Fastest GPU for Inspiron 530

[deanshu]

First of all, I was wondering what's the most powerful card that I can use if I don't upgrade the PSU.

Here's a pic of the PSU. Apparently it's 350w. I'm using a Q6600, stock, and 3GB DDR2 RAM, 667mhz stock also. (Currently I'm using a puny 8500GT.)

Okay, now lets say I upgrade the PSU along with the GPU.
What's the fastest GPU that I can get that fits the case (see pics below), and what PSU would I need with it?

Looking forward for some input.. thanks in advance!

 

[vouslavous]

Well without upgrading your PSU the ATI Radeon 4670 is your best bet. If i were you i would upgrade PSU and get a 4830 or 4850

 

[kpo6969]

You have 25amps w/stock psu.
You can't o'c your cpu so you could go 8800GT or 9800GT.
Gpu needs to be 9" or less in length. ^^ 9" ^^

 

[deanshu]

Well without upgrading your PSU the ATI Radeon 4670 is your best bet. If i were you i would upgrade PSU and get a 4830 or 4850

Will it fit? According to Newegg the 4850 I've been eyeing (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121272) it's 9", and according to my ruler I have 9.5", so it should be OK right? I will upgrade the PSU if it does... any idea which one I should go for?

 

[deanshu]

Okay, a friend of mine recommended this PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703015

What do you guys think?

 

[deanshu]

430w should be enough right?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

This PSU has 2000 reviews and it's five star (or eggs) over all.

 

[smithereen]

I'd buy it, it should handle up a 4850 fine.

 

[delluser1]

Okay, a friend of mine recommended this PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703015

What do you guys think?

You don't need it.

 

[deanshu]

You don't need it.

A lot of people are saying the PSU would explode if I put the 4850 in there though... are you sure?

 

[delluser1]

430w should be enough right?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

This PSU has 2000 reviews and it's five star (or eggs) over all.

It also provides less power to the +12v than the unit you have, it's not an upgrade. An Antec EA430 can provide 30 amps on the +12v, it would be an upgrade.
Still don't think you would need it, plenty of people running the 4870 on a Dell 375 watt psu.

 

[WR2]

Your Dell PSU says:
"The Maximum Continuous Combined Output Power (12V A + 12V B) is 300W"
That is 25amps (300/12) compared to 18amps in the Thermaltake 430W PSU you linked.
For the same price as the Thermaltake 430W you can get the Corsair 400CX (30amps +12V)

But I agree with DellUser1 your current PSU is good for one of the 4800 series GPU. 4830s/4850s are really good price/performance value (especially since you don't need to buy another PSU).

 

[kpo6969]

Okay, a friend of mine recommended this PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703015

What do you guys think?

For a 4850 this is good @ 35amps
Your stock Dell psu is a Lite-on 350w @ 25amps (as you state)
4850 should have 30+ amps minimum

 

[WR2]

Run by the Dell Support forums and see what other 530/Q6600 owners are using for upgraded video cards.

 

[jlynn33]

I have 3 530's. All have Ati 4850 cards. They work fine with the PSU that comes with a quad core processor. I think it is 350w.