Help on upgrading a graphics card on a Dell XPS 435

[jojalis]

First let me say I have done an extensive search on this topic but all the results I've found are far more technical than I can understand. Iam a complete noob on this hardware stuff but I am trying to help my son be able to play games such as minecraft and guild wars. Below is my current system (not sure if this is the relevant info needed). Can I upgrade my video card and if so how? I opened the case and I am uncertain about how to get the card out. Is it all one piece? Sorry when I hear the word 'card' I think something shaped like a card without the ports and stuff... Also my searches indicated that the power supply is important, I have no idea how to find out what mine is or again, how to upgrade that either.
If anyone can help out this total non-techie I would be very grateful! My son is bugging me for a whole new gaming PC, I hope I dont have to


System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 9/14/2012, 10:29:49
Machine name: FAMILY-PC
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120503-2030)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: DELL Inc.
System Model: Studio XPS 435T/9000
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 920 @ 2.67GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 3072MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3062MB RAM
Page File: 1861MB used, 4262MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 5450
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x68F9)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_68F9&SUBSYS_010E1028&REV_00
Display Memory: 2291 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1015 MB
Shared Memory: 1275 MB
Current Mode: 1600 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Dell ST2010
Monitor Model: DELL ST2010
Monitor Id: DELF018
Native Mode: 1600 x 900(p) (59.978Hz)
Output Type: HD15
Driver Name: atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.14.0010.0716 (English)
Driver Version: 8.682.1.0
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 12/10/2009 17:48:00, 4684288 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-2BB9-11CF-5471-0421A1C2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x68F9
SubSys ID: 0x010E1028
Revision ID: 0x0000
Driver Strong Name: oem29.inf:ATI.Mfg.NTamd64.6.0:ati2mtag_Evergreen:8.682.1.0😛ci\ven_1002&dev_68f9&subsys_010e1028
Rank Of Driver: 00E60001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
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{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
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D3D9 Overlay: Not Supported
DXVA-HD: Not Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

We all do No Newegg is cheapest most of the times, didn't find a better site yet for the USA and i'm pretty good at finding good deals.

 

[andrewcarr]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-660-geforce-gtx-650-benchmark,3297-24.html
7870 is ahead of the 660 😱 ...

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

Not always ; http://nl.hardware.info/reviews/3121/10/nvidia-geforce-gtx-660-a-gtx-660-sli-review-kepler-naar-229-euro-battlefield-3

Shut up :lol: I love Nvidia, i love Nvidia, i love Nvidia.

 

[andrewcarr]

No newegg is just the site I normally buy part from.
But you can look on http://pcpartpicker.com/ you can normally find the best through them.
PSU- http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cmpsu430cxv2
7770- http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-112010220g
7850- http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-1003551gocl

Or if you want to go all out you can go even better
PSU- http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cmpsu500cxv2
7870- http://pcpartpicker.com/part/his-video-card-h787q2g2m
or (if first is still out of stock) 7870- http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-hd7870dc22gd5
7950- http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-100352sr
7970- http://pcpartpicker.com/part/his-video-card-h797qm3g2m

 

[Deemo13]

I prefer Newegg as well. They seem to have the best prices around and the most reliable service.

 

[maui67]

The fan only makes it float, it's to heavy for the motherboard.

I apologize to the OP but I really have nothing to add to this thread. I stumbled upon it and was entertained by the back-and-forth of walking a Mom through the insides of a computer. You guys did a great job and kudos to a very brave and adventurous Mom.

But the post above nearly split my sides! Absolutely the funniest post I have ever read on these forums!

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

Your humble servant ( taking a deep bow )

Great thread indeed, made my day, specially the part where i thought she just pulled the P2 plug from the, i thought, working mobo. Adrenaline rush ! Never typed so fast in my life. :lol:

 

[jojalis]

Your humble servant ( taking a deep bow )

Great thread indeed, made my day, specially the part where i thought she just pulled the P2 plug from the, i thought, working mobo. Adrenaline rush ! Never typed so fast in my life. :lol:

btw - also my first ever forum posting! But I got to tell ya, when you said the fan helps it to float, at first I thought ha ha, but then no one else explained why there was a fan, I figured it must be true! I read things literally! Not one post - with the exception of my own - made me feel stupid. I guess this thread is over.It's so hard to say goodbye

 

[Deemo13]

Well, I wish you the best of luck in your graphics card changing endeavors!

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

LoL.

Sorry for that, couldn't resist. I made a reply after that that it was bs ( bull sh... ) but another one came in between so that wasn't very clear.

I would have been bad if you would have said that to your son ; gone is your credibility.

No the fan on a gpu ( video card or graphics processing unit ) makes the data go faster around the whole gpu, the whole device.

