What are my options?

[amwilcut]

Hello I have a Dell XPS 410 with Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz, 4gb of ram, windows 7 64-bit OS, 375 watt PSU and a Nvidia 7900GS. I am looking to upgrade my video card to the best one my psu can handle. Just looking for a few ideas. One of my friends told me the GeForce 220 GT 1gb DDR3 was a good one. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[shubham1401]

GT 220 is a weak card.
Assuming that you have a quality 375w PSU I would suggest a HD5750/HD5770.
They are the best cards your PSU can take.

For 100$ HD4770 is also an appealing card.

 

[shubham1401]

BTW mention your budget and your monitors native resolution ...

 

[hell_storm2004]

Somehow i dont trust these OEM PSU's. Upgrade your PSU and your GPU both. Is it possible with the budget you have in mind?

 

[amwilcut]

Probably around $100. My resolution is set at 1280x1024. Do you want to know the input or the output for my psu?

 

[amwilcut]

My budget is $100 bucks for now. Im not a hardcore gamer. I like playing mass effect, fallout 3, dragon age origins. Stuff like that.

 

[hell_storm2004]

That would not help much! But go ahead, post them. Coz the reliability of these OEM PSU's are in question not their rating! Cooler Master Extreme editions have very decent ratings, but are bombs just waiting to explode. If you can get a CX400W that would be great. Along with that sub $100 card would be:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130530
Your current PSU will be able to handle it, but not sure for how long!

 

[amwilcut]

Yea I wish I would have thought about it before buying this computer. Not many choices with a 375 watt psu. Wish I could afford a new psu.

 

[hell_storm2004]

Do one thing... get the GPU now. Save some and get a PSU later. I don't think Dell gives the option of choosing a custom PSU in their builds. So don't blame yourself. So had no choice other than taking what came with it.

 

[amwilcut]

Sounds good. Thank you

 

[shubham1401]

Dell PSU's are not that bad.

Well...A Hd 4770 is the best you can get for $100.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102853&cm_re=HD_4770-_-14-102-853-_-Product

It is a power efficient card.

 

[amwilcut]

It says 450 watt min. Mine has 375. Will that be ok?

 

[shubham1401]

Yes..It will be OK.

It doesn't need much power.

 

[4745454b]

The Dell 375 is a good PSU. 30A available on the 12V rail. I agree with the first suggestion, get a 4870/90 or a 5770/50. Nvidia equivalent is also ok if you find one for the right price.

 

[shubham1401]

^That info would be useful.
30A means good PSU.
But where do u find those cards for 100$?

 

[4745454b]

Missed that. I was listing the upper edge of what I'd put on the dell 375W. The 4850 is around $100, shouldn't have any problems running that card.

 

[shubham1401]

^Can it take 4890?

 

[4745454b]

Not 100% sure about that. The 4890 is nothing more then a volt modded 4870. Because of the voltmodding it probably sucks alot more juice then the 4870. How much more I'm not sure. It would probably be one of those use it for now but upgrade the PSU as soon as you can cases if it were me.

 

[fulle]

The 5770's specs recommend a 500W PSU and at least " 40 Amps available on the +12 volts rails", and the 4890 pulls a little more juice. Considering some people with XPS 410s had instability with the lower power requirements of an 8800GT, it'd be pretty safe to assume that a PSU upgrade is needed for a 4850, let alone a 4890. Sorry dude...

The good news is that a new PSU will only run you about 50 bucks.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Probably around $100. My resolution is set at 1280x1024. Do you want to know the input or the output for my psu?

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-310-5970,2491.html

Here's the "winners" from THG's latest (December) GFX Roundup
Best Graphics Cards For The Money: December '09


$50 - HD 4650
$65 - HD 4670 / 9600 GSO
$85 - 9600 GT
$95 - 9600 GT / HD 4830
$110 - GTS 250 512 MB
$120 - GTS 250 1 GB
$155 - HD 5770 / GTX 260
$200 - HD 4890
$240 - 2 x GTS 250
$310 - No winner (HD 5850 Honorable Mention)
$330 - 2 x GTX 260 / 2 x HD 5770
$400 - 2 x HD 4890
$410 - No winner (HD 5870 Honorable Mention)
$465 - No winner (GTX 295 Honorable Mention)
$625 - No winner (HD 5970 Honorable Mention)

 

[delluser1]

Considering some people with XPS 410s had instability with the lower power requirements of an 8800GT

They did ?
The machine was sold with the 8800GTX as an upgrade option ( using the stock psu and a pcie Y connector ), can't imagine a GT causing instability.
My nephew has mine now, it's been running an overclocked 8800GTS 640 on the stock psu for 3 years.

 

[4745454b]

I was going to say system instability with which PSU? I could see the 275W having issues with a hungry P4 and an 8800GT. But the Dell 375W is a really good PSU. If they had system problems, I doubt it was PSU related.

 

[Kithzaru]

I would have to vote for the 4770. If all you're going to run is 1280x1024 then the 4770 will be a nice performer for you. Also, since the topic of PSU is in question, the 4770 is the least power hungry of the cards mentioned.

Great performance at your resolution, with the lowest requirement for power. Win and win.

 

[amwilcut]

Thanks everyone. I will be going to Best Buy today to see what I can find.

 

[amwilcut]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/XFX+-+ATI+Radeon+HD+4770+512MB+DDR5+PCI+Express+Graphics+Card/9647915.p?id=1218136767267&skuId=9647915

Would that be ok? Requires 450 watt psu though.