Graphics Upgrade ??

[Dobson]

Hi, i'm a total nOOb to upgrading computers in general. Just wanted to see what recommendations i could get from the wisdom(?) fliying around this forum.

I have a Dell Dimension 4600
P4 3 Ghz (800Mhz fsb, HT)
512mb DDR400 (think that means ddr3200, 400Mhz?)
80Gb 7200rpm HD
Motherboard Unknown (its AGP 8x i know that!)
PSU Unknown (think its 250 watt)
CRT Monitor (looking to go LCD soon)
Current GPU is Geforce 5200 FX 128mb (has analogue and dvi connectors on it)

Computer runs fine with normal things, browsing the WWW, word processing etc etc.
Struggles to run graphics in Sid Meier's 'Pirates', 'Rome' Total War and MOH 'Pacific Assault' (in particular very slow). I've been told its most definitely the GPU slowing things up, although the basic RAM could be better if i add another 512mb.

Can anyone recommend a graphics card around £100 for this system ? I'm not looking to go PCI-E with a new mobo yet. Just getting my hand in with installing components etc.

Thanks for any help.

 

[bourgeoisdude]

If it's the newer Dimension 4600 you have a 285W PSU, otherwise it's 250W. If the latter I'd just get more memory and stick with the FX5200. If the first you could probably get a GeForce 6600 (non-gt). Remember though dell requires top-notch memory not any generic cheap stuff so ask around before buying if you decide to go that route.

Which 4600 do you have? If it has an onboard video connector--even if it is covered up--then you are in luck. If you have the first "unofficial" revision just live with the FX5200.

 

[cleeve]

Look for a Geforce 6600 or Radeon X1300. Both are out in AGP, the X1300 should be a bit cheaper, but the 6600 will be a bit better in games.

I doubt either of those cards will have a problem with the Dell power supply, as I suspect they're rated conservatively compared to generic power supplies.

Both cards are heads and tails above a 5200 though.

 

[Dobson]

Thanks for the advice guys. I know there are far better cards out there than the 6600 GT, but i'm just looking to start taking my comp apart and get used to building one/knowing the parts etc. (plus stop my current games from struggling).

I take it the normal 6600 card eats less power and gets less hot then ?

FYI : Current 3D Mark(2003) score = 868.

I'm aware this is quite low. Anyone have an idea what this value would increase to if i were to add the recommended normal 6600 nVidia card ?

Cheers.

 

[cleeve]

3dMark03? I'd guess a 6600 would get somewhere in the 6000 to 8000 range in 3dMark03.

(edit: I checked futuermark, a 6600 LE gets from 3000 to 6000. Not sure if the LE has a crippled memory bus though, but all futuremak lists is the 6600 LE and 6600 GT. Either way, it's a colossal jump from your 5200...)

 

[Dobson]

Thanks for the info Cleeve. I saw a review on *buyer that indicated a similar jump from around 1000 with a 5200 to 7600 ish with the 6600GT. So i guess whether i go 6600 or 6600 GT i'm winning.

I've been advised by a friend though to if possible:

1.Upgrade the PSU to a decent one (assuming my motherboard and anything else can take it - i wouldn't know)
2.Find a decent 6600GT that hasn't got bad reviews for overheating.

Hopefully this won't be too hard. I'll reply again once i've got further with it (uni finalist so might take some time!)

Thanks again.

 

[pauldh]

If you only have one optical drive and one hard drive, that Dell power supply should be fine for a decent upgrade. It is probably proprietary, so you'd have to order an expensive replacement, or an adapter like this one.

A Radeon 9600 pro or XT hardly uses any power. You'd have no problem with one of them. But you could probably go alot higher too.

Edit: I meant this link: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/gpu-consumption2006.html
A vanilla 6600 or 6800 would use less power than a 6600GT.

 

[KMBaron]

I JUST UPGRADED MY DELL 8250 AND REPLACED MY RADEON 9700PRO WITH A ALL IN WONDER X800 XT. WHICH DID IMPROVE THINGS ALOT. I THEN DOUBLED THE RAM FROM 512 TO 1024 A WEEK LATER AND THINGS GOT REALLY BETTER. IT APPEARS TO BE TRUE THAT RAM DOES NOWADAYS PLAY A HUGE ROLE WITH GAMES. I PLAY DOOM3, FARCRY, NFS-MOST WANTED AND HALFLIFE 2. ALL WITH MAX SETTINGS AND QUALITY NOW. I DID THINK FOR A WHILE MY 3 YEAR OLD PC WAS TO OLD EVEN WITH UPGRADES. BUT I GOT THE POWER NOW FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 2 YEARS.

 

[sweatlaserxp]

Hi Dobson,

By the way, if you're new to installing hardware, you absolutely need to use Driver Cleaner if you are planning on installing the card without re-installing Windows. Download it here. It's very straightforward to use.

Cheers,
Dave