Dell Inspiron 531s Graphic Card Update

[KathaMeetha]

I own a Dell Inspiron 531 which has a factory AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+ 2.01 Ghz with 2 GB of memory RAM. (Updated to 2 from 1)
Its a 32 Bit Windows 7 Ultimate.
I also have a NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430.
I want to upgrade my graphic card so I can play League of Legends with high FPS and graphics.
I'm not sure how much Wattage my PSU is.
Thanks in advance. I have a budget of ~$150.
Thanks!

 

[Xttony]

Get a HD7750 or a HD 7770 or GTX 650. They are in your budget and won't be bottlenecked by the processor too. Also it is important to know the wattage of the PSU. You need to have atleast 300watts PSU with a 6pin connector to support HD7770 and GTX650 or a 220watts PSU for the HD7750.

 

[KathaMeetha]

Can you please explain that again? I am very lost.
What is this pin stuff?
Thanks

 

[Xttony]

You can get a AMD HD7750 graphics card which you can get for $80-$100
Or you can get a AMD HD7770 graphics card which you can get for $90-$120
Or you can get a nVidia GTX650 graphics card which you can get for $130-$170

If you buy a more fast graphics card your processor will not support it.

If you are going with the 2nd or the 3rd option you need to have a six pin plug/connector that will supply power to the graphics card.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/NEW-PCI-Express-Power-Adapter/dp/B000WOQSSC/ref=pd_sim_ce_4
The picture in this link is of a molex to 6pin connector/plug. The black one is the 6pin connector and the two white pins are the molex pins.

 

[Kisianik]

Which Inspiron you have 531 (MT mini tower) or 531s (slim). If 531 then all recommended above is correct, if it is slim, 531s, please disregard above recommendations since full size graphic cards are offered. Power supply for 531s is 250 watt, only 7750 would be supported, it is known to run on 220 watt PSU. Low profile Sapphire 7750 DDR5 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202002
Unfortunately you have TFX factor power supply, if so desire (not necessary for Sapphire 7750) you can get 350 watt TFX SeaSonic power supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151114, and the offering for power supplies stops here, unfortunately.

For your information, Inspiron 531s manuals http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/insp531s/en/index.htm
Inspiron 531s driver downloads http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/Product/inspiron-531s

Inspiron 531 MT (mini tower) manuals http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/inspd531/en/index.htm

Inspiron 531 driver downloads http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/Product/inspiron-531

On driver download pages you will see picture of your Inspiron, please identify your model to prevent confusion.

 

[Kisianik]

Actually you can also upgrade your processor for about $40, if interested please ask here.

 

[KathaMeetha]

Yes, I have the slim version.
I am still very lost so if you all come to a conclusive answer, I will try to read thorugh it.
Thanks!
I'm not very tech savvy.

 

[Kisianik]

Thanks for clarification.
My choice Sapphire 7750 is the best option you can get for low profile. If you can squeeze a bit more $$, you can upgrade your processor to Athlon 64 x2 6000+, this is the maximum your motherboard supports, however this might require power supply upgrade (link previously provided), if needed I would have to calculate your maximum wattage to see if your 250 watt power supply will support them all.
I would recommend to get 7750 and install, next try your games, if they play OK - no worries, if not - ask a question. If you create new post, feel free to PM me, I have great deal of knowledge about upgrading Inspirons different models beyond Dell recommendations.

Glad to help fellow Inspiron user.

 

[Xttony]

Yes, I have the slim version.
I am still very lost so if you all come to a conclusive answer, I will try to read thorugh it.
Thanks!
I'm not very tech savvy.

You have a small cabinet/case so you cannot put a big(high profile) card in it so you have to go for a small(low profile card).
You don't need to buy a power supply of high power(wattage) as long as you don't overclock or buy a high end card. 7750 is a low end card.

 

[KathaMeetha]

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/CYRI/Requirements/league-of-legends/10933?p=r
This is the game!
I want to play at high graphics.
Since my parents will pay, there is no room for error.

