need graphics card help - Page 2 - Blu-ray Forum

sega_smasher · 05-20-2009, 08:09 PM

thank you good sir. looks like a BTX (blegh!)

well lucky for me it uses ATX PSU's and the 375w is actually underrated, it works more like a 400w (thank you dell forums). others have got higher end cards into the same machine with no issues. i've made my choice on the xfx 9800 gt. thanks for all the help guys/gals!

mods, you can close this if you wish.

once again, thanks!

bluflu · 05-21-2009, 12:45 AM

I don't know about using it for HTPC or gaming, but I use an EVGA 9800GT in a Dell Optiplex GX280 with 305W PSU, PCI-E 1.0 spec. for Folding@Home. I think it has the new 55nm chips and it never draws more than 200W at full blast. Runs relatively quiet and cool too. It comes with a 6 pin to dual 4 pin hard drive power adapter. Just make sure you have enough space. This baby is about 10" long with power connector.

sega_smasher · 05-21-2009, 02:22 AM

yeah thats why i'm not worried about my psu. the system will be fine i beleive. even with a limited psu.

rdodolak · 05-21-2009, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sega_smasher

is there anyway to check my spec? i'm almost positive its 2.0 but before i buy a card i want to make sure i know what i'm getting into. and i am thinking of upgrading the 400w supply anyway so... thats not TOO important but definatley something i'm looking into.

According to Dell the XPS 400 motherboard is PCIe 2.0 compliant. The specs shows a bus throughput of 500MB/s per lane while v1.x only supports 250MB/s.

Specs can be found here:

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1053343

sega_smasher · 05-21-2009, 05:01 AM

wow. thanks.

this is awesome.

goracer · 05-21-2009, 07:03 AM

You can get a good replacement PSU from PC Power & Cooling and they have a compatibility chart for Dell. As far as a card if you don't want to upgrade the PSU, look for one that does not have a fan that requires one or two power connections. Get as high a model as possible with a heat sink and you won't have to worry about the PSU upgrade.

SpoonMaN · 05-21-2009, 04:51 PM

for starters, just get the 4850, it is a great card.
second thing is that the pci-e specs are fully backward and forward compatible which means that a pci-e 1.0 card will work in a 2.0 slot and a 2.0 card will work in a 1.0 slot, and as for the speed of each lane....this doesnt matter much yet as we arent maxing them out with current video cards.

juicerx8 · 05-21-2009, 06:29 PM

your PSU should be more than adiquate for blu-ray plauback and mild gaming, My card is rated for 250w min but runs fine on my 160w PSU. I'm not saying don't upgrade the PSU, just saying, you might not have to.

blckman · 05-22-2009, 10:29 PM

I've read every response here and I would've helped you look up your specs as well and post them. Now, your PC is fine. As long as it has dual-core support than fine. I would put a 500w power supply in it. I bought an Antec Basiq 500w for $24.99 at microcenter here in Tustin,CA. I have this nack for finding wonderful deals by being patient or just shopping around before I decide to purchase any item. Or just go to newegg.com, pricewatch.com, or microcenter.com and compare prices. Secondly, everyone is talking about ATI cards still. I used to love ATI. I will say this once again. I personally don't like ATI cards anymore because they never can get their driver issues in order. At least you know with an Nvidia card they are updating and improving their drivers like every other month. That's just my personal opinion. If you haven't as well, rock this system out with the max 4Gb of ram it can allow. Good luck bro.

NATEDOG0215 · 05-23-2009, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sega_smasher

so i'm running on a Dell XPS 400 that is running a really crappy ATI X300 card. it is PCI-E slot so i know my upgrade possibilities are good however...i am limited by a 400w PSU. i REALLY want to get me a 9800gt

http://www.nvidia.com/object/product...9800gt_us.html

that bad boy

but want to know if my PC can handle it. if you need to see my specs, i can post it via CPU-Z. thanks...i really want to turn this into a HTPC before i move out and also will set myself up for building a better gaming computer. thanks for any help guys! if you need me to post anything to help you out just let me know!

Get a ATI 4850HD or 4870HD, more bang for the buck!

05-22-2009, 10:29 PM	#29
blckman Member Member since:Oct 2008	Safe Side I've read every response here and I would've helped you look up your specs as well and post them. Now, your PC is fine. As long as it has dual-core support than fine. I would put a 500w power supply in it. I bought an Antec Basiq 500w for $24.99 at microcenter here in Tustin,CA. I have this nack for finding wonderful deals by being patient or just shopping around before I decide to purchase any item. Or just go to newegg.com, pricewatch.com, or microcenter.com and compare prices. Secondly, everyone is talking about ATI cards still. I used to love ATI. I will say this once again. I personally don't like ATI cards anymore because they never can get their driver issues in order. At least you know with an Nvidia card they are updating and improving their drivers like every other month. That's just my personal opinion. If you haven't as well, rock this system out with the max 4Gb of ram it can allow. Good luck bro.

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05-20-2009, 08:09 PM	#21
sega_smasher Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Santa Monica, CA PSN: SecretAgentHam Blu-ray collection:103 Trading Score:1	thank you good sir. looks like a BTX (blegh!) well lucky for me it uses ATX PSU's and the 375w is actually underrated, it works more like a 400w (thank you dell forums). others have got higher end cards into the same machine with no issues. i've made my choice on the xfx 9800 gt. thanks for all the help guys/gals! mods, you can close this if you wish. once again, thanks!

05-21-2009, 12:45 AM	#22
bluflu Special Member Member since:Mar 2007	I don't know about using it for HTPC or gaming, but I use an EVGA 9800GT in a Dell Optiplex GX280 with 305W PSU, PCI-E 1.0 spec. for Folding@Home. I think it has the new 55nm chips and it never draws more than 200W at full blast. Runs relatively quiet and cool too. It comes with a 6 pin to dual 4 pin hard drive power adapter. Just make sure you have enough space. This baby is about 10" long with power connector.

05-21-2009, 02:22 AM	#23
sega_smasher Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Santa Monica, CA PSN: SecretAgentHam Blu-ray collection:103 Trading Score:1	yeah thats why i'm not worried about my psu. the system will be fine i beleive. even with a limited psu.

05-21-2009, 05:01 AM	#25
sega_smasher Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Santa Monica, CA PSN: SecretAgentHam Blu-ray collection:103 Trading Score:1	wow. thanks. this is awesome.

05-21-2009, 07:03 AM	#26
goracer New Member Member since:May 2009	You can get a good replacement PSU from PC Power & Cooling and they have a compatibility chart for Dell. As far as a card if you don't want to upgrade the PSU, look for one that does not have a fan that requires one or two power connections. Get as high a model as possible with a heat sink and you won't have to worry about the PSU upgrade.

05-21-2009, 04:51 PM	#27
SpoonMaN Member Member since:Feb 2009	for starters, just get the 4850, it is a great card. second thing is that the pci-e specs are fully backward and forward compatible which means that a pci-e 1.0 card will work in a 2.0 slot and a 2.0 card will work in a 1.0 slot, and as for the speed of each lane....this doesnt matter much yet as we arent maxing them out with current video cards.

05-21-2009, 06:29 PM	#28
juicerx8 Junior Member Member since:Apr 2009	your PSU should be more than adiquate for blu-ray plauback and mild gaming, My card is rated for 250w min but runs fine on my 160w PSU. I'm not saying don't upgrade the PSU, just saying, you might not have to.

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