Please Help with Video Card Upgrade

[Phil from Loreauville]

Hello,
Could really use some help choosing a new video card.
I have an old Dell Dimension 9150, 3.0 Ghz Pentium D with an anemic Geforce 7300 le as the GPU.
I've read several posts here and elsewhere that I can get away with fairly decent video card despite the 375 watt PSU. I'm just trying to decide on which card.
I'm looking at something along the lines of an 8800 or 9600 gt or the ATI 4670.
Kinda leaning towards the 4670 due to the lower power consumption.
Any recommendations as far as these go, or something else?
I'm not much of a power gamer. I like the Total war series (Empire is very sluggish even on low settings as of now), but I'd really like to play Call of Duty 4. That's about my only requirements.
Couple of other things.
Has anyone had trouble putting a dual-slot PCI express card in this machine? There are some resistors to the immediate left of the PCI-express slot and I can't help but wonder if they would get in the way of a big fan.
And, I'm hoping to build another rig in the near future. If possible, I'd like this card to be able to put in the new system and perhaps even do the "Dual Card" thing.

Thanks.

 

[hundredislandsboy]

Go with the ATI 4670 so you don't worry about the power issue as Dell isn't known for quality PSUs. Go with an XFX card for the lifetime warranty just in case.

 

[coozie7]

A HD4670 would be a nice upgrade but if you want to carry it over to another build and Crossfire later the HD4770 is a far better choice.
Yes, it'll run, it only draws *just* enough power to need a single 6 pin PCI-E connector.

 

[Phil from Loreauville]

One more quick question...................................
Is there a noticeable performance difference between 512 MB and 1 GB memory?

 

[coozie7]

Just price, cards of this performance bracket can't really use the extra memory effectively, only pay a few dollars more for the extra memory, because it will only give you a small increase in performance.

 

[Phil from Loreauville]

.............
Phil, you can run the 9800GT/8800GT (same card) but your CPU may bottleneck it a bit. The 9600GT is great choice also. Either card will be perfect for Total War.

Thanks.
I realize that the CPU is sub-par, hence my hopes of just building a new system soon.

 

[hundredislandsboy]

as usual idiots post dribble without doing any research, Dell is know for having plenty of amps on their PSU and for being conservative on their watts. I suggest you stop posting and rid us of your stupidity.

The Dell 375w has 30amps on its 12v and far exceeds 375w at peak watts. Plenty of people on this board use it to power the 8800GTS, 4850, 9800GT/8800GT.

Phil, you can run the 9800GT/8800GT (same card) but your CPU may bottleneck it a bit. The 9600GT is great choice also. Either card will be perfect for Total War.

Yes. All the Pros here recommend not to build your own or shop your own PSU. Everyone knows it's just better to buy Dell and soon Dell PSUs will be the best selling power suppliy because Dell is the best, lol.

I suggest you get back on your meds or get a stronger prescription because you are having episodes yet again.

 

[hundredislandsboy]

Well now, I guess we know who the Dell fanboy is who keeps up with Dell PSUs, lol.

Keep spouting about Dell's high quality pre-built systems and maybe you can help their stock go up, lol again.

 

[randomizer]

If you want to have an argument then at least post some evidence (and better yet take it to PMs). Otherwise cut the crap and just answer the OP's questions.

 

[hundredislandsboy]

Hello,
Could really use some help choosing a new video card.
I have an old Dell Dimension 9150, 3.0 Ghz Pentium D with an anemic Geforce 7300 le as the GPU.
I've read several posts here and elsewhere that I can get away with fairly decent video card despite the 375 watt PSU. I'm just trying to decide on which card.
I'm looking at something along the lines of an 8800 or 9600 gt or the ATI 4670.
Kinda leaning towards the 4670 due to the lower power consumption.
Any recommendations as far as these go, or something else?
I'm not much of a power gamer. I like the Total war series (Empire is very sluggish even on low settings as of now), but I'd really like to play Call of Duty 4. That's about my only requirements.
Couple of other things.
Has anyone had trouble putting a dual-slot PCI express card in this machine? There are some resistors to the immediate left of the PCI-express slot and I can't help but wonder if they would get in the way of a big fan.
And, I'm hoping to build another rig in the near future. If possible, I'd like this card to be able to put in the new system and perhaps even do the "Dual Card" thing.

Thanks.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_9600gt_us.html
http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_8800_gt_us.html

Nvidia recommends minimum 400 watt PSU for the 9600 GT and 8800 cards. If you go by their recommendation, it limits your upgrade options.

 

[delluser1]

I have stated the PSU, made by Seasonic, has 30 amps and peaks above the stated 375w.

They are made by Newton, a subsidiary of Delta Electronics.