Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > ATI > Installing the ATI 4870 in a Dell XPS 410

Installing the ATI 4870 in a Dell XPS 410

Forum Graphic & Displays : ATI - Installing the ATI 4870 in a Dell XPS 410

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Selayan   09-03-2008 at 05:53:09 PM

Hey guys I have a dell xps 410 core 2 duo, 1.86ghz, 2gb ddr2 ram, and a 256mb geforce 7900gs. Now Im getting 2 more gb of ram soon and the new ATI 4870 card. But I opened up my case and saw that I only have one 6 pin connector, one free molex connector, and 2 free sata connectors. Now I was looking to get this card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814129113

Now I also found this adapter PCIE Y adapter : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6812201008

My dell power supply is 375w but I read on the forum that the 4870 can be used with the computer without problems. The card should pull as much power as the 8800gtx. And if I remember correctly, dell offered the 8800gtx with the original power supply at one time before the card was discontinued. I just don't know how they connected it? Can anyone help me out as I am trying to order it from newegg pretty soon.

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rodney_ws   09-03-2008 at 06:34:03 PM
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The NewEgg link you gave clearly says...

500 Watt or greater power supply with two 75W 6-pin PCI Express power connectors recommended (600 Watt and four 6-pin connectors for ATI CrossFireX technology in dual mode)

Me thinks you're going to have problems.

Reply to rodney_ws
rodney_ws   09-03-2008 at 06:35:28 PM
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And on top of that, your CPU will be holding back your GPU. I can't remember... does Dell allow overclocking on its XPS line? If so, that would go a long way towards eliminating your CPU as a major bottleneck.

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Selayan   09-03-2008 at 08:09:03 PM
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But I know of a person who seems to have one installed in the xps system and he says its running fine. I just don't know how it was connected. The 8800gtx was also offered with the xps 410 and stock Power supply. If its really not good to go with this card, then what card can I get? I always wanted a close top the line card but could never afford it but now I can and it seems like it can't be done?

Reply to Selayan
DXRick   09-03-2008 at 08:21:36 PM
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Well, according to this test total system power consumption is 203.7 - 278.6 watts. You may be OK.

Reply to DXRick
evongugg   09-03-2008 at 08:26:04 PM
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It all depends on how many amps you have on the 12v rails, unless you are willing to buy an upgraded power supply. Check with Dell if you can use a standard ATX power supply in that case.
Check the label of the power supply in the case for the amps on the 12v rails.

------------------------------ Google is your friend and Bob's your uncle
 Reply to evongugg
Selayan   09-03-2008 at 08:27:53 PM
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So if I decide to buy it, what connection adapter should I get? This is the only thing stopping me from ordering it right now. I don't know if the pci Y splitter does anything by providing another 6 pin connection because how is that adding any power or its not I guess. What would be the best thing to do?

Reply to Selayan
shortstuff_mt   09-03-2008 at 08:29:31 PM
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You could try the 4870 if you want, but I wouldn't recommend it. As rodney_ws said, the ATI specs call for a quality 500W or better PSU. Check this link for a list of certified PSU's: http://ati.amd.com/online/certifiedpsu/index.html

Reply to shortstuff_mt
Selayan   09-03-2008 at 08:38:47 PM
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Ah the dell power supplies have to be bought from dell I think because they are special. I never installed one so I really do not feel like changing one. Plus thats more money there too. I m afraid to try the 4870 because I can't just return it without paying a 15% restocking fee.

Reply to Selayan
alvine   09-03-2008 at 08:52:19 PM
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get a 4850 that requires single 6pin connector.......problem solved?! :D

Reply to alvine
Selayan   09-03-2008 at 09:25:17 PM
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Would the 4850 be able to play most my games on high resolution of 1680x1050 ? That's basically all I want. I usually play World in Conflict, Company of hereos, tomb raider, maybe some crysis if I feel like trying that out.

Reply to Selayan
MT22   01-10-2009 at 02:11:59 AM
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PC POWERCOOLING site sells upgraded POWER BLOCK for DELL model XPS 410. I am trying to upgrade it too tyring to buy a SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready card. which is a better card for $230 currently .
I am going to try it out with stock power supply. if not working well then will get this 500W supply( accoridng to them it gives 2x much power compare to Stokc 375W version. You might want to try this too. Let me know how yours fit in. larger blocks I hear wont fit into dell box, some bend the taps to fit in. like 600 or 700 units. I think 500W should be enough if you want this way. 410 seem to have really a limited option.
Or better wait until the TOXIC HD4870 will release soon, not sure when . 780/1000 (core/memory freq)will top the HD 4870X2 I heard


NEVER MIND. I just installed the NEW SAPPHIRE HD4870 IGB card to my stock XPS410 and its running fine. DELL supplied with two power connectors ( was already present, when opened up the case. so it was plug and play.) only thing was that blue plastic video card securing braket was unable to close ( due to larger size of this new card so I took it out)
other then that it was simple. I let the computer running. two video screen with two HD movies simultaneously. seem to run fine. ( I am not a intensely into game etc casual user)

Compare to my older card GPU-Z indicate its about 25-20 c hotter at normal idling temperature. bout 59-60 when CPU was turned on left it on for about 4 hrs still runs at that temperature. GPU fan at 1330 rpm.(35%) running.

I have stock Quad 2.4 ghz CPU with 4 GIG ram. 500 HD. And have 30 " dell stock LCD monitor, which this card will run. New video card cost about 230.


Message edited by MT22 on 01-14-2009 at 10:55:57 PM
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