New GPU for Dell Computer

[Sweettooth1074]

I would like to install a new video card for my dell machine. Here is a list of my specs...

Dell Inspiron 531s
Windows 7 32-bit
Power Supply Unit: 250w
1 PCI-Express slot

Current Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
(motherboard gpu)

Here is the GPU I'm looking at:

Newegg.com - SPARKLE SFPX95GT512U2L GeForce 9500 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards


I am concerned about the weak power supply and the motherboard GPU interfering.

Should I be considering a external power booster?

I would love to hear your suggestions.

 

[DarkXeno]

I would look at the power supply and see if a normal size new power supply would fit into that case, if not I would "re-case" the whole machine when I add the new video card so I wouldnt have any power issues.

 

[Wishmaster]

Or something like:
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100253HDMI Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Either card should be fine with the PSU you have as they draw their power from the PCI-E slot.

I can not say about the Nvidia, but this Sapphire i linked I have had exp. with, as i put one in my nieces PC. (Shes not a hardcore gamer and was all she needed)

DVD and HD playback is good.
Gaming is decent as well. At 1680x1050 it was able to run games like Tomb Raider Anniversary and underworld with most settings at max.(which is what she plays )

It struggled with AA and AF turned up, however at that res.

With some games it couldnt run at MAX settings, but somewhere around 75% & was OK with x2 AA

but overall, for what it is, it done fairly decent.

Just dont expect 1080P with all settings max And games like Crysis will def. require lower settings.

i would guess the nvidia will perform nearly as well, but i do not know much about it.

these cards will do best IMO, at 1440x900 or lower res. and 1680x1050 they will decent for the most part, depending what games you play. it will be stressful at this res though.

Aything larger will require a better power supply:
A 400W Corsair or 450W Watt Corsair (they supply 32-35A)would do just fine for most cards, such as a 3850 or 4850 ATi or Nvidia equal, which would offer a good deal more performance.

higher end cards may require more power.

 

[ThePizzaMan]

Or something like:
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100253HDMI Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Either card should be fine with the PSU you have as they draw their power from the PCI-E slot.

I can not say about the Nvidia, but this Sapphire i linked I have had exp. with, as i put one in my nieces PC. (Shes not a hardcore gamer and was all she needed)

DVD and HD playback is good.
Gaming is decent as well. At 1680x1050 it was able to run games like Tomb Raider Anniversary and underworld with most settings at max.(which is what she plays )

It struggled with AA and AF turned up, however at that res.

With some games it couldnt run at MAX settings, but somewhere around 75% & was OK with x2 AA

but overall, for what it is, it done fairly decent.

Just dont expect 1080P with all settings max And games like Crysis will def. require lower settings.

i would guess the nvidia will perform nearly as well, but i do not know much about it.

these cards will do best IMO, at 1440x900 or lower res. and 1680x1050 they will decent for the most part, depending what games you play. it will be stressful at this res though.

Aything larger will require a better power supply:
A 400W Corsair or 450W Watt Corsair (they supply 32-35A)would do just fine for most cards, such as a 3850 or 4850 ATi or Nvidia equal, which would offer a good deal more performance.

higher end cards may require more power.

+1 to this

 

[Sweettooth1074]

Thanks for the suggestion.

Yeah I'm thinking about running Team Fortress 2 and Left 4 Dead 2 in medium settings so I think either one of those choices is ok.

 

[Wishmaster]

they should do very well with Source Games

might even get by with some higher settings.