Dell Inspiron 530S card choices?

[ultimatefighter]

Hi all,
I am new here and i just bought an Inspiron 530S and it only has an Intel G33/G31 chipset with no dedicated graphics. It has the Duo Core E4500 @ 2.20 GHz, 3 GB RAM. Can you guys and gals direct me to a lower budget card for casual gaming? I don't want to have to replace anything. Just put it in and go.
Thanks!!!

 

[kpo6969]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000048+1069609641&Description=low+profile+video+cards&name=PCI+Express+x16

 

[ultimatefighter]

Thanks, I have already been looking at NewEgg. Problem is, i don't the best bang for the buck between all of them. Was thinking about this card...XFX PVT72SWANG GeForce 7200GS 512MB (256MB on board) 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Low Profile Ready Video Card. I am not a serious gamer, just want to be able to play a few games. Is there that much of a limiting factor between 64 bit and 128 bit?

 

[ultimatefighter]

Anybody else have any input?

 

[kpo6969]

Anybody else have any input?

"Is there that much of a limiting factor between 64 bit and 128 bit?"
Yes
1x memory interface (64)
or
2x memory interface (128)

 

[ultimatefighter]

Thanks for all the helpful info.

"Is there that much of a limiting factor between 64 bit and 128 bit?"
Yes
1x memory interface (64)
or
2x memory interface (128)

 

[IndigoMoss]

How much money are you really looking to spend is the most important factor. Once we get that down, we can tell you the best card for the amount you want to spend. A 7200GS will be better than your onboard card, but not by very much at all.

 

[navvara]

Hello,

I recently built a extreme low buget computer for a friend and although the parts were on the lower end of entry level the performance I gpt for $$ was darn right amazing.

What I got was a P4 631 processor, 1 Gb ddr2 some G31 asrock. generic mobo and a Palit 8500GT.

Everything worked and so far my friend can paly any game he wants to at decent settings (fifa, cs source, COD2, BF, NFS series).

So to answer your question, a 8500Gt should do just fine with your rig and for cheap too. Just take a look at these deals:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143104

Very good price after rebate and should deliver decent performance. This is the one I would recomend for your needs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127295

This comes closer to the one I bought for my friend. Still a good price after rebate and has about 30% more performance than the BFG.
At any rate these cards will give you dx10 compatibility (but don't expect any dx10 gaming performance) and should run dx9 games pretty well, and for around 50$

Moving up into the 50-100$ segment you could also consider some older gen video cards such as this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150185

But in reality this 70$ card fares just a little better than the overclocked 50$ MSI 8500GT.

Or perhaps the newer 8600GT which will run ANY game out there today (you'll play these games on medium though)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150229

This is basically an overclocked 8600GT with a good bundle and should serve you well.

All in all I'd say the 8500GT is the best card for your needs but if you need help determining the bang for the buck you could check the following resources:

http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=385&card2=514#

Here you can check the raw power of different GPU's and even factor in different clock speeds.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2007.html?modelx=33&model1=1066&model2=716&chart=318

A series of benchmarks to help you gauge the real life perfomance of differend GPU's.

Hope this helps.

 

[kpo6969]

So how many of these are low-profile cards that the OP requires?

 

[ultimatefighter]

Yes. See, the problem is, it has to be a low profile card for a slim case. So i have very few options. But, out of those options, I am wondering which will be the best for the buy?

Thanks for the replies!!!

 

[navvara]

If it has to be low profile (absolutely has to be low profile) then here are a few choices:

under 50$:

1. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102716

Half decent card for the $, decent GPU and fast(ish) ram. Dirt cheap too.

2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127299

Gives you DirectX10 support but is slower than the above.

Over 50:

3. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129076

Basically a beefed up version of no1 with more memory bandwidth...Twice the bandwidth isn't worth twice the price imo. Not to mention the fact that if you didn't absolutely have to buy low profile you could get a 8600GT or 2600XT for the money.

4. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103047

Same as 1 but is a bit slimmer if you have problems fitting the passive cooler.

All in all i'd say 1 is the best ''bang for the buck'' here but gaming performance will be submediocre. If you're looking for a bit, not a lot though, more oompf might I suggest option 3?

 

[kpo6969]

If you read the thread you would see I gave some of the same options in post # 2.
Now to clarify another statement:
"Not to mention the fact that if you didn't absolutely have to buy low profile you could get a 8600GT or 2600XT for the money."

8600GT
http://www.ncixus.com/products/26441/86GEF8HDFCXX/Galaxy%20Techology/

bracket (if needed)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814998301

 

[ultimatefighter]

OK. I went with this one......PNY VCG8400SXPB GeForce 8400GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Video Card - Hope this works out ok.

 

[ultimatefighter]

OK. I went with this one......PNY VCG8400SXPB GeForce 8400GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Video Card.

I just installed this card and it raised my gamining graphics in Vista from 3.3-4.4. Not bad in my book. Does anyone know how to overclock this?