[weedan_ash]

Hi There,

I have recently bought i new Dell computer spec listed below:-

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4600+
2 Gb Ram
320gb Hard Drive
etc..

I got an ATI Radeon X1300 256mb Graphics card installed when i bought the computer. Although some of the games i play seem to look ok with the card it was not really as powerful as i had expected.

I would like to upgrade the card to something a bit more impressive. I have a budget of about £100.00 - is this enough to notice a big difference, If so what would you recommend? If not what is the minimum i should buy?

Any help is appreciated.

[alex]

This

Is a good card, just make sure you have a 400w (or over) psu with a 6-pin pci-e connector.

Very good card.

Considering the cpu it's a very good balance.

[weedan_ash]

Thanks for the advice.

Just a couple of things. Will i notice a considerable difference in the quality of the grapgics for gaming? I would rather spend more money for a noticable difference than spend less for a slight difference.

Also how do i know if i have a 400w PSU? will this be written somewhere within my documentation? Is this not already being used with my existing graphics card?

[weedan_ash]

sorry, forgot - Also i have noticed that this card is available in a 512mb version for almost the same cost. Is it better to go for his version?

[weedan_ash]

I have just looked at the manual for my computer and it says that the DC Power Supply is 305W.

I definately have the PCI express socket.

Does this mean that the card will not work.

If this is the case can you suggest a good card in the price range that does?

[alex]

Originally Posted by weedan_ash I have just looked at the manual for my computer and it says that the DC Power Supply is 305W. I definately have the PCI express socket. Does this mean that the card will not work. If this is the case can you suggest a good card in the price range that does?

Hi Weedan. Firstly, apologies for not coming back to you sooner. I've been moving house.

You'll probably barely get away with the psu you have but I wouldn't recommend it due to it's max output of 305w and also because it's more than likely a generic one.

It seems a shame not to get a card based upon this so I'd recommend a new psu as well. An Enermax Liberty 400w will set you back about £40. And it's well worth the money. Awesome power supply.

Don't bother with the 512mb version. 256mb will be more than adequate at a resolution of 1280x1024, so the extra 256mb on the card you quote won't be used and you'll pay through the nose for it. The card I quoted can't really hope to game above this resolution so the extra ram there won't be used either as the card isn't capable of higher resolutions really (frame rates, details settings, AA etc).

Best bet would be to get the 256mb version and put the money saved over the 512mb version into a new psu.

Lastly, yes you will see a huge increase in performance over and above the X1300 you have. I guarantee you'll be smiling.

[mr_miller]

will that card fit around the Dell exhaust? the case is very tight.

[alex]

Should do.

can you measure the space available for a card at all? Just to confirm things.

[weedan_ash]

will the PSU be simple to fit myself?

I am not a technophobe but i am not a whizz either!

[alex]

Originally Posted by weedan_ash will the PSU be simple to fit myself? I am not a technophobe but i am not a whizz either!

Should be, it's just four screws that mount the psu.

As for cabling, the connections are the same for any psu (molex's, sata, 4pin ATX, 24pin ATX etc). Just some psu's have more than other's.

[mr_miller]

depending on when your dell shipped, you may need to bend a few mounting rails in the psu caddy, its no biggy. Search on this post for e520 about others experience on dell psu replacement. http://uk.gamespot.com/features/6156859/p-4.html i've run a 8600GT and an AT2600xt ddr4 with no problems on my e520 305W supply. more than enough GPU juice for my supcom addiction.