Budget GPU for Dell Studio XPS 8100

[qwerty1358]

I'm looking to upgrade my old Dell Studio with a new graphics card. I have not changed it at all whatsoever. Specs:

CPU: Intel i5 650 @ 3.2 ghz (dual core)

GPU: Nvidia GT220

RAM: 8 gb

PSU: Not sure what model but it is a 350W

Mobo: ?

I would like a GPU that would work with the 350W psu and is around $150.

 

[stickg1]

This is about the best GPU on the market that does NOT require external power cables.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102985
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127665

You go any more powerful and you're going to have to upgrade that PSU.

 

[ko888]

Since the Dell Studio XPS 8100's 350 Watt power supply has a maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 25 Amps and has one 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connector I will recommend the following:

ASUS HD7770-DCT-1GD5 for $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121644

or

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6850 1GB for $149.99 ($134.99 after mail-in rebate card)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

XFX HD-685X-ZCFC Radeon HD 6850 1GB for $149.99 ($134.99 after mail-in rebate card)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150573

 

[qwerty1358]

Thanks I decided to go with the 6850

 

[stickg1]

Be careful, some of the 6850s require 2 6-pin connectors. For example, that XFX that was linked requires 2 6-pins. Not going to work with your PSU, sorry.

 

[qwerty1358]

Thanks. Its a good thing that I didnt order it yet

 

[stickg1]

Honestly I think you should just go with a HD7770. What resolution do you play games at?

The HD7770 is a pretty decent card for $120. Especially if you play at 1600x900 or less its awesome. I used one for a while playing at 1920x1080 and I was really happy with the performance for a $100 GPU.

 

[qwerty1358]

Honestly I think you should just go with a HD7770. What resolution do you play games at?

The HD7770 is a pretty decent card for $120. Especially if you play at 1600x900 or less its awesome. I used one for a while playing at 1920x1080 and I was really happy with the performance for a $100 GPU.

I would like to play at 1920x1080 but i dont mind 1600x900 either. As long as the graphics dont look to blocky and pixelated I dont mind. What game were you playing at 1920x1080 and how many fps were you getting?

 

[stickg1]

Skyrim with high settings 40-60fps, fallout new Vegas ultra settings maxed out 60fps.

Two not very demanding games though. It was for my kids computer and i used it for a week whilei was doing some bartering and waiting on my 7870 to come.

 

[ko888]

I would like to play at 1920x1080 but i dont mind 1600x900 either. As long as the graphics dont look to blocky and pixelated I dont mind. What game were you playing at 1920x1080 and how many fps were you getting?

If you don't use the display's native 1920x1080 resolution the image will look soft.

The Radeon HD 6850 is a faster card than the Radeon HD 7770 no matter how you look at it.

 

[panwala95]

hey why dont you play it safe and buy a hd 7750?

 

[ko888]

hey why dont you play it safe and buy a hd 7750?

Safe, how?

 

[panwala95]

maybe if your brand is of a generic brand chances any higher gpu may not work

 

[ko888]

maybe if your brand is of a generic brand chances any higher gpu may not work

Brand of what?

 

[stickg1]

If you don't use the display's native 1920x1080 resolution the image will look soft.

The Radeon HD 6850 is a faster card than the Radeon HD 7770 no matter how you look at it.

http://tpucdn.com/reviews/AMD/HD_7770/images/skyrim_1920_1200.gif

There is no doubt that the 6850 is faster but the xfx you linked him earlier requires 2 6pin pcie connectors that he doesn't have. Even the single 6 pin 6850 use more power than a 7770 and with his 350w Dell psu i think the 7770 is more suited for his existing hardware.

I agree though, you're going to want to use your native resolution.

 

[delluser1]

Safe, how?

Safe according to his idea of how things work, not reality
That system was sold with a quad core and a 5770, no reason a 6850 wouldn't work fine with the dual core in the OP's

 

[ko888]

There is no doubt that the 6850 is faster but the xfx you linked him earlier requires 2 6pin pcie connectors that he doesn't have. Even the single 6 pin 6850 use more power than a 7770 and with his 350w Dell psu i think the 7770 is more suited for his existing hardware.

I agree though, you're going to want to use your native resolution.

The maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 25 Amps is what determines if the power supply is able to handle the card.

Anyone that looks just at the total power supply wattage doesn't know what they're doing anyway.

 

[panwala95]

on 25 amps a hd 6850 should just work

 

[stickg1]

A system with a 95w cpu and a 6850 can draw in upwards to 275w+. I understand his cpu is 73w but his system can draw 275/350=~79%, if his psu is 80 plus certified he is still cutting it close. Will it work? Probably, is it a good idea? Not in my eyes, just my opinion. Good luck.

 

[panwala95]

then he should probably buy a new psu

 

[stickg1]

What games are you looking to play OP?

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/539?vs=536

 

[qwerty1358]

All of you are giving great suggestions. I guess I'll go buy a new psu maybe 500w. I want to play bf3, skrim, gta, mass effect, crysis 2, etc.

 

[delluser1]

A system with a 95w cpu and a 6850 can draw in upwards to 275w+. I understand his cpu is 73w but his system can draw 275/350=~79%, if his psu is 80 plus certified he is still cutting it close. Will it work? Probably, is it a good idea? Not in my eyes, just my opinion. Good luck.

That's enough to show that you don't understand
Efficiency is the conversion of AC to DC
If the OP's system were to draw 275 watts and the psu was 80% efficient the load on the psu would be 220 watts or about 63% of it's capacity

 

[stickg1]

Well wouldn't it go the other way? If the system needed 275w to run under heavy load then an 80% efficient PSU would have to generate more than 275w to make up for its inefficiency. I'm not trying to be a smart-arse I am actually confused. Because the way you put it, it actually seems like the less efficient the PSU the better it is. Please educate me.

 

[ausert]

Personally, I think that if the OP was to choose between the 6850 and the 7770, I would say go with the 7770. The 7770 and the 6850 are generally around the same price, however the 6850 offers a bit more performance. Now, the performance is really insignificant and the 6850 uses 30watts more than the 7770. If the OP was to buy the 7770 and realize that it was not enough and he has power left, he can easily OC it to higher clock rates that will surpass the 6850 since the 7_ series scales significantly better than the 6_ series in terms of OC, and he won't be stretching his PSU that much.