Help on upgrading a graphics card on a Dell XPS 435

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jojalis

jojalis

Honorable
Sep 14, 2012
58
0
10,630
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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D3D9 Overlay: Not Supported
DXVA-HD: Not Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
 
Solution
andrewcarr
If you buy the parts yourself you can get a 7770 and a PSU for around $200 and a upgrade to a 7850 for about $250. Add in another $50 (at least) if you want a shop to install the parts for you.
PSU for both- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026
7770- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102968
7850- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202004

Just noticed this from your sig robjordy "The answer is 42 !" chuckling as my chemistry professor used that as part of his speech after students forgot to show units on some answers.
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Here it is a week later and I haven't done anything. The box from newegg is by the door still un-opened. I confess, I am nervous. However, I am about to open the box and do this thing right now. If anyone is out there, before I go taking things apart, do I have to uninstall any software first?
 
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You can if you want but I don't believe you have to since your old and new card are both AMD's.

Just follow the instructions you have and first remove old GPU then remove old PSU. After that you'll install the new PSU (if you want you can unplug and install cables directly after you take out the old one's, if you need to take a picture so you can't forget) then install the new GPU and attach the PSU's PCI-E connector to it. Reminder all of this should be done while the PC is unplugged (and I recommend laying it on its side on a non conductive table, so just nothing carpeted or with any fabric over it). Then you'd plug it in and turn it on and firstly install this.
http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/Pages/downloads.aspx
Then you should be good to go :) if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. Best of luck and you'll love the added performance. As long as you read the manuals you should be fine and if not you can always google it for a picture guide.

Replacing PSU
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/362
http://www.fonerbooks.com/r_power.htm

Replacing GPU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc81zcpPorM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh_rwIbVNrQ
http://www.pcworld.com/article/225823/how_to_upgrade_your_graphics_card.html
http://www.defcon-5.com/noc/video.cfm?docid=368
http://en.kioskea.net/faq/1692-changing-your-graphics-card

If you actually read through (and watch) all of those you should feel confident in what you're doing.
 
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thank you! I opened the box and have done nothing with the parts... Cold feet. Good idea to take a pic first, did that when I took my pool filter system apart for the first time - thanked the stars I did too once summer came back around. Anyway, I will be doing this now first thing in the morning. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help (and all others too...where'd the Dutchman go?), I will post something when it's done tomorrow and then I can close out this thread/post whatever it's called and call it a day!
 
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Well best of luck. Don't be too afraid and just take your time. After it's over you won't believe how easy it was. You'll be able to do something like this in the future and should feel confident. You may even want to build your next computer. I'd do something like that in under half an hour (I'd guess about 15-20 min). But you should just take your time even if it does take you over an hour.
 
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Help please? Took out the old GPU, no problem,, yay! Full of confidence... Making progress on the PSU, I was extremely nervous about unplugging everything and replugging with new stuff, so I took your advice (and the second link of instructions - yes read thru each of these in full!) and removed and replaced one by one. Cool, had some trouble removing one of the connectors from the mobo 🙂-) which was the one that was preventing me from moving the PSU out of the case. But got it done, oh so happy, everything will be easy now. Long story short(too late I know) The new PSU is smaller than the old one. So when I have it in place there is a gap in the back of the case. That can't be good, right? I will continue unplugging and replacing, but I am going to cry if I can't use this PSU.

















 
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The PSU is to spec some ATX PSU are different sizes though (for example a 1000W or higher is going to be bigger than a 500W). It'll still bolt into the back it is just a bit smaller. You'll have no problem with that.

Where is there a gap? Is it already screwed into the back of the case?
 
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Assuming the smaller size of my PSU is going to be ok, I finished installing/connecting everything - GPU too. Now the cable for my monitor doesn't fit. The GPU came withan extra/different one that I guess I can replace it with. My question is should I replace the connector port (no idea what the correct terminology is) on the GPU? Or should i get a new cable for my monitor that is compatible? One other Q, the PCI-E connector has a little extra 2 pin thing on the side, do I care about this?
 
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I didn't screw it in yet, I was afraid to. But the gap will be in the back of the case. I can try to upload a pic if you want.

 
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Ok, gonna try. It may take a few. But I'll be back
 
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Embarassingly, I do not know how to upload a pic here. It's asking for an url. Just so you know, none of the screws are going to fit to the case, lol. And the gap is going to be about 1/2 inch. I'll keep trying to fig out how to upload a pic, you can check it out after work (if you don;t mind).
 
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Wow, I am super embarassed, I had it upside down. So now, three of the screws can be done, that's progress. But there is still a gap, maybe i can make an url for the pic. No idea, lol.
 
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Well that's odd. Never run into that before. Dell must be using a different size than normal. It'll still work I guess you'll just be stuck with that. That PSU is the ATX standard height so I don't know what to tell you. I've done upgrades like this t HP but never had any problems.
 
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Thank you thank you thank you!!! Got it all done, crossed my fingers and powered up. And no explosions, everything went well after the PSU issue. The extra space doesn't seem to look as bad now that I have the case upright again. So I'll deal with it the way it is. Now whether or not dearest son will be happy with the new graphics is another thing - but he'd better be! So I keep getting emails as to which response was the best answer - but everyone was so helpful and I learned so much, it's hard to choose. Thank you to each and every person who was kind enough to go above and beyond and hold this newbie's hand through the whole process!
 
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Wow, so the boy is playing his game and I'm looking at it thinking, wow, totally new and awesome game. What an amazing difference, and the boy says ya it's much better. And I'm thinking, that's it? He has no idea all the effort of so many people to make it much better, I thought at least a hug for dear mama would be in order... Oh well. It is really some sweet graphics, makes mom want to play some computer games - any suggestions? Hey, but I've asked alot already, np if you need to move on! :wahoo:


 
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