In need of a new graphics card

[GHODZILLA5150]

Still could use a very important piece of hardware often overlooked when looking for new video card and that's your power supply.

Exactly. I was going to post the same thing. Most Dell PSU's are 475W. For your price the Nvidia Geforce GTS 250 1gb is a very good card. I had that card then bought a Radeon 5850 last week (Man, what a difference. Very nice card I had looked at the 5770, but it is only 128mb and you need at least 256mb.

 

[SirWeegee]

This may sound like I stupid question, but how exactly do I find out what my power supply is? I have most all of the other stuff filled in already.

 

[jr26]

Open the case and see if there are any model numbers on the power supply. Anything that could help us decipher what you have. Google shows no results for the Dell model number in your sys specs. Being a Dell and having what looks like integrated graphics with the Dual Core i'd assume the psu in it is most likely basic.

 

[Heroxoot]

Open the case and see if there are any model numbers on the power supply. Anything that could help us decipher what you have. Google shows no results for the Dell model number in your sys specs. Being a Dell and having what looks like integrated graphics with the Dual Core i'd assume the psu in it is most likely basic.

Probably around 300w. I've seen a few dell with integration and dual cores on 400w though.

 

[SirWeegee]

Well, I just figured out that if I open my computer, I'll break the warranty. I was wondering if there was any other way to figure out my power supply, but then I remembered that buying any new graphics card would require me to open it. Does this totally prevent me from buying a new one?

I apologize if these are all stupid questions, I'm not that great at technical stuff.

 

[smarteyeball]

Do either of these machines look like yours?

Inspiron 560s Slim Desktop | Dell

Inspiron 560 Desktop Details | Dell


Just going by your posted specs, you almost certainly have a 300w PSU.

 

[not so gray matter]

He's definitely got a 300W power supply. I just hope he has the mini tower and not the slim-line 560s because there's no way he'll fit a full size gfx card in a slimline.

 

[SirWeegee]

Yeah, I definitely don't have the slim version. I take it I can still fit one in?

 

[smarteyeball]

You will be able to fit one - but the low wattage (but more importantly the low 12v rail amps) of that PSU will limit your choices somewhat.

The power requirements of some of the faster cards will 'overload' that PSU quite easily.



What games do you play and what sort of performance are you hoping for?

 

[wickedout]

I'd look at the GTS 250 as well and make sure you have at least 512KB or 1GB. I own the EVGA GTS 250 great card. But I upgraded to the XFX 5850. Here's the link for you to check it out. I know it's over your budget by like $10. Anyways it's a solid card for gaming and anything else you throw at it.

Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1158-TR GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

 

[thefabe]

I'd look at the GTS 250 as well and make sure you have at least 512KB or 1GB. I own the EVGA GTS 250 great card. But I upgraded to the XFX 5850. Here's the link for you to check it out. I know it's over your budget by like $10. Anyways it's a solid card for gaming and anything else you throw at it.

Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1158-TR GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

And it's from a company with great customer support. Don't forget if you were to purchase it to register it within 30 days for the lifetime warranty. You might also check on Evga's site and see if it qualifies for their setpup program which would be another bonus. Fabe

 

[SirWeegee]

What games do you play and what sort of performance are you hoping for?

The games I play the most are all versions of The Sims and Spore, but I also play others such as The Movies and CSI. However, If I get an awesome graphics card, I'm hoping to get a few different games. I don't have any in mind at the moment, but I'll think of a few. I'm also wanting a new one so that I can play online games such as Bloons Super Monkey (if you haven't heard of it or aren't interested in playing it I'll just go ahead and say that later on in the game there's a ton of balloons on screen to pop, meaning slowdown) without any slowdown whatsoever.

I'm hoping to find one that allows me to play all of my games on high settings and still get the maximum (it doesn't matter if I get a few under, as long as it runs smoothly) frames per second. Of course, I know this will be hard to find when I'm wanting to play a huge game such as The Sims 3, so I guess I can settle for a bit less.

Either way, I appreciate all of the suggestions, guys.

 

[Heroxoot]

You could rock it easily on a 5770 for some time then. 4800 series is still a king. So its all about that budget.

4850 = 100USD
5770 = 160ish USD

 

[SirWeegee]

I'm curious about two things. First of all, what 5770 are you talking about, Heroxoot? I searched and it came up with a few different things...or, are you talking about the series? (I know it's kind of obvious due to the fact that you stated that the 4850 series is still good, but I want to be sure.) Second, once I get a graphics card, where will I put it in my computer?

 

[Joshatdot]

I'm curious about two things. First of all, what 5770 are you talking about, Heroxoot? I searched and it came up with a few different things...or, are you talking about the series? (I know it's kind of obvious due to the fact that you stated that the 4850 series is still good, but I want to be sure.) Second, once I get a graphics card, where will I put it in my computer?

Here PCI and PCI Express Cards - Dell™ Inspiron™ 560/570 Service Manual

Dell doesn't say if its PCI-E 2.0/2.1 or not...so I assume its 1.0


Also when you upgrade the PSU

Power Supply - Dell™ Inspiron™ 560/570 Service Manual


As for PCI-E 1.0 cards, looking at Newegg, there is a GF 9800 GT from Zotac and a HD 5670 from Diamond

ZOTAC ZT-98GES5P-FDL GeForce 9800 GT

DIAMOND 5670PE51G Radeon HD 5670

With either card, you'll need atleast a 400w PSU, which is about $50 to $60 for a decent one, also at Newegg

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified

for $10 cheeper FSP Group SAGA+ 400R 400W ATX12V Power Supply

 

[SirWeegee]

Wouldn't inserting a new PSU require me to open my computer, though?

 

[ThePizzaMan]

yes it would, although its not to hard to do just make sure you have the right connections

 

[blackroseMD1]

I too am kinda looking for a new GFX card. I've heard/read some driver issues with 57xx series, GSoD and wonky Aero support...any of this true?

I've kinda narrowed it down to 4770 or GT240, but willing to look into a 5750 or GTS250

I'm using a GTS250 HDMI right now, and it allows me to run Assassin's Creed II at 1920x1080 with all settings on high and 8X multisampling. It's a good card, for not a lot of money.

 

[thefabe]

Wouldn't inserting a new PSU require me to open my computer, though?

Your going to have to, to install a new Graphics card anyway. Fabe

 

[SirWeegee]

Well uhh...I can't open it for three reasons, one being the fact that my mom really doesn't want me to (yes, I'm not old enough to move out yet), the second one being the fact that if I do it'd void the warranty and the third one being the fact that I'd be scared to death of killing it, and if I did, I'd have to pay another $800 or so on a new computer. Any suggestions? <:[