Dimension 9100 graphics card upgrade from ATI Radeon X300...recommendations?

My system came with the x300 video, but I immediately ditched it for a nvidia 6600gt which I ran for a few months. Then I realized I needed something with more power so I picked up a nvidia 7800gt which I am still running with no problems. I can't comment on ati video cards because I don't have experience with them, but you should be able to use ati or nvidia. If I recall correctly I do seem to remember some kind of problem with that video card on that system, but I'm not really sure so maybe someone else can comment. If you were to switch to a nvidia card it would be wise to check back and make sure you use the proper ati uninstall procedure as you would need to use a driver cleaner after uninstalling the ati drivers to remove any leftover ati stuff.

What ever you do, follow the below suggestion in swapping out cards....

Proper install of a video card: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=965852

Download the most current driver, and have it placed on the desktop for later install. www.nvidia.com  driver site, if it’s a nVidia card, or www.ati.com  driver site, if it’s a ati card.

Going from an ATI card to NVIDIA or vs. versa, one should uninstall the old driver first, from Add/Remove program, than use a driver cleaner, to get all the old driver code completely off the system. Use the driver cleaner twice.


http://www.drivercleaner.net/  Driver Cleaner Pro download site,

1. Turn off the system, unplug the power cord, and push in on the systems power button for about 5 seconds to discharge the system further.

2. Remove the old card, and install the new card, firmly. Attach if required, any power cable to the card, and to a power connector on your system. ( Some, not all, cards need a Molex Y power cable connected to the rear of the video card, and the other end to a power connector to get the video card to work )

3. Plug the power cable back in, and reboot the system. You may notice that the monitor screen is larger now. Not to worry if this happens.

4. Disable your anti virus software, and disconnect the modem.

5. Install the newer video card driver from the desktop, than if necessary; go into the Display Properties to reset the monitor resolution. You are almost done. Now restart the anti virus program, and connect the modem. ( It has been noted from time to time, that the anti virus program may cause problems with the install of some drivers, and some games, so its best to disable this during the driver install to eliminate that possibility )

I to had ATI card problems and went back to the nVidia cards.  Have the 7800 GS O/C card and works well for my old system.  But, it cost around $ 298.00, so that might be out of range for some

1  6600 GT AGP card is mid range

2  6800 is mid range

3  7600 GT ( New AGP slot card ) might be a good selection

4  7800 GS mid to high range

5  7800 GT high range

Dim 4400
2.6 Ghz 400 FSB
1 Gb 2100 DDR memory
Windows XP Home
17 inch 1703 FP monitor
XFX 7800 GS O/C AGP ( 91.31 driver )
48x CDRW
16x DVD-R
410 watt ( PcPower&Cooling )
PC-Cillon Internet Security

The 9100 is a PCIe system I think? So you've got tons of great choices available.

The Radeon x1300 is a pointless "upgrade". Presumably you want to be able to play games on this? (Or else why the upgrade-an x300 handles text fine.) An x1300 is ancient. Right now a good minimum is a Geforce 7600GT, which goes for roughly $150-200 last I checked (could be lower now). But you can use virtually any card you want. In the $200-300 range a Geforce 7900GT would be a great mid/high-end card (basically the same as a 7800GTX). A Radeon 1900xt is a bit more than that, etc.

The point about upgrading the graphics, is to be able to upgrade to Windows 7, since the existing ATI Radeon card is said to be not compatible.  I don't need serious gaming, so I'm looking for modest prices. 

The Dell machine is old, but with new graphics, will be fine with Windows 7.  However, it has a PCI-e 16 card slot, and I see new cards are for PCI-e 16 2.0.  Will they be compatible with the old PCI-e?

Thanks. 

Many PCI-E 3.0 cards are not compatible due to Windows 8 BIos.

Asus Silent 5450 will work fine.

This card is known working in ALL PCI-E x16 model Dells except USFF models.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121365

Many thanks.  I had not expected a reply to a post whose thread started in 2006!

Asus card seems to be the answer.