Graphics card for basic dell

[chocolatte]

HI, I have a very very basic dell desktop. I play a lot of counter strike and want to upgrade to counter strike: source and other games like cod and maybe lfd. I've been looking at cards to buy and have considered the geforce 9600gt and the 220gt. Does anyone know a better card at an acceptable price (im looking anywhere up to $100 USD) that is better, or which of the two i should buy? thanks

 

[Bluescreendeath]

PSU?

The GT220 is worthless.

What is your power supply? If it's equipped with the Dell300watt PSU, you can get a 4670 ($60) or 9600GT ($70) or even the 4770 (which consumes power than the 9600GT but slightly less than a 9800GT or 4830).

The 4770 costs around $100-$100ish, and performs slightly worse than a 4850 or 9800GTX/GTX+/GTS250.

The 5750 (performs equal to a 4850) also consumes very little power (equal to a 4670 due to new tech) but that costs around $130ish.

So:
300-305watt PSU: 4670, 9600GT, 4770
305-350watt PSU: 4830 ($90), 8800/9800GT ($90), 4770 ($100)
~400watt PSU: 4850 ($100)

 

[chocolatte]

I actually have no idea how to find the wattage, but I looked into the 9600gt a lot. Would it be my best bet?

 

[rolli59]

If your basic dell has a pci-express x16 slot this card is hard to beat on price /performance ratio http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121329 and it will run on your PSU