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NEED Video Card Help for Dimension 8400
I have a:
Dell Dimension Desktop 8400:
- Pentium 4 Prescott DT 530 3.0GHZ 1MEGB 800FSB processor w/HT Technology and 1MB Cache
-1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz,
- 128MB PCI Express X16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X300 SE
- 160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
- Intel Pro 1000 Integrated PCI NIC Card
- 16X DVD-ROM & 16X DVD+/-RW
- 350 watt power output
Now here is my problem. I just found out that my x300 video card stinks and I want to get a bigger one. I'm wanting something in the range of an x800, 6600GT, or 6800GT PCI-Express but I can't get a clear answer on these questions:
1) Is my power supply big enough to run these video cards (not just the minumum but run them efficiently)?
2) Which of these cards (or any others) do you preferr that I get with my setup?
3) Is my computer capably of handling a video card of this size? (According to the online Dell person......It can only handle a 423XT, which seems like bull to me).
4) Should I get an extra fan to draw air flow in/out of the tower becaise of the high temps?
5) Where do I go to get the correct software (if any) to run these video cards?
6) I was told to go to this website to get a bigger power supply that is compatible with Dell computers (http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/power_supplies/dell/.) but I can't find one that includes the dimension 8400 as compatible. Can you let me know where to get a bigger power supply if not from here?
7) Is http://www.newegg.com the best place to get video cards or is there another site? Also Does Dell sell any higher video cards (like maybe an x800) any cheaper?
I was on a different forum trying to find out these questions but I'm gettign mixed reviews. Finally someone mentioned that there was a Dell forum and that the people on here new "their computers". I hope you can help.
Message Edited by shorty001 on 08-23-2005 04:07 PM
Brainonska511
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Posted August 23rd, 2005 21:00
1. Yes
2. The 6800GT is the best of the three.
3. Yes
4. Possibly. When you plug the new card in and first boot the computer, it may tell you to install a card fan (as described in this post: click). If you want, you can also install a PCI slot fan (if the temps get to high for you).
5. You just need to download the driver from Nvidia's or ATI's website.
6. If you needed to upgrade the PSU (which in this case is not required), you would need to do a little case modding to fit a standard ATX12V PSU in a Dim.8400 since the back is not open for a switch.
7. Dell sells video cards, but they will be more expensive then the stuff found on Newegg.- Thanks Brainonska511 , You seem to know what your talking about. I finally got an answer to my power output question. I was fighting all day with an online Dell representative who kept saying the biggest video card I could put in my system was a 423XT and I even asked him about upgrading the power supply then he finally said thats what I would have to do to get something bigger.Are you running on 350watt with your video card? If so how has it worked for you?A couple more questions:1) If for some reason I don't have enough power what will be the symptoms that I will notice?2) What is the better manufacturer's to try and get and with what cards (x700, x800, 6600GT, 6800GT)?I just don't want to spend alot of money and not get something that I like
- That is so funny about the 423XT. I was told over & over that that video card was the most my computer could handle. This after arguing onling with him that somehow I can order a Dimension 5100 with a x600 256MB and somehow my Dimension 8400 can only handle a 423XT?????? Dell needs to get better online help.I'm glad I talked to you guys. If I hadn't I would've spent $150 on a bigger PSU (which I still might).So as of now it appears all I need is to get 6800GT and and auxillary blower fan and I should be set. I'm going to look at some other video cards though. Not sure if I need a 6800GT nor am I sure I want to spend $300.Also if I get a video card, I need to get one that says "PCI-Express X16" right? I was told thats the only one that is compatible with my Dell. Is there anything inportant to look at on these cards (like clock speed, memory clock, TV-Out, etc)?
Message Edited by shorty001 on 08-23-2005 06:57 PM
tigerwolf7
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Posted August 23rd, 2005 22:00
There is no such thing as a 423XT, so that should tell you something right there...
Avoid the x700. It's less powerful and buggier than Nvidia's part for the same price.
For Nvidia, BFG, MSI, Leaktek, Asus, eVGA and some others can all be good. For ATi either ATi branded or Saphire.
Lack of power might cause spontaneous reboots during games and/or messages telling you your card's performance has been reduced. But the 350 watt PSU in your system can handle any current cards (probably-I haven't actually seen anyone use a 7800GTX yet, but it should theoretically work fine).tigerwolf7
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Posted August 24th, 2005 01:00
Yeah, PCI Express x16 is the newest standard, and is what your system uses.
Looks like $269-309 gets you a Geforce 6800GT or Radeon x800xl (the Geforce is generally better, although some games the Radeon outperforms it).
$200 after rebate gets you a Geforce 6800
$145-200 gets a Geforce 6600GT and a few x800gt's in the same price range.
The Geforce 6600GT is supposed to have a 128-bit memory interface. All the other cards are supposed to have 256-bit interfaces, so anything less and it's a crippled version.
You can kind of tell from looking at a bunch of models on Newegg what the clock speeds are supposed to be, feel free to post if you've got questions about a specific model. They're mostly all the same, but you'll find some factory overclocked versions (where the manufacter clocks it faster than normal and warrents it to run like that) and some crippled versions that run the memory or core slower than normal.- I was thinking somone said that a particular video card has a lifetime warrenty (I'm thinking ones from BFG or something like that), any thoughts on that? If I get the 6800GT, will I just be able to take out my current video card and plug this one in or will I need some adapters or something? Also where at on Dell's website do I update my BIOS and drivers to be able to run the new video card? What is the difference between the 6800 and the 6800GT except $100?
Message Edited by shorty001 on 08-23-2005 09:43 PM
- Ok, I'm looking at the specs for the 6800GT and everything seems good except for this quote: "Two available hard disk drive power dongles (smaller floppy disk drive connector is not sufficient)".What does that mean and how do I tell if I have the 2?
- Hi,Ihave an 8400 almost exactly like yours only its 3.2ghz. I had the x300se card. I upgraded with a Leadtek px6600gt extreme edition and it installed easy. The card is great and I have no problems.I am a gamer and this is really plenty powerful and all you need,trust me. I got it at newegg.com and they are selling it for around 169.00. The px6600gt extreme is overclocked when you get it and can be overclocked a little more safely.They also have the non-extreme card wich would be fine too. Either card would be a gigantic step above the x300. I got like 40 FPS on half life video stress test with the x300. I get 120 with the 6600gt. Get it at newegg.com and after you install it make sure to go to nvidia.com to get updated driver. You wont need to worry about the PSU and it doesnt run hot either.The card comes with winfox2 and has a lot of features,like a hardware monitor you can bring up to check the tempurature of your graphics card. I am glad I got it instead of spending more for the 6800. No matter wich one you get I would get a nvidia card though not an ati.
Message Edited by bigowb on 08-24-2005 01:50 AM
- Thanks guys, I just got done ordering my new video card based on your recommendations and reviews. I went with the BFG 6800XT and I just got the auxilary blower fan from dell just in case this card would run a little hotter than I want. I guess anything would be better than my x300 but I think I made a good choice. Now I can't wait for the gaming to begin!
HTT Good HT Bad
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Posted August 23rd, 2005 20:00