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Vostro 460 video card upgrade
Greetings all!
I was given a Vostro 460 with dual monitors and as it is, the stock video card has one DVI output and one VGA output. All is working well with that setup however because of the two different video output types, there is a noticeable difference in the picture quality that cannot simply be corrected by the monitor settings. I however have another unused video card that has dual DVI outputs that if possible, I would like to use but I do not know if it is compatible with the 460. Here are the specs on the video card...
ATI Radeon HD3870 DDR4 with PCI Express connection. Also this number: DM-XHD670XTG4-512
Can anyone of you please tell me if this video card is compatible with my Vostro 460? I would really appreciate any and all assistance on this. Thank you.
speedstep
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August 28th, 2017 07:00
The 3870 is a VERY OLD card and is no longer supported by ATI or most other vendors.
The Drivers for HD2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 series are End of life.
Any cards in the series must use the LEGACY ATI Driver.
The card you list XHD670xtg4 is over priced.
http://www.memory4less.com/ati-tech-video-graphics-card-dm-xhd670xtg4-512
My recommendation for a card would be
http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/accessories/apd/a7057588
Which is dual VGA or DUAL DVI or a mix on the same card.
Works in all dells.
Since you have a Mini Tower you could get the card used
https://www.amazon.com/AMD-Radeon-HD6350-Video-Graphics/dp/B00IDF5H98/
And then get the DUAL DVI LFH connector.
Dell Molex Lfh Dual DVI Video Y Splitter Cable - H9361 this is mislabeled as its not a "Splitter" is dual DVI output.
https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Molex-Video-Splitter-Cable/dp/B00LLJYZ8W
graywoulf
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August 28th, 2017 09:00
I really appreciate that very informative reply! I knew that the ATI card was very old but I thought I would check to see if it would work though. Now, I have to ask a question about the Dell Molex Lfh Dual DVI Video Y Splitter Cable - H9361 that you supplied a link to. I have never known that such an adapter existed until now and I see some negative reviews on it at the Amazon page, Would this adapter work with the existing video card that is already installed in my 460 or would I actually need a different card for this to work properly? Or should I just buy a video card with dual DVI outputs and be done with it?
speedstep
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August 31st, 2017 07:00
The LFH adapter is NOT a splitter. It only works on LFH cards. Which the Dell HD6350 card has. LFH has been around for years its a known standard.Low-force helix, a 60-pin electrical connector with a key pin missing hence the DMS59 designation. Using the LFH interface requires a graphics card with multi-monitor capabilities and an LFH port. Currently, ATI, NVIDIA, Matrox and BFG Technologies manufacture such cards.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-force_helix
graywoulf
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August 31st, 2017 19:00
Thank you so very much for that information! I am looking into buying the video card and Molex adapter that you have recommended. However, I have just one more question about that setup. With that video card and adapter installed and set up correctly, will I be able to use each monitor for viewing two separate and different things at the same time? Or in other words, will I be able to view two different web pages simultaneously? Thanks!
speedstep
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47K Posts
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September 1st, 2017 07:00
Yes. DMS59 LFH supports up to 2 VGA or 2 DVI. Tons of DELL specific cards that come with the connector. The DMS59 cable I specified is also a DELL part number that works on ALL DELL DMS59 based cards. The reason you want DUAL DVI is because DUAL VGA is lower resolution especially on newer and newer monitors.
This card is over priced
http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/accessories/apd/a6901853
Getting a card like this on Amazon and then getting the dual DVI DMS59 cable is LOTS cheaper by 50 percent or more.
This is a cable set
http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/accessories/apd/310-4469
Drivers for this card are here
https://www.visiontek.com/pub/media/downloads/drivers/Cat13.251_Win7_Win8.zip
https://www.amazon.com/Epic-Service-graphics-bracket-computer/dp/B01H2WRR7M/
graywoulf
6 Posts
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September 3rd, 2017 19:00
Thank you SpeedStep for all of your valuable help with this. You have gone out of your way to teach me about this upgrade with all of the information and pictures and the links as well. I really appreciate your time and assistance. I am now shopping for the card and cable to get this problem solved. I enjoy watching travel videos on YouTube in panoramic mode and this will even out the picture settings so that both monitors look like one. I will be one happy camper when this is running. Five gold stars to you!! :emotion-2:
graywoulf
6 Posts
0
September 3rd, 2017 19:00
Thank you SpeedStep for all of your valuable help with this. You have gone out of your way to teach me about this upgrade with all of the information and pictures and the links as well. I really appreciate your time and assistance. I am now shopping for the card and cable to get this problem solved. I enjoy watching travel videos on YouTube in panoramic mode and this will even out the picture settings so that both monitors look like one. I will be one happy camper when this is running. Five gold stars to you!! :emotion-2: