Widescreen video card for Dell Dim 4700?

HD5450.

According to the dell support site that machine has a Intel 915G chipset. It uses a GMA 900 graphics adapter. According to the Intel web site the GMA 900 has a max resolution of 2048x1536 @ 85Hz.

It is possible that you are only shown 4:3 ratio resolutions because that is the type of display you have connected.

Try connecting a larger display for testing purposes.

Or go with shadow187's answer if you must have a new card. That machine does have a single PCIex16 port. If it as available then that card will work.

Great, thanks for an actual card suggestion. Could you help further and point me to a spec sheet for this which actually lists the display modes and resolutions? Not just the "max res" but ALL display res's? That would be super helpful.

No, the Dell Dimension 4700 uses the 910GL chipset, not the 915G. It supports 4:3 aspect ratio displays ONLY. I'm not surprised Dell's support site is wrong - it wouldn't be the 1st! Guess I still need card suggestions, and will start with shadow187's suggestion.

FYI: The monitor I am trying with it is a 20" widescreen LG W2053TX. Its stated optimal resolution is 1600 x 900. When I turn the Dell on, the monitor pops a firmware note up saying i should really change my res to that.

In the Displays control panel, my monitor choices are the generic/default plug-n-play monitor and, yes, the LG is listed right there as choice 2. It is properly identified and everything - woot. I pick it. I go to the settings panel. It lists only 4:3 aspect ratio options. Advanced settings tabs within that Cp do not have options for widescreen anything.

http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-rad...

See my reply in your other thread regarding this same issue.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/281709-33-widescreen-...


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There is no need to make multiple posts especially since only 10 minutes past between this thread and your original thread.

All you need to do is simply respond to your own thread with:

** BUMP **

to bring your thread to the top.

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Sorry my information wasn't much help.

Dells website does list the D4700 as using a 915G chipset as seen on page 91 of this document.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4700/e...

Even if you are sure that your machine uses a 910GL it still shouldn't matter as both chips use the same GMA 900 video controller according to Wikipedia, and this Intel document as described on pages 29 and 30.

http://download.intel.com/design/chipsets/datashts/3014...

For a bit more reading here is a different Toms Hardware thread that address your same problem. Although no solution was ultimately found the same advice I gave you was given to the OP.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/53522-3-widescreen-gr...

I might suggest though that you spend your money on a complete system upgrade. Check out SlickDeals.net from time to time and you can find some good deals on refurbished, or open box items.

If you are set on buying a new card here is a link to a thread on SlickDeals that has an ATI 5450 for $35 after a $10 mail in rebate.

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1873790

GL

The double-post was an oops. I posted, got my new account confirmation email, then a message from the site saying I could post after confirming the new account. So I hit SUBMIT again, not having seen it was already there. Newbie mistake.

Found a card, it'll work, problem solved. As for the Dell specs and white sheets, yeah, I've read them all already before coming here. And one thing that ties them altogether is the user forum comments saying how they're mostly B.S. - Dell makes many custom configurations depending on which model ships when, and what's in the "generic" spec sheet may or may not apply to any particular system. Many others with the 4700 w/910GL were in the same boat: 4:3 only. Others with the same model had different specs when reading thru the system info and driver file info - very slightly different, but allowing at least one or two widescreen formats. On what was listed as the "same" chipset. Silly Dell. And no, driver updates don't solve. There's one driver for MY 910GL, and a DIFFERENT driver for a very slightly different 910GL. Totally bogus, but whatever. As stated, THANKS for all the good info, my problem is solved cheaply. Totally off-topic, this is one more reason I hate dipping my foot into the Windows world. I have to for a few things now and then, but my needs are light - I never require a great system for the handful of Windows-only things I need to do. But something as simple as plugging in a monitor...wow. And Windows people take this all B.S. as NORMAL, like it's just what you have to do. Incredible. So much time wasted. I have a freakin' ancient Mac in a box on the shelf of my closet. I pulled it out and plugged it in, started right up. Plugged in the new monitor I want to use with the 4 year old Dell. Bingo. The new display popped on with the right resolution, nothing to do or install. A 9 year old nvidia card in a 9 year old Mac, no problem. I'm just sayin...