Help on upgrading a graphics card on a Dell XPS 435

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jojalis

jojalis

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Sep 14, 2012
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First let me say I have done an extensive search on this topic but all the results I've found are far more technical than I can understand. Iam a complete noob on this hardware stuff but I am trying to help my son be able to play games such as minecraft and guild wars. Below is my current system (not sure if this is the relevant info needed). Can I upgrade my video card and if so how? I opened the case and I am uncertain about how to get the card out. Is it all one piece? Sorry when I hear the word 'card' I think something shaped like a card without the ports and stuff... Also my searches indicated that the power supply is important, I have no idea how to find out what mine is or again, how to upgrade that either.
If anyone can help out this total non-techie I would be very grateful! My son is bugging me for a whole new gaming PC, I hope I dont have to


System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 9/14/2012, 10:29:49
Machine name: FAMILY-PC
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120503-2030)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: DELL Inc.
System Model: Studio XPS 435T/9000
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 920 @ 2.67GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 3072MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3062MB RAM
Page File: 1861MB used, 4262MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 5450
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x68F9)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_68F9&SUBSYS_010E1028&REV_00
Display Memory: 2291 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1015 MB
Shared Memory: 1275 MB
Current Mode: 1600 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Dell ST2010
Monitor Model: DELL ST2010
Monitor Id: DELF018
Native Mode: 1600 x 900(p) (59.978Hz)
Output Type: HD15
Driver Name: atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.14.0010.0716 (English)
Driver Version: 8.682.1.0
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 12/10/2009 17:48:00, 4684288 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-2BB9-11CF-5471-0421A1C2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x68F9
SubSys ID: 0x010E1028
Revision ID: 0x0000
Driver Strong Name: oem29.inf:ATI.Mfg.NTamd64.6.0:ati2mtag_Evergreen:8.682.1.0:pci\ven_1002&dev_68f9&subsys_010e1028
Rank Of Driver: 00E60001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
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{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
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D3D9 Overlay: Not Supported
DXVA-HD: Not Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
 
Solution
andrewcarr
If you buy the parts yourself you can get a 7770 and a PSU for around $200 and a upgrade to a 7850 for about $250. Add in another $50 (at least) if you want a shop to install the parts for you.
PSU for both- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026
7770- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102968
7850- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202004

Just noticed this from your sig robjordy "The answer is 42 !" chuckling as my chemistry professor used that as part of his speech after students forgot to show units on some answers.
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Deemo13

Deemo13

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Jul 18, 2011
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Alright, this might be a long post. I'll do the best I can to help you here.

inserting-video-card.jpg


This is the video card. Yours might look a little bit different. I'll go into taking it out in a minute.

You have a Dell XPS, which means you probably have around a 300W power supply. Now, you can upgrade the power supply, but if you do not want to upgrade the power supply, the best card you can get in your computer is the Radeon HD7750. It has a very low power draw and should work on whatever power supply you have in there.

Now, for taking out the card:

Before you turn off the computer, uninstall the drivers for the card in "Programs and Features"

You obviously want to turn off the computer and un-plug the power. Remember to ground yourself. You are probably going to need a screwdriver. Unscrew the screw holding in the graphics card. You'll be able to find it pretty obviously.

Now, you can't just yank the card out. To take the card out, you are going to want to un-do the clip that is going to be behind the graphics card.

video-card-clip_resized.jpg


You need to un-do the clip to slide the graphics card out. I would recommend keeping the old 5450 you had as a backup.

To insert the card, you basically just put it into the slot and screw it in.

Then you turn the computer on to make sure it works. If it boots into Windows, you can install the drivers for the video card from the manufacturer website (Nvidia/AMD).
 
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jojalis

jojalis

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Sep 14, 2012
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If it saves me from buying a new PC and listening to my son complain, my budget is bt $100-150? Is that do-able?
 
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Deemo13

Deemo13

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Jul 18, 2011
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This made me laugh lol!

Honestly, that is a really nice computer, and you probably won't have get anything new for awhile. That processor is going to hold up for another 2 years or so. That's also a ridiculously nice looking case as well, so if your son starts to complain in a few years, you can use alot of the parts you already have, like the hard drive, the case, and the new video card to make a new one, but you shouldn't have that problem for awhile.

$150 is going to get you a Radeon HD7770.
 
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jojalis

jojalis

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Sep 14, 2012
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I'm sorry, what is a psu?
 
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GreenDutchAlien

GreenDutchAlien

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Aug 5, 2011
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jojalis

jojalis

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Sep 14, 2012
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Ok, I took the cover off - first time I ever saw inside of a pc - so bear with me. I see a metal box where the power supply cord goes inside.There is a label on it made in china with a few numbers but there is a screw holding a panel on the box. Would the power spec be inside here? Do I need to take it apart?
Or are you referring to the cable that plugs into the monitor?
 
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jojalis

jojalis

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Sep 14, 2012
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10,630
 
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