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52839
January 18th, 2012 12:00
Vostro 220 - need graphics card for dual monitors
I've just started my new job and at my desk is a Vostro 220 tower and an E2210HC monitor. I have an E1910HC monitor available also and would like to set up dual monitors (like I had at my previous job.) I'm new to Dell - I have HP's at home and the last couple places I've worked have all used HP. I know the integrated graphics card/chip won't drive dual monitors. I'm not going to be gaming, just productivity (spreadsheets, etc.), so I need to know what card to get without spending a ton of money. I entered my service tag on the Dell site and the cheapest card it gave me was 75 bucks! And I didn't even to look if it supported dual monitors. Running Windows 7. According to the specs I've discovered I need a PCIexpress x16 card. I don't care if the outputs or digital or analog. I'm looking to keep this under 50 dollars if possible. Help?
Mary G
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January 18th, 2012 13:00
You can buy a video card from anywhere--Amazon, Tiger Direct, Newegg, your local computer store...etc. Dell does not make video cards. Your problem is the power supply on your 220s is only 250w and will not support most new video cards. Most will require at least a minimum of 300w and the majority of them much more. You would need to upgrade the psu and get a low profile card--not really worth it, IMO.
joelrwood74
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January 18th, 2012 14:00
I looked at the psu inside this tower and it's 300W - it's a Hipro HP-P3017F3. Rated 300W, not 250. This is a 220, not a 220S (the 220S are the slim.) And I know that Dell doesn't make video cards but they sell some aftermarket brands - if you go to their support page and enter your service tag it will give you suggested upgrades in different categories (for video cards there were 4 listings sold by Dell, but none were Dell brand.)
Mary G
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January 18th, 2012 15:00
I know that but it's good to shop around for price. I looked for the same thing at Dell for my computer that has 300w and the search brought up cards all over $120. The choice for 300w psu is small. Just check the manufacturer's site for the psu requirements since those might not be mentioned at the sales sites. You also need to match the ports on the card with the ports on your monitors. Even consider a good used card.
Forgot to mention that your operating system makes a difference, too. The cards dell suggested were not for windows 7.
Kelbear1
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January 18th, 2012 15:00
Just get something like the HD 5450 HERE and you should be fine.
joelrwood74
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January 18th, 2012 18:00
I looked up the HD 5450 and it requires a 400w power supply. I have 300w power supply.
rdunnill
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January 18th, 2012 20:00
I had this working with a 220-watt power supply. It is currently installed in a Vostro 220s with a 250-watt power supply.
A 300-watt power supply would easily run a 6670 with dual DVIs. Video card manufacturers are famous for overstating power supply requirements for low-power cards.
Kelbear1
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January 19th, 2012 08:00
As mentioned, it will work fine and used many times on the 250 watt units. It only uses 7-19 watts.