Like a turbo on a car.

 

[jojalis]

LoL.

Sorry for that, couldn't resist. I made a reply after that that it was bs ( bull sh... ) but another one came in between so that wasn't very clear.

I would have been bad if you would have said that to your son ; gone is your credibility.

No the fan on a gpu ( video card or graphics processing unit ) makes the data go faster around the whole gpu, the whole device.

Like a turbo on a car.

Don't be sorry, I don't take myself too seriously.And it was pretty funny after all. But Now I am wary...are you messing with me again?... I thought fans were for cooling

 

[Deemo13]

Don't be sorry, I don't take myself too seriously.And it was pretty funny after all. But Now I am wary...are you messing with me again?... I thought fans were for cooling

LOL

 

[jojalis]

Sure, pick on the 'youngster' So robjordy was testing my gullibility again? 😛

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

You don't go to for hell lying to a mum i hope 😗 ( lying to a nun will of course, i hope i get away with a mum )

Yes, i'm definitely messing with you :lol: You figured it out yourself, it's for cooling. I guessed you are smart enough not to fall for my nonsense.

Would have laughed, euh, something off though if you would have said that to your son.

I know ; i'm a . . . .

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

Sure, pick on the 'youngster' So robjordy was testing my gullibility again? 😛

i have nothing but respect for you and i mean that, you go where only few women dare to go !

 

[jojalis]

i have nothing but respect for you and i mean that, you go where only few women dare to go !

I think you're the funniest ever! Life is no fun if you can't laugh at yourself. Thanks for your respect, I was nervous when I first posted. But everyone was real sweet, so no going to heck for you. At least not for this!

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

Pffff, got scared i offended you with the bs.

Please let us know if you have decided what your going to do and specially report back when everything is installed, would be nice to know. If your son still isn't happy ( and very, very grateful ) after that let us talk to him . . . 😉

Really liked doing this thread, thank you for that.

 

[jojalis]

Oh please, you think I am done here?? lol! As Arnie would say "I'll be back" Hey are you in Europe really? Isn't it like 2:00am there? You are an addict!

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

Like the title says. :lol: Junked to the bone . . .

I was just going to say that i better go to bed ; my lovely ( also game addicted ) son has his first badminton tournament tomorrow morning and i want to see it.

Do feel welcome to "be Back" ; i'll start thinking of more bullcrap to mess with your mind. 😀 ( though i got a feeling thats not gonna work anymore, meh )

Bye for now . . .

 

[delluser1]

Funny thread
If the system has the 475w, the 12v is 32 amps combined, and it should have dual 6 pin connectors
System was sold with cards such as 4870, 5870, GTX 260,and GTX 460
A 7770 wouldn't come close to requiring a psu upgrade

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

Ah, the voice of ( Dell ) wisdom. Still didn't finish that cigar eh ? Long time no see.

If the 7770 can run on it, so can the 660, can it ? ( pushing Nvidia again )

 

[andrewcarr]

Wait a few days AMD will have more price cuts and once again all NVidia GPU will be overpriced (although that's how all of AMD's were at one point).

 

[delluser1]

Ah, the voice of ( Dell ) wisdom. Still didn't finish that cigar eh ? Long time no see.

If the 7770 can run on it, so can the 660, can it ? ( pushing Nvidia again )

Supposedly a 130 watt card, shouldn't be a problem

 

[jojalis]

Ok everybody, today is the big day! I'll be taking apart stuff in my computer and replacing it with other stuff. I chose to upgrade with the Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 and a new power supply Corsair CX430V2. I just clicked on the links from andrewcarr's post - so I'm trusting in your judgement and good links, lol. Well, that's all for now it's 4:30am at the moment and I won't get to this until sometime after 3:00pm or so. I plan on just opening the case and replacing wire for wire, seems simple to me, but it sounds almost too easy! If anyone thinks of any roadblocks that may get in my way, please share.... TY!

 

[andrewcarr]

Don't worry their good parts.

Well the correct wires only fit in the correct spots so it isn't too hard. You'll have to connect the main motherboard 20-24 pin connector. Then the CPU fan power connector. Then the HDD and Optical drive should take two SATA power connectors. The fans on the case will either be connected to the motherboard (and you won't have to move them) or connected to the PSU by molex connectors. Then the GPU has a PCI-E 6 pin connector (on PSU it's a 6+2 so the 2 section will just be hanging). The rest of the cables are extra.

Refer to this for pictures of the listed connectors (not all PCI-E connectors are red).
http://benchmarkreviews.com/images/reviews/power/Kingwin_ABT-800MA1S/ABT-800MA1S_Connectors.jpg
Wish you the best of luck.