Radeon HD 2400 to $100-$200 card or new computer?

[mtanfield]

I have a Dell Inspiron 530s that I purchased almost 3 years ago (March 2008), and with my tax refund coming, I was wondering if it would be worth upgrading the graphics card or if I should just buy a new computer. It currently has a 256MB Radeon 2400 HD, and I typically play mid-level graphics games (WoW, L4D, StarcraftII). I'm looking to spend around $100-$200, and the current card I have my eyes on is a Radeon 5770. Here are some of my specs:

Intel Core2Duo E6550 (2.33 GHz 1333FSB) w/ 4MB cache
256MB Radeon 2400 HD
3 GB DDR2 SDRAM (800 MHz)
19" Flat Panel with 1440x900 Resolution

I'm not near this machine, so I don't exactly know what power supply it has, but I would assume it's enough to handle the current card.

I can supply more details, if needed.

Thanks!

 

[hang-the-9]

I doubt the 5770 will run well on a base Dell system unless you upgrade the power supply. You can upgrade the power supply or get a 5670, that should be a bit better on a stock Dell power supply.

 

[wolfram23]

In all honesty I'd say just buy a new PC. You could get an AMD quad core with 4gb RAM and a decent midrange card for $600 or so.

However if you don't have the funds right now, you might be able to just upgrade the PSU and GPU, then as you get cash buy the CPU, Mobo, and RAM.

 

[Helltech]

Dell PSUs are pretty decent, what is the amps and wattage on it (When you get near it)?

 

[mtanfield]

Thanks for the suggestions! Unfortunately, it's my wife's turn to get a new PC, so I think I'll have to settle with the upgrade for now. For the kind of games I play (mostly WoW with some L4D and SCII sprinkled between), should I bother with the 5770, or would the 5670 be good enough?

 

[Helltech]

Depends on the settings you want to play them on.

 

[mtanfield]

I would like to play most of them at max settings (or as close as possible). I don't remember upgrading the power supply when I purchased it, so I would assume it's still the 250W stock PSU.

 

[Martell77]

Have you opened the comp up and confirmed there is a Pcie slot? More than 70% of Dell computers I've run into don't have a slot for expansion on the mobo. Just asking.

The 5770 is a great card, my bro has it in his machine and plays SC2 on Ultra settings without any issues. As for WoW, I haven't played that in a long time so not sure what the requirements are for that anymore, but in the WoLK days, I was looking to get a 5770 as an upgrade.

 

[mtanfield]

Well, after doing a bit more research, I heard that my tower is one of the worst to upgrade, as it's the slim case version. I've also heard, that, due to this, I will be unable to upgrade the PSU. Unless I can get a decent upgrade to the GPU, I don't think it would be worth the money I would spend. Thoughts/Suggestions?

 

[nforce4max]

Just get a 5450 if you are worried about power. I once had a 2400 pro and a 5450 uses the same amount of power give or take a few watts.

 

[Martell77]

Here is what I found on Newegg:

Radeon 5570
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102874&cm_re=low_profile_radeon-_-14-102-874-_-Product

I just read that some have gotten the 5570 to work in a Dell 530s. Probably your best shot as it 530s uses a TFX power supply and those go up to about 300 watt from what I can see.




*Edit* removed the 5750 since power draw is likely too much.

 

[nforce4max]

Here are some options I found on Newegg:
Radeon 5750, needs a 450w PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131363&cm_re=low_profile_radeon-_-14-131-363-_-Product

and

Radeon 5570, needing a 400w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102874&cm_re=low_profile_radeon-_-14-102-874-_-Product

Don't bother quoting figures unless you are able to get actual load. The 5450 typically under full load barely uses 30w max while the 5570 should be around 50-60w. The 5750 is around 84w same as a 9800gt and 3870.

 

[purple stain]

I used to own a 5570.It maxed out L4D2 and nearly SC2.Altough tha was probably with the help of my quad core.

I would say a 5770 and a new PSU is just wat is needed but since you have a slim computer go with a 5670 or a 5570.Once you get the actual wattage from your PSU then we can be more accurate as to wat you should upgrade to.

What resoultion is your monitor?

 

[Martell77]

Don't bother quoting figures unless you are able to get actual load. The 5450 typically under full load barely uses 30w max while the 5570 should be around 50-60w. The 5750 is around 84w same as a 9800gt and 3870.

5450 = 38w under load
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-5450,2549-12.html
5570 = 53w
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-5570,2552-12.html

The 5750 is too much and thats why I removed it from my previous post. However doing some research I found on another forum some that said that a 5570 will work in the 530s. And from the benchies, I'd try the 5570.

 

[hang-the-9]

Well, after doing a bit more research, I heard that my tower is one of the worst to upgrade, as it's the slim case version. I've also heard, that, due to this, I will be unable to upgrade the PSU. Unless I can get a decent upgrade to the GPU, I don't think it would be worth the money I would spend. Thoughts/Suggestions?

Post a link to your exact computer model please. If you have a slimline case, that's not a "tower" really and can be very limiting in what video card will fit in there, not only due to the power supply but because it may only take low profile cards, which are not easy to find in higher end cards.

 

[mtanfield]

Here is the best link I've been able to come up with:

https://support.dell.com/support/order/details.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&order_number=201492760&validate=91780519#

Unfortunately, it is a slimline case, so I may just suck it up and make do with what I have until I can afford a new computer. I originally got this one as a "step" to my school laptop, so the machine was originally a "temp machine" until I got the newer one.

 

[UniqueName]

A low profile 5570 should be ok. Make sure vents and fans are clean and unblocked. No furniture, cables etc in the way. Don't overclock it.

I assume you are playing with everything on low right now? Is it acceptable? Your CPU is kind of weak to expect max in everything at 1440x900 but it will be substantially better than what you have now. If your CPU can handle it 50fps is possible in WoW and 45fps in SC2 on medium. Sources WoW SC2

I don't want to persuade you to spend money since you seem to have accepted your fate but $60 to extend the useful life of your system for a year is a reasonable expense.

 

[JasonKing]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261078&Tpk=gts%20450%20low%20profile

Get the GTS 450 LP. It's your only decent option.

 

[nforce4max]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261078&Tpk=gts%20450%20low%20profile

Get the GTS 450 LP. It's your only decent option.

That would be a best performance solution however this card draws 109 on it's own at stock clocks under load.

 

[UniqueName]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261078&Tpk=gts%20450%20low%20profile

Get the GTS 450 LP. It's your only decent option.

I wouldn't use that with a 250 watt PSU.

 

[purple stain]

Just get a 5570.It's a great little card and it will max out all the games you play.I used to own one and it does surpriseingly well for such a small card.

 

[nforce4max]

+1 not when the card uses 109w on it's own.

Damn typo <_<

 

[mtanfield]

Thanks for all the responses, everyone! I'm relieved to hear that all is not lost, and I will plan on getting a 5570 for the time being!

 

[purple stain]

Good idea.

 

[mtanfield]

Best answer selected by mtanfield.