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Help Needed! New graphics card & RAM on Dimension 4500...update bios?
Help Needed! New graphics card & RAM on Dimension 4500...update bios?
I have a old but dependable Dimension 4500 desktop. Just maxed out ram memory by buying two 512mb Crucial memory cards with a clock speed of 400hz. Just bought Radeon HD 4350 PCIe 512MB HDMI SFF-Short+Tall brackets that I havn't installed. Should I change my bios from A03 to A04? Should I do anything else? Only have 40mb hard drive..but only using 40% of it.
Thanks for any help!
Paul
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December 1st, 2010 07:00
Hi. Thanks for your support thru my chaos of increasing my learning curve on trying to understand graphic cards. I would buy the Sparkle 8400GS PCI, but it's ddr2. Don't think will work unless I misunderstood your previous comments. I think we've elimiated AGP cards because my Dimension 4500 isn't the S version or isn't a mini tower.
I think we've established that I have only one option.
I need a low profile 256mb DDR PCI that works with my only monitor, a 19" Samsung flat screen (Dual Dvi-D---24- plus 1 pin-- and supports 1440X900
Resolution and a 2ms response time) , possibly 512mb (although was told that 512mb could be pushing my systems limits).
If I'm confused on above comments, please let me know...that is if I havn't frustrated you yet.
shesagordie
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December 1st, 2010 07:00
PFAZAR
I'm not certain what 'I've heard this dells agp slot may be untouchable...' means?
A dedicated video connector, like AGP is always better than using a PCI slot.
Do you have an AGP video card already installed, if there is one installed, all you need to do is replace the card and probably install a new driver?
Regards the Dell 250w installed in the 4500, Dell rates the power supply using the mean average, while other manufacturers rate their power supplies
by the peak power.
The mean average is 250 watts, and the peak power capability is 345 watts.
Bev.
shesagordie
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December 1st, 2010 08:00
PFAZAR
Quote, 'I would buy the Sparkle 8400GS PCI, but it's ddr2. Don't think will work unless I misunderstood your previous comments'.
We are talking about cross purposes here and you have misunderstood me.
The Dimension 4500 computer system does not support DDR2 memory, only DDR, BUT video card memory is memory installed in a video card and is independent of the requirements of the computer system.
Video card memory and the computer system memory, are separate entities.
In other words, DDR2 memory installed in a video card is compatible with the 4500, but DDR2 memory cannot be used in the motherboard of the 4500.
Quote, 'I think we've elimiated AGP cards because my Dimension 4500 isn't the S version or isn't a mini tower".
That is wrong, if the motherboard has a AGP slot/connector, it can used to install an AGP card, it makes no difference what the case is, but if the case is the slimline/compact version like the 4500s, then a Low Profile AGP card is required.
Bev.
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December 1st, 2010 08:00
Also unclear on two other things....1) whether I have to use current 64 bit as opposed to 128 bit memory interface card. and 2) open gl #. Think dell said was compatible with open gl2.
shesagordie
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December 1st, 2010 09:00
PFAZAR
Are you refering to a video card, if you are, then it's best to have more memory.
Bev.
shesagordie
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December 1st, 2010 09:00
PFAZAR
If you have a Dimension 4500, like THIS, you need a full size video card, NOT a low profile card.
If you have a Dimension 4500s, like THIS
, then you need a Low Profile video card.
Bev.
shesagordie
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December 1st, 2010 09:00
PFAZAR
It's not my intention to be a teacher. LOL :emotion-5:
Bev.
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December 1st, 2010 09:00
Ok. I need a full size video card. Thanks...your a great teacher!
shesagordie
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December 1st, 2010 09:00
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Quote, If I'm following you correctly, AGP is still the preferred choice over PCI and it will work on my Dimension 4500 period.
Yes.
Quote, I could use a ddr2 even with my 250 watt/300plus max power supply.
If 'ddr2' refers to the video card, yes.
When refering to a video card, please use 'Video Card' and not 'ddr2', this will help not create confusion, or misunderstanding.
Bev.
PFAZAR
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December 1st, 2010 09:00
So even though I'm currently using a 64 bit graphics related memory card...a upgraded 128bit card will work on the Dimension 4500.
shesagordie
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December 1st, 2010 09:00
PFAZAR
Yes, it should.
Bev.
PFAZAR
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December 1st, 2010 09:00
If I'm following you correctly, AGP is still the preferred choice over PCI and it will work on my Dimension 4500 period. If I remember correctly I have one seperate AGP video slot currently being used by more ancient graphics card and I could use a ddr2 even with my 250 watt/300plus max power supply.
PFAZAR
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December 1st, 2010 10:00
Or I think one of these. If you have made or have a better suggestion, please excuse my computer related knowledge and SHARE it again! Thank you very much for all of your help!!!
Driver Disk
User Manual
S-Video Cable
Driver Disk
S-Video Cable
NVIDIA UltraShadow II Technology
NVIDIA Intellisample 3.0 Technology
NVIDIA Digital Vibrance Control 3.0 Technology
Integrated HDTV Encoder with Video Scaling and Filtering
NVIDIA PureVideo Technology
Revolutionary superscalar architecture
NVIDIA UltraShadow II technology
Full-speed 32-bit color precision
NVIDIA Intellisample 3.0 technology
Adaptable programmable video processor
High-definition MPEG-2 and WMV hardware acceleration
Advanced motion adaptive de-interlacing
Video color correction
NVIDIA ForceWare Unified Driver Architecture (UDA)
NVIDIA nView multi-display technology
NVIDIA Digital Vibrance Control 3.0 technology
PFAZAR
18 Posts
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December 1st, 2010 10:00
So now, I'm down too a dell recommended choice.
DIAMOND MULTIMEDIA Stealth ATI Radeon 9250 256 MB DDR PCI Graphics Card
Apply | Learn More
PFAZAR
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December 1st, 2010 10:00
I will go with Your decision regarding one of the last to posts. If there is anything I can help you with, I'm pretty darn knowledgable regarding mortgage or any investment related questions. That's all I can offer you help on. Thanks again!!!
Paul