Which video card do I need?

letteney · 03-31-2008, 06:23 AM

I have a Dell Inspiron 530, that has one DVI outlet. I am using an Acer monitor (DVI) and an old Dell monitor (VGA). I want use both monitors. Which video card is best, and how much memory should I have (I only run Microsoft Office and statistical programs).
Thanks.

**emosun** · 04-01-2008, 06:48 PM

Welcome to tsf. What card is currently in the pc? Also is it a slimline case or a regular sized case?

letteney · 04-02-2008, 07:45 AM

It is a regular case, not sure which video card. Thanks for the link. I'll use it and figure it out from there.

**emosun** · 04-02-2008, 10:29 AM

Didn't actually provide a link but your welcome :). Do you mean the links in my sig? From the sounds of it your card has one dvi output which interests me because usually newer videocards have two outputs and your pc comes standard with n 8600 which does have dual monitor support.

letteney · 04-03-2008, 08:37 AM

Wow, well I should have checked before I bought it but I am stuck with it now, so I will have to open it up OR maybe get an adapter?

Jolt · 04-03-2008, 08:52 AM

If you are asking if you can use an adapter between DVI and VGA, the answer is yes.

**emosun** · 04-03-2008, 09:53 PM

Does the pc actually have a card in it or just onboard?

letteney · 04-04-2008, 05:51 AM

This is what I have:

Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 Video Chipset

**emosun** · 04-04-2008, 06:01 AM

Ok thats integrated, just post your budget and ill find something with dual monitor support. Also, will you be doing any gaming or watching HD movies?

letteney · 04-05-2008, 09:27 AM

That's great. Under $200 and I won't be doing any gaming or watching movies. I use the computer only for statistics (SPSS) and writing. Thanks much for your help.

**emosun** · 04-05-2008, 10:30 AM

This should work good then for you

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...671&CatId=1560

Has HD and blue ray support anyway, should work fine in your machine.

03-31-2008, 06:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
letteney Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 5 OS: xp	Which video card do I need? I have a Dell Inspiron 530, that has one DVI outlet. I am using an Acer monitor (DVI) and an old Dell monitor (VGA). I want use both monitors. Which video card is best, and how much memory should I have (I only run Microsoft Office and statistical programs). Thanks.

04-01-2008, 06:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,968 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Which video card do I need? Welcome to tsf. What card is currently in the pc? Also is it a slimline case or a regular sized case? __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

04-02-2008, 07:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
letteney Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 5 OS: xp	Re: Which video card do I need? It is a regular case, not sure which video card. Thanks for the link. I'll use it and figure it out from there.

04-02-2008, 10:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,968 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Which video card do I need? Didn't actually provide a link but your welcome :). Do you mean the links in my sig? From the sounds of it your card has one dvi output which interests me because usually newer videocards have two outputs and your pc comes standard with n 8600 which does have dual monitor support. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

04-03-2008, 08:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
letteney Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 5 OS: xp	Re: Which video card do I need? Wow, well I should have checked before I bought it but I am stuck with it now, so I will have to open it up OR maybe get an adapter?

04-03-2008, 08:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jolt Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 71 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP2 My System	Re: Which video card do I need? If you are asking if you can use an adapter between DVI and VGA, the answer is yes.

04-03-2008, 09:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,968 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Which video card do I need? Does the pc actually have a card in it or just onboard? __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

04-04-2008, 05:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
letteney Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 5 OS: xp	Re: Which video card do I need? This is what I have: Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 Video Chipset

04-04-2008, 06:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,968 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Which video card do I need? Ok thats integrated, just post your budget and ill find something with dual monitor support. Also, will you be doing any gaming or watching HD movies? __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

04-05-2008, 09:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
letteney Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 5 OS: xp	Re: Which video card do I need? That's great. Under $200 and I won't be doing any gaming or watching movies. I use the computer only for statistics (SPSS) and writing. Thanks much for your help.

04-05-2008, 10:30 AM	#11 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,968 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Which video card do I need? This should work good then for you http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...671&CatId=1560 Has HD and blue ray support anyway, should work fine in your machine. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list