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Need A New Video Card For Gaming On Inspiron 530s
I have a few games that need a better video card than the one installed on my system already. I don't really know what cards would work well with my system. The requirements are for a 256MB NVIDIA 7900 or a 256MB ATI X1900. If anyone can tell me which of these 2, or a better one, would work, I would greatly appreaciate it. Thanks
Umm... yeah.
19 Posts
1
January 9th, 2009 00:00
One thing you'll want to check before you upgrade is your power supply, make sure it can handle the load from the upgrade. I'm not sure what kind of power supply you have for your system but it's worth checking into. You may need to change it as well.
I did find the chart comparing the power consumption of a 7900 with a radeon 1900, the 7900 wins by quite a margin.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/geforce7900gtx_6.html
You'll also need to check what kind of slot you have for your card as in PCI, AGP or PCIe, it's most likely the latter.
good luck.
JMICHAEL
1.7K Posts
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January 10th, 2009 08:00
I would go for the 9500 GT as it will be equal to or better than the 7900 GT or an X1900 GT in performance. Someone said the HD 4550 played GTA IV so the 9500 GT will certainly play it. I would just go with the 512MB one as you really don't need to get the 1GB card plus you will use a bit fewer watts.
Umm... yeah.
19 Posts
0
January 8th, 2009 21:00
From that era I would say 7900 or better yet get the 7950 if you can find it.
check out Tom's hardware site for comprehensive graphics charts. http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-charts-q3-2008/benchmarks,30.html
rucr0401
6 Posts
0
January 8th, 2009 22:00
I've checked around a bit. Would a PNY GeForce 7900 GS Video Card, a nVIDIA GeForce 9600GT 512MB PCI-E Graphics Card, or a BFG-nVidia GeForce 8400 GS 512MB DDR2 PCI Graphics Card work? I'm not really familiar with the terms PCI, BFG,or DDR2, either. Thanks!
JMICHAEL
1.7K Posts
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January 9th, 2009 06:00
You have the 530s which is the slim line case so you are only able to put in low profile video cards. You are also limited by your 250 watt power supply. None of the cards you mentioned will work.
You will want to get a PCIe x16 card not PCI. Others have recommended this card for the 530s.
Here is another one to look at. The manufacturer will state it requires a 350W power supply but the draw with this card would not be more than probably 45 watts and a total system draw with the card installed of less than 200 watts.
RobinBredin
3.7K Posts
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January 9th, 2009 07:00
Hi rucr0401, If your system was shipped with an Quad core CPU, then i would recommend the 9500GT. However if it was shipped with an duo core, then it has an 250w PSU. In that case i would recommend the ATI HD 4550, also remember that other devices on your mobo will be sipping power out of your PSU as well.
rucr0401
6 Posts
0
January 9th, 2009 23:00
So JMICHAEL, would that second card be enough to play GTA IV, which requires at least 256MB NVIDIA 7900+ / 256MB ATI X1900+? And if so, I should be able to use it on my Inspiron 530s with no problem? Thanks for all your help!
The game also requires 256MB of video RAM
If this doesn't work, anyone have other ones that would fit my needs and work for the Inspiron 530s? Thanks again! IDK what I'd do without you guys helping me! haha
rucr0401
6 Posts
0
January 10th, 2009 16:00
Thanks everyone for your help! I should be gaming in style within a couple weeks! haha:emotion-11:
Dave576
170 Posts
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May 6th, 2009 05:00
rucr0401,
Hope you are enjoying your new Video Card by now.
Others,
Thought I would add a comment for anyone else that might be looking for a Low Profile video card.
Check this one HD 4650 Low Profile it has better specs than the HD4550 and only costs a little more.
I'm going to order this for myself.
The search for low profile cards can be long as they are some out there but not too many.
Specs
It could have faster memory or more memory, but uts a pretty good card for a slim case.
Have read in a couple of blogs that this will work in the Inspiron 530s.
Some 530s owners have reported this video card is working well in their machines.
Happy hunting,
Dave