Graphics Card Upgrade for Dell Dimension E521

[scrankin]

I bought a Dimension E521 a long time ago, and I recently came upon an HIS HD 4670 IceQ video card. I tried to fit it into the PCI slot, but the fan on the video card was blocked by the thermal cooling system covering the processor. I just ordered an extender for the PCI slot, but before I get into anything, I want to know if the card is compatible with my computer. I have checked the specs for the E521 and the PCI slot is x16 and so is the card. I'm wondering if there is anything else that might hinder the card from working or if it will be fine.
Thanks!

 

[Aleschusta]

Can you provide some more information of your computer? Actual VGA, processor, motherboard, and PSU?I will do a quick search.

 

[Aleschusta]

Man, i've been searching and guess what! I had an old dimension E521 back in 2007 or 2008. It came with intel core 2 duo, 1gb ram, and one Radeon X1300 PRO. I tried to upgrade the VGA and bought one XFX 8600GT fatal1ty 1GB, but it didn't worked i don't know why. I sold the VGA and changed the PC for a dell XPS8300 in 2011. I would recommend to you to invest in a new PC, if possibly. If not, update the BIOS in the DELL website. I am not sure, but the intel core 2 duo might bottleneck you, and you should get and AMD Athlon x2 6000 wich should work if you update your BIOS. The recommended PSU wattage of the HD4670 is 400w in the amd website, and the standard PSU of the E521 is 305W, so i don't know, it might work (i didn't found the card max TDP) but i recommend a new PSU, too. The Radeon 4670 ICE QQ is dual slot, and the case cannot fit a dual slot card unless you take off the rear support plate on the card. You should buy this VGA: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161403.
If you need more help look at:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/320787-28-dell-dimension-e521-upgrade
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/366640-28-dimension-e521-power-supply
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/354475-33-dell-dimension-e521-video-card-upgrade
If i helped you, choose this message as best answer

 

[Aleschusta]

Making some math, i found out that your PC with HD4670 will require 280watts, but is highly specified in the manfacturer site( http://www.hisdigital.com/br/product2-382.shtml ) that it requires 400w PSU. Have faith!

 

[scrankin]

Best answer selected by scrankin.

 

[scrankin]

Man, i've been searching and guess what! I had an old dimension E521 back in 2007 or 2008. It came with intel core 2 duo, 1gb ram, and one Radeon X1300 PRO. I tried to upgrade the VGA and bought one XFX 8600GT fatal1ty 1GB, but it didn't worked i don't know why. I sold the VGA and changed the PC for a dell XPS8300 in 2011. I would recommend to you to invest in a new PC, if possibly. If not, update the BIOS in the DELL website. I am not sure, but the intel core 2 duo might bottleneck you, and you should get and AMD Athlon x2 6000 wich should work if you update your BIOS. The recommended PSU wattage of the HD4670 is 400w in the amd website, and the standard PSU of the E521 is 305W, so i don't know, it might work (i didn't found the card max TDP) but i recommend a new PSU, too. The Radeon 4670 ICE QQ is dual slot, and the case cannot fit a dual slot card unless you take off the rear support plate on the card. You should buy this VGA: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161403.
If you need more help look at:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/320787-28-dell-dimension-e521-upgrade
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/366640-28-dimension-e521-power-supply
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/354475-33-dell-dimension-e521-video-card-upgrade
If i helped you, choose this message as best answer

Thank you sir/ma'am! I should have specified a little more about what components are in my computer. I put in an AMD Athlon x2 Dual Core 5200, not quite the 6000 that you mentioned, and I have also added another 1GB of ram. I have been a little budgeted, since I go to high school during the school season and I only work over the summer.

The Radeon 4670 ICE QQ is dual slot, and the case cannot fit a dual slot card unless you take off the rear support plate on the card.

I ordered an extender online, and I'll find a way to make the card fit in there!
Thank you so much for your answer!