

If you are in no rush, then wait and see. It's possible. Maybe a lower clocked model HD2950pro will be fine on your PSU. If you want an upgrade sooner, You could always do a HD2600XT with the Valve black box now for $100 and sell the card later if a better one will work in your system. ATI recommends a minimum of a 400W PSU for that card, but that means little. Some 400W PSU's have only a single 18amp 12v rail.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to pauldh

HD29050's won't exsist. They announced it as HD3800 series. >.> At least that's what I was informed of. Do you know more perhaps on the new naming thing they got going on over at AMD??

------------------------------ Intel NWPD Employee. Hawthorn Farm Campus. Navy DEPer, Ship Date: 080122 (YY/MM/DD)
Reply to justinmcg67

Actually I do know about the naming scheme. the 2950xt is now the 3870 and the pro is the 3850

http://www.vr-zone.com/articles/RV [...] /5358.html

Reply to aznstriker92

pauldh wrote :

If you are in no rush, then wait and see. It's possible. Maybe a lower clocked model HD2950pro will be fine on your PSU. If you want an upgrade sooner, You could always do a HD2600XT with the Valve black box now for $100 and sell the card later if a better one will work in your system. ATI recommends a minimum of a 400W PSU for that card, but that means little. Some 400W PSU's have only a single 18amp 12v rail.

But the thing about the 2600XT that its weak. I need a performance card 200-250$ that will play games like crysis well. I could have gone with the 8800GT but I like ATI so RV670XT or PRO for me.
But does it matter, how high the RV670XT is clocked, for the it not to work on the PSU?
Lets say I buy the RV670PRO and then overclock it, then will my PSU die or something?

Reply to aznstriker92

anybody?

Reply to aznstriker92

It's not the clock speeds that are the issue. It's the size of the dye the card is on. The RV670 is supposed to be on a 55nm(?) dye, which means that it will be more power efficient. You will have to wait until they are released.

wait till the RV670 and see the requirements? is that what you mean?

Reply to aznstriker92

Yup. Just so you don't get your hopes up. It's hard to speculate on a card we know so little about.

Message edited by lostandwandering on 10-21-2007 at 03:26:58 AM

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