Dimension 4700 video card...

They should all work, and are all pretty good brands. BFG/3DFusion is probably the best (eVGA's been good too, although they had issues with their 7900GT cards...although they seemed to do a good job resolving the issues with people).

I'd look at Newegg.com too as they've got some starting around $145ish after rebate.

Wolf7,

Thanks very much for the reply.  That is exaclty what I needed to hear.  I plan to get a new system shortly after Vista and Microsoft Flight Simulator X are released- so I think I'll hold off on upgrading the PSU.

I found several matches for the video card you suggested.  Dell offers seven (7) different models.  They are located here:

 http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?s=gen&c=us&l=en&cs=&cat=prod&k=Geforce+7600GT

First off, will all of these work?

Secondly, which would you suggest?

Thanks for your time.

JW

Message Edited by whitakerjl on 08-06-200612:23 AM

I think the biggest issue will be the power supply. I think some people are using Geforce 7800/7900 cards with that PSU, but it's probably kind of pushing it (and all those cards use a lot less than an x1900).

Without upgrading the PSU, you should have no trouble with a Geforce 7600GT, which is kind of mid-range now (with "only" 12 pipes), and really packs a lot of power for the price. You can upgrade the PSU though...if I'm remembering right the 4700 dosen't have space for a power switch, so you'd be limited to PSUs without the switch, like that power pc and cooling PSU, or I think BFG makes one that might work?

In any case, with an upgraded PSU you can really put anything you want in there, and even without one you can use a 7600GT which is tons more powerful than an x550.

Wolf7,

You have been a great help!

Thanks for your time.

JW

tigerwolf7, would you have info or thoughts about the DVI issue that some video cards have? My 4700 is running with the X300 SE ATI card and I am having compatibility issues with my new HP monitor (when connecting through DVI). I believe the problem might be with the ATI cards but I am trying to confirm before upgrading my video card to solve the DVI compatibility issue. Thanks.

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@tigerwolf7 wrote:
They should all work, and are all pretty good brands. BFG/3DFusion is probably the best (eVGA's been good too, although they had issues with their 7900GT cards...although they seemed to do a good job resolving the issues with people).

I'd look at Newegg.com too as they've got some starting around $145ish after rebate.

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I've never heard of a compatibility problem with a new monitor or video card. An ancient Geforce 2 from like 2000 or early 2001 wouldn't output resolutions above 1024x768 through DVI, but that was when DVI was brand new. Never heard of it just not working.

Actually, it is not a matter of not working but having video quality issues or sleep mode issues. Sleep mode does not work for me and for some others, the monitor does not come out of sleep mode. One has concluded that the ATI cards had DVI compatibility issues. I am still trying to determine if I should change my video card to solve the issue and which one I should get. Thanks anyway tigerwolf7.

Here's one thread that talks about that (and other things):

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_monitor&message.id=52039

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@tigerwolf7 wrote:
I've never heard of a compatibility problem with a new monitor or video card. An ancient Geforce 2 from like 2000 or early 2001 wouldn't output resolutions above 1024x768 through DVI, but that was when DVI was brand new. Never heard of it just not working.

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Message Edited by dSly on 08-09-200602:23 PM

Message Edited by dSly on 08-09-200602:23 PM

Message Edited by dSly on 08-09-200602:24 PM

Make sure you're running ATi's newest drivers, to see if that helps anything. I haven't heard of sleep problems either.

Very strange. From that other thread it sounds like the card works fine with a Dell 1905? That's the main thing I'd suggest, try the monitor with a different computer/DVI port, and/or try a different monitor with that computer.

Windows sleep modes are flaky, and maybe the transmitter or reciever isn't reinitializing right? Or maybe it comes out of sleep at a higher refresh rate the monitor can't handle?

About the only other thing I can think of is making sure you install the newest INF file for the monitor, although it should really work with just plug and play. (And make sure the monitor is set to 60hz.)

Don't know if this thread has anything useful:
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_monitor&message.id=33721