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Inspiron 530 and new graphics card ( HD5670 ? )
Hi all,
I am looking to upgrade my ATI RADEON HD 2600XT graphics card fitted on my 530/ intel core 2 quad cpu Q6600 @ 2.40 ghz and 3gb memory (will increase to 4GB at the same time)
I had a look on forums elsewhere and on here but didnt quite find the answer...
Was looking to get ati radeon HD 5670 1GB, is that an OK card for now, and for the next couple of years, cant really afford above that... will this "fit" my pc ?
Which one should I buy (if compatible) ????: ASUS , SAPPHIRE , XFX , VTX ...they all say ATI OR RADEON HD 5670 BUT what is really the difference and which one to go for?
Also found for much cheaper the HD 5450, should I consider that one?
Thanking you all in advance for your input.
Kelbear1
1.5K Posts
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August 2nd, 2011 08:00
The HD 5670 will work and fit just fine in your system. With the Quad CPU, you have a 350 watt unit. Others have used the HD 5670 on their 300 watt units without any problems.
Edit: Don't get the HD 5450 and don't waste money on upgrading from 3GB to 4GB on a 32-bit system. Only do this if you have upgraded to a 64-bit operating system. Also, when looking at the HD 5670, I would choose one with DDR5 memory versus DDR3. These two HERE seem to have been the most popular ones. Sapphire is also a good brand. Note too that the newer HD 6670 that replaces the HD 5670 is a better performing card if it is affordable. HERE are a couple of them.
Kelbear1
1.5K Posts
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August 6th, 2011 14:00
Not really. I went from 3GB to 4GB when DDR2 memory was cheaper and the system only recogized 3.2 of the 4 and I really didn't notice any difference. Only a 64-bit system will utilize all 4GB. If you have 3GBs, that means you will most likely have to pull out two 512s and get two 1GB sticks. 2GB is only $30 at Crucial so it's not that bad. I think when I got it, it was $18. It's up to you.
Mary G
4 Operator
4 Operator
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20.1K Posts
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August 1st, 2011 11:00
Check your power supply unit. The ATI 5670 requires 400w or higher and your model probably does not have it-- This is from the requirements:
400 Watt or greater power supply recommended (500 Watt for ATI CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode) Read about the requirements HERE
cfipro
23 Posts
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August 1st, 2011 12:00
Thanks, Pity really thought would be ok on my system, but how can check my power supply unit?
Read somewhere on here, somebody fitted the HD5450 (which apparently also requires 400W and higher) on an inspiron machine...
My inspiron 530 was bought in June 08, what power supply was fitted these days?
Is there any good compatible graphics card for my pc, 1GB if possible?
cfipro
23 Posts
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August 1st, 2011 20:00
OK, had a look at it and I think will go for a new 400W PSU as well....but this bring me back to question one, please anyone?
cfipro
23 Posts
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August 2nd, 2011 10:00
Many thanks , that makes my day.
cfipro
23 Posts
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August 4th, 2011 11:00
Thought I'd bring an update to this.
Bought the HD5670, this is AMAZING, maybe it was a mistake not to go for the 6670 as suggested by Kelbear1, BUT WOW , really pleased with it, played dirt3(my 2600XT struggled on that one), COD black ops, in high, and what a difference, gaming experience it so much better, definitely dont regret the purchase.
Also, the guy (PC WORLD UK) said that the 350w PSU should work just fine but strongly advise me to get the 400w minimum required. He offered me installation of the graphics card + PSU if i'd buy both...so went for it. To be honest wasnt to sure about the installation, managed to install ddr memory in the past, but glad he offered to install graphics card for free.
ONLY trouble, the ATI catalyst control centre wont open (HAD the same issue with my hd 2600XT when it was updated, so not much of a change)...that a ATI's driver/software update issue, nothing wrong with the card.
Kelbear1
1.5K Posts
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August 4th, 2011 14:00
I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying the new card. I have enough experience to know that the PSU upgrade was not necessary, but it was up to you. I have run cards on the 350 watt unit that require the additional PCIe hook up from the power supply without issue and the HD 5670 does not even need this since it uses less power. I feel that Nvidia does have better drivers than ATI which is why I usually stay on the green team versus the red. Good luck!
freakmarket
270 Posts
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August 5th, 2011 13:00
The 6670 and 5670 have the same graphics chip at their core ... you didn't lose anything by going with the 5670. AMD's 6570 and 6670 are just rebranded 5570 & 5670 according to pcper.com.
cfipro
23 Posts
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August 6th, 2011 08:00
Well, I'm pretty happy with the 5670, quite amazed by the improvement playing demanding games.
Concerning the new 400w psu, as I wasnt brave enough to install the new card myself ,was planning to pay the extra to have it "fitted". So paid for the "unneeded" psu, but had them both installed for "nothing".
Kelbear1, can I just go back to the extra 1gb memory, you said it would be useless to have 4gb instead of the 3gb fitted on my vista 32bit...? Is it not worth having having the 4gb on my PC?
Thanks again for your help.
cfipro
23 Posts
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August 7th, 2011 01:00
Yes, have 2X1gb + 2X512mb, so would need to remove two 512...I think I'll stick to your words and leave it as it is, quite happy with my pc set up now. Speed is not too bad at all...
Thanks again for your help and time.
Cheers.
purplepat
6 Posts
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November 24th, 2011 07:00
In response to freakmarket, I do not believe the graphics chip in the 6670 and 5670 are EXACTLY the same. I'm pretty sure from having extensively researched this in the past week (to buy a video card for my new Inspiron 620) that the 6670 has 480 stream processors vs 400 for the 5670. However, other than that they are pretty much exactly the same. And reading a video card review site, the PassMark rating for the 6670 is just barely higher than the 5670. The difference is so slight that you may not notice any difference in actual use between the two cards. So I opted for the less expensive 5670 and got one with GDDR5 RAM, which should improve throughput over a DDR3 model.
rdunnill
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8.8K Posts
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December 5th, 2011 00:00
On the subject of power, it's interesting that the 6570 with DDR3 has a rated TDP of only 44 watts.
Even some mini-ITX power supplies should be able to handle that.