New graphics card for my Dell XPS, max dc output 375w

[profexxor]

Hi all

I am considering upgrading my graphics card.

Specs of my Dell are:

XPS 430 : Intel Core 2 Quad-Core Q8300 (2.5GHz, 1333MHz, 4MB) 1
Memory : 8192MB (4x2048) 1067MHz DDR3 Dual Channel 1
Hard Drive 1TB Serial ATA Non Raid (2x500GB) 7200Rpm Dual HDD Config 1
Optical Drive : 16X DVD+/-RW Drive 1
Graphics : 512MB ATI Radeon 4850 Graphics card 1
Audio Integrated HDA 7.1 Dolby Digital capability

The power details: combined power on +12va and +12vb rails not exceed 360w. Max DC output shall not exceed 375w.

I am looking for the best possible upgrade of my current card, which I can connect using the current 6pin power cable.

Any support is appreciated!!

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

Hd 6670.

 

[ilysaml]

Welcome to the Forums,
As long as you won't be overclocking i can say that a HD 6850 will fit in your machine without any problem.

A system with HD 6850 consumes 278W in full GPU stress.. no need to worry.
Even HD 6870 will fit, but that will require 2 x 6pin PCIE and your PSu does only have one, so running the other on a molex adapter is not safe

 

[profexxor]

Thanks for the suggestion. I checked this one at MyCom.NL: Sapphire Videokaart Radeon 6850,1GB

It states that minimum 500w is required. Does it matter which vendor it comes from?

(or do they just overstate the specs??)

 

[profexxor]

ps. where can I check whether I have 75W 6-pin PCI Express® power connectors ... did not see this info on my power supply

 

[ilysaml]

AMD determines 500W as system power because they know that most cheap PSUs don't deliver the written wattage, for eg. a 350W cheap PSU delivers only 250-275W and so......
Power consumption for the HD 6850/70
http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-6850-6870-review/10
Power consumption for GTX 580
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-580-review/7

If you're asking about the brand, Asus, Sapphire, HIS or Gigabyte are all great manufactures but Sapphire is the best partner for AMD and i have been using their products since the Radeon X1900

 

[ilysaml]

Well as your PSU is a DELL OEM you won't find any specs on it but it looks like this

 

[profexxor]

OK so I went out and bought the HD 6850 after an evening of BF3 (and some games of LOL), I can confirm that so far everything seems to be working fine.

Most settings in BF3 are on high and FPS does not drop under 40. More importantly, my PC is not exploding....

Thanks for the advice!!