Seeking graphics card for Dell Dimension 3100 with Windows 7 64 bit

[dell3100user]

Hi everyone

I have a Dell Dimension 3100 with Windows 7 64 bit running. I am looking to upgrade the graphics card but I have found it to be difficult. I recently purchased a Radeon 9250 256 MB graphics card that ended up not being compatible with Windows 7 64 bit.

I am looking for a good card (not a low end cheap one) that is compatible with Windows 7 64 bit and the Dell Dimension 3100.

I have already done some searching. Dell upgrade recommended these two cards

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?c=us&category_id=6715&cs=ussoho1&l=en&s=soho&mfgpid=167559&chassisid=8235

I have googled and found they are not compatible with Windows 7.

I have no problem finding Dimension 3100 compatible cards, its just when I look to see if W7 64Bit drivers are available, they do not exist. Its because this is an older motherboard/tower and I am running 64bit W7.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I do not have a PCI express slot. Just a normal PCI slot. Thanks.

 

[Akhilcool]

Are you sure you've looked everywhere for a 64-bit driver? I've found one with some simple googling but if you still want a new one you can be satisfied with any of the Radeon HD 5000 or 6000 series cards. If you prefer Nvidia then you can also go with the GTX 400 series or 500 series. It might cost you at least $50+ though depending on how great of a card you're looking for.

 

[dell3100user]

Are you sure you've looked everywhere for a 64-bit driver?

Certainly, I have looked on Microsofts Compatibility Center. They show graphics cards compatible with Windows 7 and I will match it up to the card I am purchasing and have not found an appropriate driver.

For example:

The Radeon 9250 256 MB card is here on the compatibility center:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/Details.aspx?type=Hardware&p=Diamond%20Multimedia%20ATI%20Radeon%209250%20PCI%20256MB%20Graphics%20Card&v=Diamond%20Multimedia&uid=S9250PCI256&l=en-US&pf=0&pi=2&s=9250%20256&os=64-bit

it says it is 32 and 64 bit compatible, it links me to a driver download page from Diamond Multimedia. I have gone there and the 92xx series does not show up under windows 7 64 bit. It does show up under windows 7 32bit (9250 )

http://www.dmmdownload.com/driver.php

 

[Akhilcool]

Certainly, I have looked on Microsofts Compatibility Center. They show graphics cards compatible with Windows 7 and I will match it up to the card I am purchasing and have not found an appropriate driver.

For example:

The Radeon 9250 256 MB card is here on the compatibility center:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/Details.aspx?type=Hardware&p=Diamond%20Multimedia%20ATI%20Radeon%209250%20PCI%20256MB%20Graphics%20Card&v=Diamond%20Multimedia&uid=S9250PCI256&l=en-US&pf=0&pi=2&s=9250%20256&os=64-bit

it says it is 32 and 64 bit compatible, it links me to a driver download page from Diamond Multimedia. I have gone there and the 92xx series does not show up under windows 7 64 bit. It does show up under windows 7 32bit (9250 )

http://www.dmmdownload.com/driver.php

Yeah the Microsoft Compatibility Center may not give you all the results so your better off just Googling the drivers for 64 bit Windows 7. I can give you a link though I can't guarantee it to be free of any viruses.

 

[Akhilcool]

I've just downloaded it. It seems to be safe. =) I hope that driver works for you.

 

[Akhilcool]

http://driverscollection.com/?H=Radeon%209250&By=ATI&SS=Windows%207%2064-bit

Type in the download code and click download.

 

[dell3100user]

Yeah the Microsoft Compatibility Center may not give you all the results so your better off just Googling the drivers for 64 bit Windows 7. I can give you a link though I can't guarantee it to be free of any viruses.

I have tried, I googled for a 64 bit driver for the 9250. I actually found it, downloaded it and it still did not work.

Right now I am trying to find a 64 bit driver for the Radeon x1300 256MB PCI card. I know it works with the 3100 and is the best card from what I have read for the 3100. I am just trying to see if it is W7 64bit compatible. Thanks for the help.

 

[Akhilcool]

I have tried, I googled for a 64 bit driver for the 9250. I actually found it, downloaded it and it still did not work.

Right now I am trying to find a 64 bit driver for the Radeon x1300 256MB PCI card. I know it works with the 3100 and is the best card from what I have read for the 3100. I am just trying to see if it is W7 64bit compatible. Thanks for the help.

Is that graphic card by Visiontek?

 

[Akhilcool]

It seems to be that card is only supported up to Windows Vista. You can still use the card with the Vista drivers but you won't be able to make use of any Windows 7 graphic card features such as WDDM 1.1

 

[dell3100user]

It seems to be that card is only supported up to Windows Vista. You can still use the card with the Vista drivers but you won't be able to make use of any Windows 7 graphic card features such as WDDM 1.1

My last choice is the Geforce 6400

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/Details.aspx?type=Hardware&p=Evga%20GeForce%206200%20PCI%20256MB%20GDDR2%20Graphics%20Card&v=Evga&uid=256P1N400LR&l=en-US&pf=0&pi=1&s=GeFoce%206200%20CPI&os=64-bit

it says its Windows 7 64 bit compatible

and also Dimension 3100 compatible

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3515/t/19035807.aspx


Do you think it'll work?

 

[dell3100user]

scratch that, looks like there are also compatibility problems with the 6200 and Windows 7 64 bit

 

[Akhilcool]

scratch that, looks like there are also compatibility problems with the 6200 and Windows 7 64 bit

Sorry for the extremely late post. I found a card that you might find a lot better:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=854467&CatId=319

This is the Windows 7 64-bit driver on the official website for GeForce:

http://www.geforce.com/Drivers/Results/38916

It should definately work with your computer. It is PCI (not PCI-e) and packs 512mb DDR3 Video RAM among other features. It should be good for a computer like yours that doesn't have the capabilities for a better card. Just make sure you have a power supply unit that is at least 300W.