The 8600GT from MSI will run perfectly, even OC'd on the standard dell c521 PSU, I bought one of them not long ago and I've never had any problems with it. It's borderline but it should be fine.
I went to my local Microcenter and upgraded my C521.
I got the Socket AM2 6000+ 3.1 Ghz Dual Core Processor, 4GB DDR2 Ram and a Geforce 9400GT 512MB Graphics and have no problems at all. The 9400Gt is a Low-Profile compatible but I had to buy the Lo-profile kit seprate. It comes with a VGA Extention for the graphics card to make everything fit up right and the little metal brackets that go in the back. Also got a DVI cable thats running my 24" widescreen LCD Monitor.
System runs great. I think Dell just Under-rates there Power Suply's...
My opinion is BUY THE GEFORCE 9400GT its 2x better than the 8400GS and has 1080p support.
Actually the specs i found was that we had a 305 Watt PSU. The 9400GT states it needs 300watts or greater but if you owned a company wouldn't you over state things like that just a little bit to cover your a** so you dont blow peoples systems up... Think about it.
(metaphore) I know im right at the edge of the cliff, But I stopped just in time so I dont fall. Now imma sit back and watch the sunrise.
I'm not big on PC Games but I do play Xbox 360 & PS3 Roms and play em on my computer. Plus I dont get the red ring of death on that crappy xbox lol!
I also have a C521 with roughly the same specs as mastermind (albeit I have the AM2 5000+ 2.6 Dual core), however I was looking to upgrade the graphics card to the Galaxy 9600GT.
While a few of you have had successes with these better cards (I know the OP got a 9600GT working successful from another thread and mastermind has a 9400GT) I am still concerned about the PSU.
Is there anywhere at all that sells better PSU's for the C521? I'm trawled the internet in vain, but found nothing so far.
If I had the money I'd go the full hog and build a brand new system, but I dont!
darkhalls,
Take the measurements of your psu, then do a google search for " TFX power supplies" ( without the quotes )
Thanks, I did a google search, but to be honest there really isnt that much to find... or at least I couldn't find anything. Is TFX a fairly old style of power supply? Ideally I want something more the 350-400W range.
For the first time yesterday i got the graphics lag from my Power Supply. So I went to my local computer store and bought a Thermaltake 430. I pulled out my old power Supply and the Thermaltake 430 "usally black in color" has wires long enought to where you can route them inside the computer. This is a option and for $40 honestly it solves your problem. It is seriously difficult to find a Tower to put the c521's motherboard into. Alot of them dont fit. Not to mention the heatsink/fan style blows thru the heatsink. Your first choice is what I just did. It's cheap and works. If you want to you could even put a big fan where the back of the old PS was. but i monitored Processor heat and it is fine. Or you can purchase a new motherboard/tower/PS and swap everything. It would only be worth it if your exsisting processor was the big boy Am2 6000+... But for $40 just make a external Powersupply.
The Thermaltake 430 has 430 watts and is so silent it doesnt sound like its on i had to look at the fan blades to believe it.
For the first time yesterday i got the graphics lag from my Power Supply. So I went to my local computer store and bought a Thermaltake 430. I pulled out my old power Supply and the Thermaltake 430 "usally black in color" has wires long enought to where you can route them inside the computer. This is a option and for $40 honestly it solves your problem. It is seriously difficult to find a Tower to put the c521's motherboard into. Alot of them dont fit. Not to mention the heatsink/fan style blows thru the heatsink. Your first choice is what I just did. It's cheap and works. If you want to you could even put a big fan where the back of the old PS was. but i monitored Processor heat and it is fine. Or you can purchase a new motherboard/tower/PS and swap everything. It would only be worth it if your exsisting processor was the big boy Am2 6000+... But for $40 just make a external Powersupply.
The Thermaltake 430 has 430 watts and is so silent it doesnt sound like its on i had to look at the fan blades to believe it.
Thanks for the info. Glad I didn't just rely on the standard 280w. Seems an external PSU is definitely the way to go and the cheapest option. I would be interested to see how you have mounted yours, if you wouldn't mind providing a picture. Its not something I've had to do before, so knowing how you did yours would be useful!
Well honestly I didnt mount it. I hate the fact the they make peope put the tower standing up and to insert disc's you have to hold em sideways. Major Pain in the ass. So I sat it horizontal... Works better that way...
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