Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Nvidia > Video Card Upgrade for Dell Dimension 8400
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steve303   04-09-2008 at 05:41:46 PM

I would like to upgrade my current ATI Radeon x800 xt video card, I believe it is using PCI-E slot with 350 watt power supply. I have Dell Dimension 8400.
I was recommended by Dell to upgrade to Nvidia 8800 GT since it only requires 425 power supply and existing 350watt should be able to handle it.

1)is that the best video card I can upgrade to for 3d gaming?
2)I have seen some 8800 GTs on Newegg over clocked to 700MHz Core speed, do they require more power is it safer for me to go with regular 600Mhz?

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Delluser1   04-10-2008 at 01:49:29 AM
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steve303 wrote :

I would like to upgrade my current ATI Radeon x800 xt video card, I believe it is using PCI-E slot with 350 watt power supply. I have Dell Dimension 8400.
I was recommended by Dell to upgrade to Nvidia 8800 GT since it only requires 425 power supply and existing 350watt should be able to handle it.

1)is that the best video card I can upgrade to for 3d gaming?
2)I have seen some 8800 GTs on Newegg over clocked to 700MHz Core speed, do they require more power is it safer for me to go with regular 600Mhz?



1) Without upgrading the psu, the GT is about as far as you should go.
2) Buy the stock clocked card and overclock yourself.

------------------------------ q9650 @ 4.050 | Asus Rampage Formula | 2x2 & 2x1 Corsair Dominators | WD Black 640 x2
EVGA GTX260 Core216 @ 686/1479/1103 | Antec TPN 750

 

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thecompukid   04-10-2008 at 02:22:52 AM
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Get the 9600GT or an HD3870

------------------------------ Q6600 G0 @3.6 1.34v | GTX280 1GB | 26" Samsung T260| 19" 1907FP | Asus Maximus Formula X38 (Rampage Mod) | Kandalf VD4000 LCS | Ultra X2 750W | Supreme FXII 7.1 | Audio FX Pro 5.1 Headset | 4x1024 Ballistix Tracer 5-5-5-14 1066mhz | LG GGW-H20L
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badz   04-10-2008 at 02:24:53 AM
- 0 +

steve303 wrote :

I would like to upgrade my current ATI Radeon x800 xt video card, I believe it is using PCI-E slot with 350 watt power supply. I have Dell Dimension 8400.
I was recommended by Dell to upgrade to Nvidia 8800 GT since it only requires 425 power supply and existing 350watt should be able to handle it.

1)is that the best video card I can upgrade to for 3d gaming?
2)I have seen some 8800 GTs on Newegg over clocked to 700MHz Core speed, do they require more power is it safer for me to go with regular 600Mhz?




8800GTS will work fine in that
8800GT's are overheating nightmares I'd stay away from them and 9600GT is a waste of money

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127328


Message edited by badz on 04-10-2008 at 02:25:46 AM
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bildo123   04-10-2008 at 07:46:11 PM
- 0 +

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130333

 

Cheaper too. Same as GTS but this one OC better for roughly $100, if you want to spend $150 try the 9600GT if you want to spend $200 get the 8800GTS 512 (G92) which if you check the egg can get for $200 which is AWESOME.

 

Edit: Drop the 9600GT altogether as the 8800GS beats it for the most part and wherever the 9600GT would win, doesn't justify the extra cash. I would now say either spend $100ish on a 8800GS or $200 on 8800GTS

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Message edited by bildo123 on 04-10-2008 at 08:10:20 PM
------------------------------ The computer allows you to make mistakes faster than any other invention, with the possible exception of handguns and tequila- Mitch Ratcliffe
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Bronze Graphics badge jay2tall   04-10-2008 at 09:49:24 PM
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bildo123 wrote :


Edit: Drop the 9600GT altogether as the 8800GS beats it for the most part and wherever the 9600GT would win, doesn't justify the extra cash. I would now say either spend $100ish on a 8800GS or $200 on 8800GTS


I concur!

------------------------------ Big Brother Rules with an Iron Fist
 Reply to jay2tall
Frenchie   10-21-2008 at 02:38:55 PM
- 0 +

Hi

I have the same spec Dell Dimension 8400 as the o/p, can I install a 9800 GT and run it on this spec?

(I'm a noob at hardware and graphics cards so please go easy with the techie speak ;) )

Thanks :)

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bildo123   10-21-2008 at 05:17:46 PM
- 0 +

Frenchie wrote :

Hi

I have the same spec Dell Dimension 8400 as the o/p, can I install a 9800 GT and run it on this spec?

(I'm a noob at hardware and graphics cards so please go easy with the techie speak ;) )

Thanks :)



I believe the 9800GT actually IS a 8800GT, just named differently so the naming convention makes sense. So judging by that if they say a 8800GT will work then so should a 9800GT. Worse case scenario I just specd out a nice system for my buddy and found this VERY nice Antec Earthwatts 80+ PSU. 430W but it has two 12V rails, each about 17A (plenty enough as my 500W thermaltake only has 15A on the first rail and 14A on the second and all runs fine with similar specs)

[url]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371006[/url]



------------------------------ The computer allows you to make mistakes faster than any other invention, with the possible exception of handguns and tequila- Mitch Ratcliffe
 Reply to bildo123
Frenchie   10-23-2008 at 11:24:13 AM
- 0 +

Thanks very much, it's installed and working, and much better than the old one!!! It does say that the power supply is insufficient and therefore it has lowered performance but its still far better :)

Message quoted 1 times
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Delluser1   10-23-2008 at 01:01:50 PM
- 0 +

Frenchie wrote :

It does say that the power supply is insufficient and therefore it has lowered performance


Is the power cable connected ?

------------------------------ q9650 @ 4.050 | Asus Rampage Formula | 2x2 & 2x1 Corsair Dominators | WD Black 640 x2
EVGA GTX260 Core216 @ 686/1479/1103 | Antec TPN 750

 

Reply to Delluser1

Frenchie   10-23-2008 at 01:07:14 PM
- 0 +

Doh, yeah I need to connect it, the old graphics card just went into the slot and that's what I did with this one, I wondered what that cable was for :??:
Thanks again :)

Reply to Frenchie
eswehr   12-20-2008 at 12:59:48 AM
- 0 +

Interesting. I just bought an 8600GT and I'm getting a boot error about it only being able to read at 1x instead of 16x...

No bios options to change and other people with a Dimension 8400 have had similar issues. What bios v. are you running? I have A09.

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