Dell c521 Ugrade Help!-Desperate

single entendre

Distinguished
Apr 8, 2009
15
0
18,510
I've got a Dell c521 and I wanted to upgrade a few things.
I wanted to upgrade my video card, but i found out that my power supply is about 280 watts or something like that.
I want:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150322

But there is a 350 watt min on it.

Is there anyway i can upgrade my power supply?
Also, would you suggest any other video card, I dont want to spend over $80 on it.

Another thing, i really want to upgrade my RAM, the motherboard has four slots, but i dont know what it will accept, i also dont know how much each slot will take(max of 4gb), 1gig in each or 2 in 2...HELP.... I believe it is DDR2 but im not sure, there are 2 different types.
 

r_manic

Administrator
Hey Single, welcome!

AFAIK, the C521 only uses ATI video cards, so I don't think your NVIDIA card can fit. Regarding the RAM, I'm assuming that the 4GB max is only possible by sticking in 1GB DDR2 stick into each slot.

Honestly, upgrading your current PC to levels you want sounds like too much trouble. I really think you're better off starting from scratch.

C521 specs:
http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/dimen_c521?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh
 

Axeon

Distinguished
Apr 2, 2009
253
0
18,780
^ Not entirely true! I have a Dell C521 and I have upgraded it beautifully! Yes the 9500GT will fit and work with the 280W PSU, they're really underated from peak watts. There is also a GeForce 9600GT made by two companies Galaxy Tech and Sparkle. Your slots accept DDR2 533Mhz and 667Mhz, but i think it could also work with normal 800Mhz RAM, alot of people have got it to work. Max capacity is 4GB.If you want there is a Thermaltake 430 PSU that you can put externally outside your case if you want.

Vid. Card Choices:
GeForce 8400GS
ATI HD3450
GeForce 9400GT
GeForce 9500GT
GeForce 9600GT

Make sure whatever card you buy is low profile and PCI-e 16x. 1.0/2.0

PS: If you have anymore questions feel free to ask!
 

single entendre

Distinguished
Apr 8, 2009
15
0
18,510
Thanks so much, Axeon, I ordered before anyone replied because i was anxious-probably a bad idea but heres what i ordered.

1 x ($59.99) VGA XFX PVT94GZAFG 9400GT 1G DR2 R - Retail
$59.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150353

1 x ($54.99) CPU AMD|A64 X2 5200 2.7G AM2 65N R - Retail
$54.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103210

1 x ($40.99) PSU TT | W0070RUC 430W RTL - Retail
$40.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

1 x ($26.99) MEM 1Gx2|A-DATA ADQVE1A16K R - Retail
$26.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066

Will all this work?
 

ZereoX

Distinguished
May 4, 2009
45
0
18,530
Sorry to bump but I wanted to know if you (Single Entendre) successfully got everything working as I also have a C521 and would like to upgrade it.
 

single entendre

Distinguished
Apr 8, 2009
15
0
18,510
It worked great, however if you are looking to upgrade your processor, expect to chuck the provided heat sink out because there is no proper mounting area provided, and there is no vent on the side.

It runs pretty smooth and installation was quite simple ask for detail I suppose :D
 

ZereoX

Distinguished
May 4, 2009
45
0
18,530
Single Entendre- Since I also have to buy a new PSU, Graphic Card, Ram Sticks I want to know if it's really worth it or should I just buy a new PC to play games?

What are the highest games you can run? (Far Cry 2, Crysis, Supreme Commander)
 

single entendre

Distinguished
Apr 8, 2009
15
0
18,510
I was thinking about buying a new PC but my budget was around 200 and it was all i could get. If i had about 500 or 600 upgrading would be no problem but you need to count everything.

For instance:
Mobo: Around $100
CPU: $50-$150
RAM: 4gigs= $60
Case w/ power: $90
Hard Drive: About $50
Optical Drives: $30-$70 depending on what you want
OS: $200-Vista home premium- microsoft is dropping support for xp very soon
Dependable vid card: $100

Gaming PC: $680-$820
 


OS = $200?

Naw, at most, pay $100.
Or get yourself a free version from charitable sources online...
 

ZereoX

Distinguished
May 4, 2009
45
0
18,530


Thanks for the info but I can't seem to find a ATX motherboard that will support AMD Athlon 64 X2 and have a PCI Express 2.0 x16 on newegg.ca (I'm from Canada).
 


You don't need a PCI-e 2x16 since most video cards don't use all that bandwidth. PCI-e 2x8 should be more than enough
 

sven878

Distinguished
May 3, 2009
16
0
18,510



His motherboard will recognize any ram regardless of speed. Should the Ram exceed the maximum speed indicated by the motherboard, the motherboard will automitcally downlock the ram to make it ocmpatible. For Example: If you stick a piece 800mhz ram in it will run at 667Mhz no matter what, thus buying this ram is useless considering ur motherboard. Also if you have a 32bit operating system i would not recommend 4 gigs of RAM. Windows XP 32bit will work best with a max of 3gigs.
 
G

Guest

Guest
yeah you are right if your using vista 32bit operating system it will not recognize 4gb of ram as i put it in it will only recognize 3gb.as for graphics cards i just put the galaxy 9600 gt low profile low power in mine and its works like a dream , also running the amd 6000+ so chuck them in the pc can handle it even on the little psu
 

macker7

Distinguished
Dec 23, 2009
3
0
18,510

 

TRENDING THREADS