Help with a Dell xps 400

[Buffalobob15]

Hi there


Im rather new, but I was wondering if I could get some help with upgrading my video card. I have a dell xps 400, and It has a Nvidia 7300 LE in it. Im looking to put a Nvidia 8800GT in it. My question is, can the PSU in it hold it? I asked dell, they didnt help much. I tried another forum, thye narrowed it down a little for me, but didn't quite work. Im about 90% sure its a ATX (what ever atx is ) 375W PSU, and I have come a conclusion... I want to run my games on half decent settings without lagging.

I also need to upgrade my ram.... but I can do that later when I get some more money.

 

[Onus]

How many amps does it have on its +12V rail(s)? I suspect that without a PSU upgrade, the best you could do safely is put an 8600GTS in it for a big jump over the 7300LE. What games do you want to play, and at what resolution?

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Buffalobob15]

I would like to play Brothers in arms, hells highway when It comes out on descent settings. To be honest, I have no idea how to check the amps... All I see is DC output :375 W

 

[Onus]

There should be a label on the PSU describing the rails and amperage. It may be a little table, or just text, listing various voltages and their outputs. Voltages should include +3.3V, +5V, +12V, and -12V. There may also be -5V and +5VSB. Unlikely on a 375W PSU, the +12V may instead be +12V1 and +12V2.

 

[delluser1]

30 amps combined on the +12v rails, it'll handle an 8800 GT no problem.

 

[Buffalobob15]

Hmm found it (I think)

I see
input 100-120V
Output +5v
Edit
I found apicture on google of the same one I have. Except mines
P/N: PS-6371-1DF-LF ||||| DC Output: 375W

 

[Onus]

That label says 264W on the combined rails, which is only 22A. If yours is a different model, then you may be ok, but this one wouldn't be enough.

 

[delluser1]

That's a photo of Dell's 305 watt psu, here's one of the 375w.
http://contrvlr.no-ip.org:12300/ussdirect/cb/375psu.jpg

 

[Onus]

Excellent, then that should be sufficient.

 

[Buffalobob15]

So it would be good with a 8800? Oh and 512 MB or the 256? GT or GTS?

 

[fugben]

Might not be stable. Dell quality is laughable and overpriced

 

[delluser1]

Many who have the same machine use an 8800 GTS 640, anything less would work.

 

[stove]

I put an XFX 8800gt 512 overclock in my old ladie's xps 400..... no problems since November 07.

Enjoy.....

 

[jzsang]

A few things:

1) The 8800 GT upgrade should work.

2) If you are going to get the 8800 GT, do not get the 256 MB version. The 512 MB version is notably better.

3) If I may ask, what kind of processor do you have? Most XPS 400s seem to have Pentium Ds. The reason why I am asking is simply because a 8800 GT and a low or even middle/high range Pentium D might not be the best combination. In other words, a weak processor might significantly prevent you from tapping into the 8800 GT's true power. If this is the case, something cheaper, but still reasonably powerful (like a 9600 GSO or HD 3850), might be a better option.

Sorry about jumping the gun a bit, I am just trying to prevent any future disappointment.

 

[Buffalobob15]

Intel (R) Pentium (R) D CPU 2.80 GHz (2 CPUs)

Just copying from what it says under dxdiag.

 

[jzsang]

Unless you plan on eventually upgrading your processor, you might want to go with a slightly weaker card...

Read these:

http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.asp?m=190012

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/246378-28-crysis-pentium-pentium

http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/594568 (Note: HD 3850 < 8800 GT)

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/237052-28-pentium-8800gts

Note: Because you presumably own an XPS 400 powered by a Dell motherboard, the only processor you could upgrade to without changing your motherboard and case (and possibly power supply) would be another Pentium D NOT a Core 2.

 

[wildman999]

I have a XPS 400 and the 8800GT Superclocked worked just fine and ran very stable.