Need help Video card upgrade for Dell Dimension 8300

[lexluthor9]

I have old Dell Dimension 8300 with 305 watts power supply and AGP connections. I am only hoping to run 1 game running Company of Heros Gold Edition and the box says I need 256mb Nvidia Geforce 6800 series or better.
What is the BEST and second best card that will work that I still may be able to find. I have heard some info about cards that overheat. Does anyone have a recommendation that will allow me to work within these limitations?
Mark

 

[rolli59]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069609639&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Order=PRICE
These are all the agp cards available on newegg at this time. the best ones are HD3850 and hd4670 the question is will they run on your psu. You might want to look at HD4650, HD4550 or HD3650 Or even geforce 7600gs.

 

[noahjwhite]

Depending on your intended resolution any of the Above Cards should work. Here's a link benchmarking that game http://www.techspot.com/article/20-company-of-heroes-3d-performance/

 

[lexluthor9]

Depending on your intended resolution any of the Above Cards should work. Here's a link benchmarking that game http://www.techspot.com/article/20-company-of-heroes-3d-performance/

That link was VERY helpful, thank you.

 

[lexluthor9]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069609639&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Order=PRICE
These are all the agp cards available on newegg at this time. the best ones are HD3850 and hd4670 the question is will they run on your psu. You might want to look at HD4650, HD4550 or HD3650 Or even geforce 7600gs.

I would like to put a GeForce 7300GT in the machine but the box says that it needs a 450 watts minimum and I only have 305 watts power supply. Will the card run? Will it overheat? Do I need to really need to step down and find a card like a 6600GT that says 300 watts min on the box?

 

[rolli59]

I would like to put a GeForce 7300GT in the machine but the box says that it needs a 450 watts minimum and I only have 305 watts power supply. Will the card run? Will it overheat? Do I need to really need to step down and find a card like a 6600GT that says 300 watts min on the box?

I just looked at the power req on the 7600GS that was in the newegg link it states 350watt psu (that is generic psu) The dell 305 watt unit is a quality unit equal to many 350-400watts from some other manufacturers.
I would think that 7300GT was on par with the 7600GS on power consumption.

 

[lexluthor9]

I just looked at the power req on the 7600GS that was in the newegg link it states 350watt psu (that is generic psu) The dell 305 watt unit is a quality unit equal to many 350-400watts from some other manufacturers.
I would think that 7300GT was on par with the 7600GS on power consumption.

I heard that the 7300GT would be better than the 7600GS. What do you think. If they both draw the same power which is a better card?
Please look at this item and give me your opinion.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3092427&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs

The specs say it needs 350 watts, do you think it would be OK for me to run it in the 8300 with the Dell 305 Watt powersupply>
Mark

 

[rolli59]

I am sure it will run on your PSU. About the speed of it being faster than 7600GS was true for the 7300GT with DDR3 memory.

 

[lexluthor9]

I am sure it will run on your PSU. About the speed of it being faster than 7600GS was true for the 7300GT with DDR3 memory.

I found a steal on a new 7300gt with 512mb and DDR2, no you think I made the right selection?
At TigerDirect they said I should run a Calibration Software that they sell to make the card and everything run better, is that true or was I sold a bill of goods?
Mark

 

[C00lIT]

Stay clear of all the 6200's and SPECIALLY that FX5200 garbage.

COH is one hell of an amazing videogame and I hope you find yourself a good videocard to enjoy the game.

COH is demanding of the CPU so I just hope you have at least 2.8Ghz HT or 3.0Ghz HT with a bare minimum of 1024MB of ram.

I have a spare SKT754 Athlon3400+ tower with a Radeon850XT... It runs fairly well but longer loading and reduced graphics.

I recommend a RadeonX1650 512MB, Radeon3650 512MB to a Radeon4650...
A 7300GT or an 8400GS will also work fine.

 

[rolli59]

I found a steal on a new 7300gt with 512mb and DDR2, no you think I made the right selection?
At TigerDirect they said I should run a Calibration Software that they sell to make the card and everything run better, is that true or was I sold a bill of goods?
Mark

Stay away from that calibration software! It is a way for them to make more money.

 

[jim928]

I bought an HIS 4670 agp to upgrade my dell 8300 and it wouldn't work w the existing 250W dell supply. I bought an Athena 550W from outlet pc ( http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:http://www.outletpc.com/c1020.html) for $75 plus shipping and it dropped right in and the card works fine now. I may have higher power reqmnts w 2 hd's and 2 cd/dvd burners ...that also required me to get a "Y" cable to get an extra molex power connector (needed 5 and had 4 plus the wires are a bit short). BTW, I've gone too far in upgrading this machine..should have built long ago and planning an i7-920 build soon.