Graphics cards

[ford44]

what is best graphics card for dell 8400 with pent 4, 3.2 gig and 2 gig ddr ram. All else standard. I keep getting parity error and thought changing card might fix. Have checked numerous things with no success. Want to play bioshock etc and realize rig is not suitable for high end games but should play some/most older games.
Thanks
bob

 

[jyjjy]

Your computer has a PCI-E x16 slot so it should be able to handle current cards. This is a good deal and appropriate for your processor;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131360
The most you should consider is the HD5670 but it is going to be limited a good amount by your processor in a lot of games;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102870

 

[rockyjohn]

Note that the Dell 8400 (I used to have one) has a 350w PSU and the HD 5670 listed above requires a 400w PSU. However that should not be an issue as the THG review on the HD5670 showed the reference card requiring only 76w.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-5670,2533-17.html

You might also want to consider the GTS 450 which is a little more powerful and costs a little more – here is an EVGA one on sale for $90 (there are some for cheaper but they are lesser brands):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130572

and here is the THG review showing its performance as well as the power chart showing total system power under load at 219w.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gts-450-gf106-radeon-hd-5750,2734-13.html

Upgradevideocards.com has information on how to select video cards that you might find helpful. Note that they list the HD 5670 as an excellent card for non-gaming use and one that has a higher rating for light gaming.

http://www.upgradevideocards.com/index.html

 

[jyjjy]

The GTS 450 would be pointlessly overpowered for a Pentium 4 system. Even the HD5670 is probably a bit much like I said before.

 

[Gman450]

For a P4, I don't think any of those cards are going to go well. However, since HD 6670 doesn't require a power connector, going for that would be better sine the OP has a 350 W PSU.
Well, if you're looking forward to play games on this system, my suggestion is to build a new system.

 

[jyjjy]

For a P4, I don't think any of those cards are going to go well. However, since HD 6670 doesn't require a power connector, going for that would be better sine the OP has a 350 W PSU.

All HD6670s are PCI-E 2.1 which tend not to play well with 1.0 slots which is what the OP surely has(he is lucky it isn't AGP really.) Even if it did work it would still be pointless compared to the HD5670 considering his processor.

 

[Gman450]

Better build one then. I dint pay attention that he had a PCI-E X 16 1.0 slot. Putting in a 2.0 or 2.1 video card, means that the bandwidth gets decreased to half.

 

[jyjjy]

The bandwidth shouldn't matter much if at all on these cards. It's more the compatibility issues with the 2.1 cards that is the issue.
But yeah, he would of course be better off building a new PC. Doesn't have to cost that much. $300 or so will build a Phenom II x4 or Llano system but that may be $300 more than the OP has.

 

[ford44]

Your computer has a PCI-E x16 slot so it should be able to handle current cards. This is a good deal and appropriate for your processor;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131360
The most you should consider is the HD5670 but it is going to be limited a good amount by your processor in a lot of games;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102870

Thank you for the info...Judging from all the reply's, I would be best off building a new rig..but..I want to retain the old one for now. So, after reading all the reply's, is there a consensus that YOU can confirm for my needs? Again, Bioshock and Bioshock2 or games of that time frame. I realize the 8400 won't get to the newer games but my needs are small. I am cosidering the hd5670 you recomended. My choice will be determined by the experts...you. And don't take that lightly. I mean it in the highest way. It is just that information overload is setting in and I need just one person to advise me.

I think I overlooked something in my first request...I currently have an ATI 4350 in the machine. It barely play's Bioshock and after 8 months the parity error thing started. Could be I screwed something up. In couputer smarts I rank 2 on the 1 to 10 scale.
Bob

 

[jyjjy]

I'm not sure what you mean by parity error but yeah, the HD5670 would be a fine choice. With that card most games over... let's say 3-4 years old should run fairly well and some newer than that will be playable depending on how CPU dependent they are.

 

[ford44]

I meant parity check not parity error. Thank you and I believe I will get the 5670.

Bob

 

[rockyjohn]

Better build one then. I dint pay attention that he had a PCI-E X 16 1.0 slot. Putting in a 2.0 or 2.1 video card, means that the bandwidth gets decreased to half.

No, it does not get decreased in half. A PCIe 2.0 slot allows twice the bandwidth of PCIe 1.0. However, none of the cards being discussed come close to excedding the PCIe 1.0 bandwidth so they will not be affected at all - even if they are 2.0 cards. PCIe 1.0 and 2.0 are forward and backwards compatible for both cards and slots. The actual speed will be the slower of the card or slot. Mosts cards today, including all those except perhaps the top end cards, do not saturate or fully use the bandwidth of 1.0 slots so are not affected at all. The standard P67 motherboard used for the newer Intel CPUS all have slots that are x16 physically to accommodate the standard video card, but operate at x8 or half bandwidth. These means the standard PCIe 2.1 x16 graphic slots on the new motherboards have the same bandwidth as the old PCIe 1.0 x16 slots. For more information on PCIe slots and bandwidth, see:

http://www.upgradevideocards.com/pcie.html

 

[jyjjy]

The standard P67 motherboard used for the newer Intel CPUS all have slots that are x16 physically to accommodate the standard video card, but operate at x8 or half bandwidth.

I believe it is the P55 boards that have half speed PCI-E lanes, not P67.

 

[rockyjohn]

Ooops. Yes, jyjiy, thanks for catching and correcting my error on the board name.

But it is just the board name in error, the concept is still correct.