Budget Graphics for Vista/Linux

[notwen]

I recently purchased a Dell Inspiron 530, was able to get a pretty good deal by stacking my EPP discount along w/ a online coupon. Whole purpose of this machine was to mainly play WoW w/ a buddy of mine who recently took a job out of the country. I know WoW doesn't have extreme requirements, but I am currently playing WoW on a Inspiron 1420 laptop that uses the same integrated Intel X3100 chipset as the Inspiron 530 and would like to get a solid, yet affordable graphics card. My budget is around $100 USD give or take(willing to spend a little more, if performance is worth it). In doing this I have two concerns, one I will also be dual-booting Linux(Ubuntu or Debian) and two the power supply in the Inspiron 530 is ither a 300 or 375W. I'm wanting to ensure I'll be able to run WoW(and other fairly new games) relatively well and also have no stability issues using the same card under Linux. Just looking for some recommendations that will do this and hopefully not require a new PSU, although I could do that down the road as well if needed.

Here are the specs:

Inspiron 530 Intel Core2 processor Q6600 (2.40Ghz 1066FSB) w/Quad Core Technology and 8MB cache
3GB DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz
Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
500GB Serial ATA II Hard Drive(7200RPM)
Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 Home Premium Edition, English
Integrated NIC card
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
Integrated Audio
Internal PCI 802.11g wireless network card,Full Height

Thanks for any advice/opinions you can toss my way. =]

 

[LordOfTheGeeks]

the main issue is the power supply it limits your choice quite a bit i would recommend the 9500gt only require 300w anything more and u need more power. the 9500gt will be fine for WOW Definatly better then intergrated but you will strugle with alot of games on high settings. 8500gt is your only choice for your psu. other then that its a pretty solid system

 

[LordOfTheGeeks]

Opps forgot to tell you GET THE DDR3 VERSION this very importent for performance

 

[tenaciousleydead]

open the case, if its a 375 watt then get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127383 , if not then go with LOTG's suggestion.

 

[notwen]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I should be getting the new machine this weekend, so I'll keep this post updated.

 

[notwen]

If what I read here is accurate, then perhaps a new PSU might not be necessary(Note the compatibility note). Also some people here saying they've had success off a similar spec'd Inspiron 530 using the factory PSU w/ a new GPU. Now the waiting game to open it up and verify which PSU my unit came w/. =]

 

[coozie7]

+1 for the HD4670, it`s close to the 9600 gso/gt in performance but needs no extra power connector, so it should run quite happily off a 300W PSU.

 

[daskrabbe]

Nvidia still has by far the best linux support, so I'd go with 9600 gt.
Unless it is an insanely crappy psu, you should not have any power problems, even if it is 300 watts.

 

[daskrabbe]

Power Consumption for a 9600 gt(entire system):
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nvidia-geforce-9600-gt,1780-18.html

 

[daskrabbe]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127333
Theres a mail-in rebate that takes it down to 69.99$.

 

[notwen]

Arrived yesterday and it turns out it has a 350watt liteon psu. Gonna hold out till after the holidays and scope out my options. Thanks for all your input. =]

 

[rangers]

Nvidia still has by far the best linux support, so I'd go with 9600 gt.
Unless it is an insanely crappy psu, you should not have any power problems, even if it is 300 watts.

get your facts right b4 you open your mouth, in the past that was true but not now, go take a look round the Internet