I have done some research on graphics cards and have found these 2 which look like a good fit. Which do you think would be better? Radeon X1650 PRO AGP or GeForce 7800 GS?
And I'm pretty sure they are compatible with my computer but I want to make sure.
I have:
DELL Dimension 4600
Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
2.25 GB RAM
Also, the card needs to have a VGA output and compatible with a 480 Watt power supply. (I don't know how much my computer uses out of that so I don't know how much is left for the card.)
SAPPHIRE 100219L Radeon HD 2600XT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 AGP 8X HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail
480 watts should be plenty. The hd 2600xt is new and die shrunk (65nm) so while it is as fast as the older 7800gt it uses less power. In fact my hd2600xt-PCIe does not even have an extra power connector, it gets all the power it needs from the mother board pcie slot. I'm not sure if the AGP version does this, checking......
OK the Sapphire 2600xt AGP does need extra power from a 6 pin connector but it includes an adapter to draw that power from the standard 4 pin PS connector. Anyhow this card is not a power hog and it is the best AGP card you can get for the money.
Message edited by lakedude on 11-25-2007 at 04:13:37 AM
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I wish everyone at my high school could be mature enough to talk PC hardware not just gaming. You're unique... just like everyone else.
Also, the card needs to have a VGA output and compatible with a 480 Watt power supply. (I don't know how much my computer uses out of that so I don't know how much is left for the card.)
yes, they make AGP versions. Look at www.newegg.com they usually have them in stock.
OK the card itself does not need 400watts, I'll look up the power draw in a minute but you have 480 watts and ATI says you only need 400 so you are fine unless something else on your system is a power hog (I'm almost 100% sure you will be fine but I'll look in a minute anyways)
The memory is not an issue at all. Like you were thinking the video card has its own memory that is completely independent of system memory. It is very common for video card memory to be much better/faster then system memory.
Does your MB support AGP 4 or 8x? and is there room for the card?
I'm guessing you are going to be OK because the card is fairly small, (unlike say an 8800GTX), and your system seems new enough to have at least AGP 4x.
Heck I'm not doing anything important, I'll look that stuff up too.....
....OK I checked. The Dell 4600 seems to have 8x slot so you are good to go. Mini tower so plenty of room as well.
Message edited by lakedude on 11-25-2007 at 03:58:39 AM
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ZipZoomFly and Frys also tend to have good prices.
If you end up being amazed at how fast NewEgg is and want to know how they do it ( or are just curious) check this out: