Inspiron 530s - Power Supply and Video Card, Need quick help!

[jrogcsu]

I ordered the inspiron 530s. I customized and made it the following specs:

Intel® Core™2 Duo processor E8400 (2MB L2, 3.0GHz, 1333 FSB)
4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 4DIMMs
320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™

It comes with a junky graphics card so I went ahead and ordered

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121293

I found out I needed a low profile graphics card, and I wanted one thats high end, best I could get for my money. So I picked the one above.

Low and behold, me being not too savvy with computers, I find out that the inspiron 530s supposedly can't support that much of a graphics card.....

So my question is can the power supply support it? I need to know so I can terminate my order before it ships later today. Help would be great.

thanks a bunch!!

 

[WR2]

Should not be a problem for that Dell power supply - it's not a very powerful video card.
For comparison with some other budget video cards look at this review: ATI 4350 vs Nv 9400GT

I suppose its too late to change the order on the Dell 530s?

 

[Jim_L9]

This one will be much faster: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162016

 

[WR2]

Low Profile 9600GT $95 after rebate
I think a 9600GT might have been a bit too power hungry for that system which is too bad.

It looks like you pay a premium price for the small size too. For $75 either a 4670 or 9600GT is available.

 

[jrogcsu]

Good news. I voided the order and am getting refunded in full.

The next question.. With the specs I gave, and the power supply the inspiron 530s comes with, which i believe is like 220-250 watts... what is the fastest/best for your money vide card I can get?

Are any of the following below any good?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121281

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150321

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143153

Is there better out there that I can get for around 75 bucks and that'll be ok on the PSU inspiron 530s comes with.

Thanks a bunch once again.

 

[Jim_L9]

There is a review with someone with a Dimension 521 running that 9600 GT card with a 280W power supply.

 

[Jim_L9]

According to this: http://www.motherboardpoint.com/t182073-how-large-of-a-power-supply-do-inspiron-530s-come-with.html they are 300W power supplies.

 

[Jim_L9]

If you want to play any decent PC games those card are weak by today's standards.

 

[WR2]

Dell 530s has a 250w power supply. A 9600GT might run - but I wouldn't be surprised if it didnt.
The power envelope for a 9600GT runs to 60watts.

Any of the 3 you listed should run on that 250W PSU.
The 4550 should be a touch more powerful but will probably disappoint you if you're buying it for gaming.

 

[jitpublisher]

Have your Dell upgraded to a 375 PSU.
Dell PSU's are under rated, the 375watt PSU supplies 18 and 17 amps on the 12 volt rails and pushes 30amps combined. Decent enough to run most any higher-mid range gaming card.
Then, get yourself a good graphic card. The ones you are looking at are quite underpowered. A 4830 would fit the bill nicely.

 

[delluser1]

Dell 530s has a 250w power supply. A 9600GT might run - but I wouldn't be surprised if it didnt.
The power envelope for a 9600GT runs to 60watts.

Needs the power adapter but would probably be fine.
I've got a 6 year old Dell ( P4-2.4 and RDRam ) with a 250 watt Dell psu and a Radeon 9800 (AGP with a floppy power connection [47 watts]), still running strong.

 

[delluser1]

Have your Dell upgraded to a 375 PSU.
Dell PSU's are under rated, the 375watt PSU supplies 18 and 17 amps on the 12 volt rails and pushes 30amps combined.

At 150mm W x 140mm D x 96mm H that won't fit the minitower , much less the SFF box.

 

[jrogcsu]

I don't really think I wanna dish out the extra money for a power supply and a top of the line video card.

Any other video cards out there that fit the 75 dollar or cheaper range and can run something like Neverwinter nights 2 at medium-high graphics? Or which of the three I listed would be best for gaming and compatible with 250 Watts

 

[jrogcsu]

How about this card?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102799

OBviously not top of the line, but seems solid from the reviews for the inspiron 530s and great for some of the older games like NWN2 and WOW.

 

[WR2]

8600GT $67 before $20 rebate and Low Profile Bracket Kit $7 looks to be a good option. Check the 530s comments on the video card @ NewEgg It's quite a bit better performer than the 4550.

 

[jrogcsu]

Any Video Cards you can find that come with the low profile bracket on it?

Sorry for coming off as picky. I just get the feeling I'd screw it up if I tried to change the bracket myself.

 

[yammez]

Hello,

I have this computer and bought a new video card for christmas and I can tell you from first-hand experience, the power supply in the 530s does not power the video card. It was this card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102800

The video card is fine. I tested it in my main machine and it works great, but the little power supply in the Dell isn't enough for it.

I just found this thread while searching for what kind of power supply the dell slim case uses, anyone know?

 

[delluser1]

Too many people who don't know the difference between a compatibility issue and a power problem.
Your 2400 Pro uses less than half the amount of power that the 3450 Dell is currently offering in the 530s.

 

[yammez]

Just so everyone knows, the power supply in the Dell 530s has a 250W MAX rating, I just took off the cover and looked.

Too many people who don't know the difference between a compatibility issue and a power problem.
Your 2400 Pro uses less than half the amount of power that the 3450 Dell is currently offering in the 530s.

How can you tell how much power the card uses? Can you tell by the specs, if so, what specs? What is the 3450 Dell?

My main rig is an older Dell Precision 380, so I just find it hard to believe there is a compatibility issue. The card works in a motherboard of the same brand from over 2 years ago, why would it not work in the newer model? They both have PCI Express x16.

BTW jrogcsu, WR2's recommendation of the XFX Low Profile Bracket kit is very good, that's the same one I bought. It comes with 3 different brackets that pretty much cover all of your bases.

 

[delluser1]

http://forums.atomicmpc.com.au/index.php?showtopic=264

ATI 3450

 

[yammez]

Well you were right

I tried using a spare 450W power supply (just left it outside of the case) and the card still didn't work. WTF DELL!