Upgrading Video card on Dimension E521

Question

This month, I ordered and received my new Dimension E521. To keep costs down, for the video card, I just went with the onboard NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE Integrated Graphics GPU. Now, I am thinking of upgrading to a better card. My husband just bought the 2006 Microsoft Flight Simulator X and it does not perform that well.

My main question is, being that the computer is brand new and if I install a new video card, will that void my one year warrenty?

Does anyone have a suggestion on what brand/model of card to get?

My system info:

Dell Dimension E521 AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 3800+

Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs

Monitor 20 inch E207WFP Widescreen Digital Flat Panel

Video Card NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE Integrated Graphics GPU
Hard Drive 160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™

Windows Vista Home Premium

Message Edited by tdur on 04-29-2007 02:44 PM

Rorsach · Answer

I think your limited warranty will still be intact, although your new card will obviously not be covered by Dell. You should check the EULA that came printed in the box to be sure.

I can't really give make model until I know more about your options. If you're willing to shell out 150 bucks for a dx10 card that should keep you running new games at good settings, try the Nvidia 8600GT. For a little more, you could get the current top end card compatible with your system: a 1950 from ATI. If you don't want to spend that much money, there's the mid range 7 series from Nvidia (7600GT and the likes) and x1k series from ATI (x1650s a good little card). Let us know how much you want to spend, and how much horsepower you want.

Rorsach · Answer

Going off what Bill said, make sure you disable integrated graphics in Device Manager (not just changing the BIOS) before putting in your new chip. Lots of folks get a little eager and fail to follow all steps. It'll save you a lot of time to just follow the proper instructions the first time around. If you have any more questions about your upgrade, please post back here.

By the way Bill, glad to hear you're liking the GT. I think you made an excellent choice opting for DX10.

eickmewg · Answer

I just upgraded from a 7300LE to an XFX 8600 GT XXX for exactly the same reason; I wanted higher image quality with Flight Simulator X. Boy, what a change. You can actually see cars moving on highways next to the airport. The XFX card I got was factory overclocked and has a double life-time warranty. EVGA cards are also highly regarded. In fact, check out CC as they have an EVGA 8600 GT with about $50 in rebates now. Installation is simple. With your integrated graphics you likely will have to select the PCI-e slot for your primary video. Then consider adding a G of RAM. In the long run, these two significant upgrades will cost you less than having had Dell do it when you ordered your system. Rorsach's other recommendations are certainly fine as well. I liked the idea of getting a dx10 card in the 8600 GT specifically designed to complement Vista. Bill

Message Edited by eickmewg on 04-29-2007 06:24 PM

tdur · Answer

As far as price, I don't want to spend more than $70 for a video card.    Which of the cards you mention would be the best for the $$ I want to spend?

Dale Nihiser · Answer

tdur wrote:

As far as price, I don't want to spend more than $70 for a video card.

Which of the cards you mention would be the best for the $$ I want to spend?

You're not going to find any (new) video card for $70.00 that will run FSX much beyond the lowest settings and still yield playable frame rates.

FSX is a very demanding game and you need to up your ante.

Good Luck

Dale

eickmewg · Answer

Dale is right.  Now is not the time for half measures.  Save your $70 for now and wait till you can add another $100.  Then you will be able to achieve your goal of running FSX at reasonably high settings.  You've already sunk at least $50 on the software and at least $25, I guess, on a joy stick.  You really do need better than what would be a bottom-of-the-line graphics card you could get for $70.

tdur · Answer

That is what I will do; it makes the most sense to save the money and eventually get a good card.    Sounds like the Nvidia 8600GT is the way to go then, when I am ready to upgrade, correct?   Are the XFX 8600 GT XXX and the Nvidia 8600GT one in the same?

eickmewg · Answer

Nvidia is the chip maker.  Many manufacturers then use the chip on their own cards that are identified by chip type; i.e. 8600 GT.  Each manufacturer produces a card that looks somewhat unique based on their mode of cooling and graphics.  My research suggests that XFX cards and EVGA cards are high quality, but there are many other manufacturers as well.  Like I said earlier, with rebates, you can get an EVGA 8600 GT at CC for about $120.  I liked the XFX 8600 GT XXX because it has the highest clock speed, 620 MHz vs. the standard chip speed of 540 Mhz, and it comes with a double lifetime warranty, one for you, and another for the second owner should you choose to sell it.  When it comes time to buy, shop around.  The online sources such as Newegg and TigerDirect provide excellent value and service.  When you finally pull this off, you will be in for a treat.

tdur · Answer

Thanks to everyone for the help/suggestions, it is much appreciated.  When I get a card, I will post back here with what I ended up getting.

MILLERRRR · Answer

Can anyone confirm that all these cards mentioned will fit in the E521? I thought this desktop line required a low profile PCIe graphics card.

ae38cb5bb8b0410 · Answer

I'm running this one right now. Just installed it today.   http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150231

eickmewg · Answer

The C521 desktop takes the low-profile cards.  The E521 and E520 take the standard PCI-e cards just fine.

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Upgrading Video card on Dimension E521

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