 

[Xttony]

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/CYRI/Requirements/league-of-legends/10933?p=r
This is the game!
I want to play at high graphics.
Since my parents will pay, there is no room for error.

A HD7750 can easily support that game. And where are you from?

 

[KathaMeetha]

Toronto.
Will I be able to play at high graphics?

 

[Kisianik]

With new video card yes, your processor is in between recommended and minimum requirements for your game (all what is listed is processor speed 2 GHz for minimum and 3 GHz for recommended, however this means Pentium 4, you have Dual Core, so you already above).

 

[KathaMeetha]

What card is this?
Anything else to upgrade?

 

[Kisianik]

Low profile Sapphire 7750 DDR5 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202002
oops next link is for Canada http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202002

 

[KathaMeetha]

Would you say that I update anything else?
Do I need the pin? (Or something?)
Why does this happen? Graphic card or what. Some person opened my computer and it has been doing this.

http://gyazo.com/8c272190fbf300eaf5ea2cc407f93f87.png

Happens for a split second and I managed to screenie it. Its usually when I change tabs quickly.

 

[Kisianik]

Would you say that I update anything else?
Do I need the pin? (Or something?)
Why does this happen? Graphic card or what. Some person opened my computer and it has been doing this.

http://gyazo.com/8c272190fbf300eaf5ea2cc407f93f87.png

Happens for a split second and I managed to screenie it. Its usually when I change tabs quickly.

You asked about updates for anything else, what do you mean?
What pin you talking about?

Now regarding this strange picture.
Check if all the cables to monitor connected tight, when someone opened your PC, what someone did inside, could any cables inside got loose?
Do you have in your house another monitor, if yes, can you connect your PC to this monitor and see if the problem still there. Is this problem happened only on Internet, does it happened when you open folders.
It seems to be video issues, but is your PC very hot? I understand that it is the winter outside, but still.
If no one suggest something valuable here I would recommend to post this picture at Dell Desktop Video Forum http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3515.aspx I expect some help there for sure.

 

[Xttony]

You do not need the pin that I said for thAt graphics card. Just put the card in the computer and it will run.

 

[KathaMeetha]

You do not need the pin that I said for thAt graphics card. Just put the card in the computer and it will run.

Ahh thanks.
It only happens only on the internet.

Also, how good will this card be? :O
I'm not exactly sure how good it will be.
Thanks!

Update as in someone said to update my AMD Athlon X2 and my processor.
Also one more problem.
When I'm downloading something, the computers runs very choppily. Like I see the delay when I'm typing.
Is this normal?

 

[Xttony]

It is a low end card and it can handle all current games at low/medium settings. But according to the criteria you previously gave you have nothing to worry about. You can play league of legends at high and get high framerates.

 

[KathaMeetha]

So you mean because of my computer, I can play at good settings.
Anyone have any idea of those weird lines?
It only happens on the internet. Mostly when changing tabs.
Is there anything else you say I update?

 

[Kisianik]

So you mean because of my computer, I can play at good settings.
Anyone have any idea of those weird lines?
It only happens on the internet. Mostly when changing tabs.
Is there anything else you say I update?

If it is only Internet issue, reinstall your browser, and better upgrade it to the latest, which browser do you use? Have your Internet connection speed changed (your Internet Service Provider changed, or you plan changed?).

 

[Xttony]

So you mean because of my computer, I can play at good settings.
Anyone have any idea of those weird lines?
It only happens on the internet. Mostly when changing tabs.
Is there anything else you say I update?

I was just saying that you can play league of legends at good settings as it your main objective on this upgrade.
Can you explain the weird lines on your computer or post a screen shot of this problem?

 

[Kisianik]

I was just saying that you can play league of legends at good settings as it your main objective on this upgrade.
Can you explain the weird lines on your computer or post a screen shot of this problem?

It was posted above http://gyazo.com/8c272190fbf300eaf5ea2cc407f93f87.png

 

[KathaMeetha]

Ok.
Where exactly do I put the card?
Ordering it now.
And is Newegg trusted?