Starting with the basics

Question

I have a Dimension 8400 with a (according to the 'System' info from my control panel) a PCI interface.  Is it true that when I am going for a new card I have to replace my current card with a card designated for the particular interface.  By that I mean I cannot take out a PCI and put in an AGP.  Also, where does PCIE fit into all of this.  Can I replace a PCI with a PCIE?  Sorry for being such a rookie but I have to begin at the begining.   Thanx Docksider

docksidr · Answer

........ Also, what other pieces of info do I need before I commit to a new card.  The more I read the more complicated it seems   Docksidr

Skybird · Answer

Are you referring to Video Cards? Your system has a PCI Express video slot. If you want
a video card you need to obtain a PCI-Express card.

PCI is where other cards go, such as the audio card or other expansion options.

PCI and PCI-Express (PCI-E) are completely different.

Your system does not have an AGP slot and thus, cannot use AGP video cards.

Oletymer · Answer

PCI-E cards that pack the most punch in the $175 to $210 dollar range are the Nvida 6800GS & ATI X-800GTO or GTO2. Your PSU will handle these cards. You can check Newegg.com & Zipzoomfly.com for good prices on these cards.

Gateway E6500D Performance Workstation
P4 660@3.6 Ghg 2mb cache Intel 945G
2 Gigs (4x512) Samsung PC 4200 ddr2 533mhg
Gigabyte X800XL Pcie Tubo Edition @ 430/1080
OCZ Modstream 520 watt Psu
W D 200 Gig 7200rpm 8mb cache HD
XP Professional & Office XP Pro 2003 Edition
Gateway FPD1975 19 inch LCD (8ms)
Floppy & 16X DVD Rom & Dual Layer DVD Burner & CD Burner
Logitech Z3 2.1 Speakers Logitech MX 518 Mouse
Nostromo N 52 Speedpad Func 1030 Mousepad
Audigy 2 ZS Sound card
Other PCs Dell XPS 400 & E 510

VoiS2 · Answer

Hi dock, also an 8400 user here. Our systems have a PCI-Express slot for our graphics card. When shopping for graphics cards, you will most often see PCI-Express abbreviated as as PCI-E or PCI-e. Since the technical name for PCI-Express is PCI-x16, you will sometimes see a reference to PCIx16.

You will need to purchase a PCI-E card for your Dimension 8400. I assume you are wanting to know because you are beginning to shop for a new video card. Fortunately, our systems have the latest and most modern interface for graphical connectivity (PCI-E).

As with most purchases in life, consider your budget first. I generally recommend folks not to spend more than $200 on a single graphics card purchase. If you tell us your budget and describe the way you use the computer, we'll be able to point you to not only the best card but also one which will give you the most punch for your dollar.

Hope that helps.

Pat1 · Answer

On the 8400, AGP is not an option. PCI-e x16 is the main slot for video cards. PCI is an option but would limit choice of cards. PCI-e x1 does not have a video card made for it.   Pat

Pat1 · Answer

The 4550 has an AGP slot for the video card.   Pat

docksidr · Answer

Thanx All for all the quick responses. I have one more question regarding Graphics Cards. My son has a Dimension 4550 that he uses primarly as a homework, IM'ing and Gaming machine. His mom and I are giving him COD2 for xmas and as I understand it he will need a new Graphics Card to play it. It currently has the original equipment vid card in it which I believe is a Nvidia Geforce4 MX 420. Is this a pure PCI machine (not PCI-E as with the 8400) and if so I will only be able to replace it with a pure PCI vid card.

Budget is a big concern here. Any ideas and am I right about all of the assumptions.

Thanx

Dock

docksidr · Answer

Does this card look like a good upgrade for the 4550   http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130220

Skybird · Answer

That is a very good choice.

Oletymer · Answer

Another option for getting smoother& higher frame rates with DX9 in COD2.

Set in game resolution at 1024X 768 medium detail. In the Nvidia control panel set to performance with no AA or AF and vsync off.

Gateway E6500D Performance Workstation
P4 660@3.6 Ghg 2mb cache Intel 945G
2 Gigs (4x512) Samsung PC 4200 ddr2 533mhg
Gigabyte X800XL Pcie Tubo Edition @ 430/1080
OCZ Modstream 520 watt Psu
W D 200 Gig 7200rpm 8mb cache HD
XP Professional & Office XP Pro 2003 Edition
Gateway FPD1975 19 inch LCD (8ms)
Floppy & 16X DVD Rom & Dual Layer DVD Burner & CD Burner
Logitech Z3 2.1 Speakers Logitech MX 518 Mouse
Nostromo N 52 Speedpad Func 1030 Mousepad
Audigy 2 ZS Sound card
Other PCs Dell XPS 400 & E 510

Dale Nihiser · Answer

docksidr

COD2 runs like a dog on anything less than a high end pc and it has nothing to do with your pc, as you'll probably meet or exceed minimum specs.

There is a work around. Once installed, you'll have to set the game to use DX7. You'll lose some eye-candy but the game will be play smoother. You can use the DX9 setting but your fps will suffer. Game needs a patch....but a good game!

For video cards, the Nvidia 6600GT (AGP), maybe a vanilla flavored 6800 (AGP if available), and nothing less than a Radeon 9800Pro (AGP) in the ATi line will do the job.

Good Luck

Dale

Dimension 4550
Intel P4 2.53GHz
A08 Bios
768Mb DDR 333MHz RAM
533Mhz fsb
Sapphire OEM Radeon 9800Pro w/128Mb
SoundBlaster Live
LG-DT-ST CDRW ROM 848-1b
WD 600BB 60Gb Ultra ATA 100 7200rpm HD
WD 1200JB SE 120Gb ATA 100 7200rpm HD
Viewsonic G90fb-2 19"
Win XP SP2 (all updates)

Cool Master Centurion 5 CAC-T05 Mid tower case
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ SanDiego 1GHz fsb
MSI K8N Neo4-F Socket 939 ATX motherboard
1GHz Cosair ValueSelect PC 3200 DDR 400 SDRAM
EVGA GeForce 6800GS 256Mb GDDR3 PCI Express
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 200Gb 7200rpm SATA 150 HD
Plextor 708A 8x burner
Thermaltake TR W0070 ATX 430W PSU
Logitech Optical Mouse MX310
Logitech Wingman Rumblepad
Altec-Lansing headphones w/mic
Viewsonic G90fb-2 19"
Windows XP Home Sp2(all updates)
D-Link 524 Wireless Ethernet Broadband Router

docksidr · Answer

Thanx for all of the info on fine tuning the game for my son.  I am sure it will be a big help and am looking forward to getting it running for him.  The 6600 AGP came today and now the only thing left to piece this whole thing together is Santa.  I still have a nagging concern in the back of my mind.  Are we sure that the 4550 is AGP.  Where can I go on the machine to confirm that.   Sorry for all the questions but I am one of those persons who has to see for himself.   The very best of Holidays to all Docksidr

Skybird · Answer

Here is the Video spec from the Dimension 4550 Service manual. Enjoy your new card. http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4550/specs.htm#1104548

docksidr · Answer

Thanx Skybird, appreciate the help

Locked Topics – Desktops General

Starting with the basics

Was this post helpful?