Dell Dimension C521 upgrade

[Guest]

Hi guys I wanna help my dad upgrading his dell dimension C521 (slim case) mostly the graphics card.

I do not wish to buy a graphics card for gaming, only for HD video streaming, Skype, Youtube, and etc.

I have found this as a good graphics card replacement than using the default one.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007B5YUMQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Here's the current specs
PC: Dell dimension C521
OS: Windows 7 32 bit
CPU: AMD anthlon 64 X2 Dual core processor 3600 + 1.90 GHz
GPU: Nvidia GeoForce 6150 LE
RAM: 3GB
PSU: Default Dell PSU 280w

 

[burdenbound]

Hi guys I wanna help my dad upgrading his dell dimension C521 (slim case) mostly the graphics card.

I do not wish to buy a graphics card for gaming, only for HD video streaming, Skype, Youtube, and etc.

I have found this as a good graphics card replacement than using the default one.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007B5YUMQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Here's the current specs
PC: Dell dimension C521
OS: Windows 7 32 bit
CPU: AMD anthlon 64 X2 Dual core processor 3600 + 1.90 GHz
GPU: Nvidia GeoForce 6150 LE
RAM: 3GB
PSU: Default Dell PSU 280w

You will need to upgrade the PSU in the system to at least a 400W.

--Edit: I had this exact dell computer and tried to put that exact graphics card in it. It will not boot with the stock PSU. I think a 400W PSU with the dimensions you need will run around $50. I believe it's a TFX style PSU but you will want to double check.

 

[computer_nugget2]

thats a good little card, get it. your windows 7 should find the drivers automatically. or you can downloard the amd catalyst control center and hdmi audio driver from the AMD site. and also when you are installing it, dont uninstall the old nvidia drivers, some are for the chipset on the motherboard. everything should work fine.

 

[Guest]

Hi guys I wanna help my dad upgrading his dell dimension C521 (slim case) mostly the graphics card.

I do not wish to buy a graphics card for gaming, only for HD video streaming, Skype, Youtube, and etc.

I have found this as a good graphics card replacement than using the default one.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007B5YUMQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Here's the current specs
PC: Dell dimension C521
OS: Windows 7 32 bit
CPU: AMD anthlon 64 X2 Dual core processor 3600 + 1.90 GHz
GPU: Nvidia GeoForce 6150 LE
RAM: 3GB
PSU: Default Dell PSU 280w

You will need to upgrade the PSU in the system to at least a 400W.

--Edit: I had this exact dell computer and tried to put that exact graphics card in it. It will not boot with the stock PSU. I think a 400W PSU with the dimensions you need will run around $50. I believe it's a TFX style PSU but you will want to double check.

Hmm the only one I have been able to find that gives a slight upgrade to the current PSU is this product

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004JUVNVC/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2NM2QYYYL2DIT

Only thing is it's only a 20w boost which I doubt will show any improvement. As well maybe you could recommend another graphics card that can fit on the dimension C521 and requires less power?

 

[computer_nugget2]

an 8400gs should fit and use less power.

[edit] nevermind, the 5450 uses less power.

http://www.hwcompare.com/447/geforce-8400-gs-512mb-vs-radeon-hd-5450/

 

[Guest]

an 8400gs should fit and use less power.

[edit] nevermind, the 5450 uses less power.

http://www.hwcompare.com/447/geforce-8400-gs-512mb-vs-radeon-hd-5450/

All right I'm going to take a huge gamble and see if the card will even support the PSU if not I'll go for that slight PSU upgrade and see where it lands me.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

If that PSU fits , it's a great unit made by the best SEASONIC.

 

[computer_nugget2]

seasonic also make a 350 watt version too, and fsp make a pretty good 350w also.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104128

 

[burdenbound]

Don't know if KENTEK is any good, but this PSU list a whole slew of dell computers as compatible. http://www.amazon.com/KENTEK-Replacement-TFX0250D5WB-DPS-250ab-28-04G185021200DE/dp/B008551ZI8 by the way did we ever confirm is was indeed a TFX PSU that you needed?

 

[computer_nugget2]

does your dell look like this? if it does, then we were looking for the wrong power supply.

 

[Guest]

seasonic also make a 350 watt version too, and fsp make a pretty good 350w also.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104128

All right I'll order the PSU at a later date and I'll test to see if it works on the stock or the upgrade-able one.

 

[Guest]

Don't know if KENTEK is any good, but this PSU list a whole slew of dell computers as compatible. http://www.amazon.com/KENTEK-Replacement-TFX0250D5WB-DPS-250ab-28-04G185021200DE/dp/B008551ZI8 by the way did we ever confirm is was indeed a TFX PSU that you needed?

This is the specs on the current PSU I' using.

http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Dell-Dimension-Optiplex-Desktop/dp/B001RRGH7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376156811&sr=8-1&keywords=dell+c521+power+supply

 

[Kisianik]

There is no need for power supply upgrade.

In order for new card to work, old drivers has to be uninstalled and integrated video chip has to be disabled in Device Manager prior to installation of the new card - this was most likely the reason for above stated failure.
Much stronger cards were reported working well inside your PC, do not waste your money!

 

[Guest]

There is no need for power supply upgrade.

In order for new card to work, old drivers has to be uninstalled and integrated video chip has to be disabled in Device Manager prior to installation of the new card - this was most likely the reason for above stated failure.
Much stronger cards were reported working well inside your PC, do not waste your money!

Any recommendation for other good graphics card asides the one I'm showing or am I good with it?

 

[burdenbound]

There is no need for power supply upgrade.

In order for new card to work, old drivers has to be uninstalled and integrated video chip has to be disabled in Device Manager prior to installation of the new card - this was most likely the reason for above stated failure.
Much stronger cards were reported working well inside your PC, do not waste your money!

Buy at your own risk then, I know how to install new graphics cards and I did remove all drivers prior to installing the new one. Maybe I had the unlucky system which couldn't muster the power but I don't see how this guy will have any better luck than I did with the exact same hardware.

 

[Kisianik]

There is no need for power supply upgrade.

In order for new card to work, old drivers has to be uninstalled and integrated video chip has to be disabled in Device Manager prior to installation of the new card - this was most likely the reason for above stated failure.
Much stronger cards were reported working well inside your PC, do not waste your money!

Any recommendation for other good graphics card asides the one I'm showing or am I good with it?

OK.

burdenbound said:
Buy at your own risk then, I know how to install new graphics cards and I did remove all drivers prior to installing the new one. Maybe I had the unlucky system which couldn't muster the power but I don't see how this guy will have any better luck than I did with the exact same hardware.

There is could be compatibility situation here, so to be sure let choose something different in the same price cathegory
HD 6450
Asus ATI Radeon HD6450 Silence 1 GB DDR3 VGA/DVI/HDMI Low Profile PCI-Express Video Card - EAH6450 http://www.amazon.com/Asus-Radeon-Silence-Profile-PCI-Express/dp/B004X8EO6Q/ref=sr_1_12?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1376405501&sr=1-12&keywords=HD+6450
Someone stated that 6450 was OK here http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/p/19452826/20122611.aspx#20122611 but no exact model was provided.

P.S. burdenbound - I did not mean to offend you, I am sorry if I did, but the problem is weird.

 

[Guest]

There is no need for power supply upgrade.

In order for new card to work, old drivers has to be uninstalled and integrated video chip has to be disabled in Device Manager prior to installation of the new card - this was most likely the reason for above stated failure.
Much stronger cards were reported working well inside your PC, do not waste your money!

I took your advice and went and bought the card to test it out myself. I managed to install the AMD Radeon HD 5440 and am getting good video quality now up to 1080P (even though I'm using a 1600 x 900 monitor)

Full look inside of PC
http://tinyurl.com/kwc36wv

Back port, using a VGA connection till I buy a 1920 x 1280 monitor with HDMI or DVI connection
http://tinyurl.com/kksb65e

As well gotten windows aero back and good test scores on this PC.

Score Report
Before: http://tinyurl.com/m2xrnhd After: http://tinyurl.com/llwxlct

 

[computer_nugget2]

nice to see that you got what you were looking for. hopefully everything works out great from here on out.