Buy a video card or new computer?

3647, video

I'm not an expert on the 3647, but I think there are different versions. Can you take a pic of the machine with the cover off so we can see the case and the power supply. Take a closeup of the power supply.

Also, which core i5, and how much RAM.

There is a good chance the system can be upgraded, but it is best to know for sure the starting point.

adding a decent graphics card to an i5 system can bring you an instant gaming machine normally but with the inspiron 3647 you are limited by low profile case, small 220w power supply, and the tight space inside for a graphics card.  there is one card that will give him about a 20% boost in graphics performance and that is the r7 240 and specifically this one that will fit inside the tiny computer case:  

www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx

it only uses around 25w, comes with low profile brackets needed, and will barely fit inside.  i picked this one specifically because the heat sink isnt wider than the card itself ... the cheaper r7 240 by MSI have a larger heat sink that won't fit in the case.  don't expect a huge difference but it will get him better frame rates at the same settings he is using now.

you also might wait for a second opinion to confirm what i said or might have a better suggestion

i just thought of another option that fits your the system's needs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133542&ignorebbr=1

Thanks for you responses.  I don't have access to the computer but did find the type of i5 and RAM by getting the service tag.

PROCESSOR, HSW, I5-4440S, 2.8, 65W, L, C0

8GB RAM

I don't recognize anything  on the configuration list as a PSU.

Here is the full list:

CK4DP : MOD,SW,DPK,WB32/64

00009 : Information,Generic,Part Number

4V9T3 : Module,Chassis,Pwa Integrated, W/BZL,Non Pfc,3647

2VM6H : Module,Hard Drive,1T,S3,7.2K,# 1,WD-XL1000

6C92G : Module,Screw,M2X3, QTY 1,Wirel ess

6PMJ3 : MOD,CRD,NTWK,DW1705,FXCN,WW

CF5MG : Module,Dual In-Line Memory Mod ule,8GB,2X4G,1600,N-E

FHJKR : Module,Processor,HSW,I5-XXXX,I NS

NH6GG : MOD,LBL,INTEL,CI5,SML

TKYGP : Module,Dvd+/-Rw,16X,Half Heigh t,Common,Hitachi Lg Data Stora ge

WW8GW : Module,Thermal,Heatsink,PV/SR

68CGP : Module,Software,Microsoft,Gml Inc,Operating System,W8,Consum er

CM3MD : Module,Label,Regulatory,Non Pf c,JSD2,3647

J56FG : Module,Mouse,Universal Serial Bus,Ship In Box,Logitech,MS111

J929K : Ship Group,Label,Barcode,BOX,6 20,Dell Americas Organization

KG01J : MOD,GDE,PROD,MUI,SERI,DAO,W8/7

KRJ43 : Module,Shipping Material,PNVLY ,Slim Form Factor,Dell America s Organization

MR54P : Module,Placemat,Inspiron,Deskt op,3647,W8,Global

N971H : Module,Cord,Power,125V,2M,C13 United States

VW15X : Module,Label,RETAIL,Dell Compu ter Corporation,RETURNPOL

XCR9H : Module,Keyboard,104,United Sta tes,KB113,W8,Ship In Box

XP4WP : Module,Label,Print On Demand,C FIG,8X5,Inch,Vostro,Storage Pr ocessor

0V0DG

PSU Sticker Photo

Sorry about the upside one, I don't seem to be able to rotate it.

Computer Internals

The Inspiron 3647 SFF (small form factor) Slim Desktop does not have a internal power supply unit. See the picture below.

It uses an external AC power adapter =
1XRN1 65w Delta
0W6KV 90w Delta

The validated low profile PCIe x16 video cards were =
NVIDIA GeForce GT 625
NVIDIA GeForce GT 635
NVIDIA GeForce GT 705