GFX Upgrade question

stryder99 · 07-13-2008, 07:08 AM

Hey guys.

I would like to make a gfx card upgrade to keep 3yr old pc going a while longer before moving onto a new machine altogether.

I currently have a Dell Dimension 4700 with P4 3GB chipset, 2.5Gb ram, a PCIE Geforce 6600 128mb gfx card.

After a bit of online reasearch i've decided using a small budget of only £50 i can get a decent entry-level Geforce 8600, that'll be more than adequete for the job.

I've narrowed it down specifically to an XFX PCIE 1GB Geforce 8600 and a Gainward PCIE 1GB Geforce 8600 with a pref for the XFX i think.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=771584
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=796361

Before i buy, the question is, will a PCIE Geforce 8600 and/or specifically these 2 cards be compatible and ok to run on my slightly older machine?

Thanks

**emosun** · 07-13-2008, 09:09 AM

Yes they will run fine because they are regular pci-e and not 2.0 or anything. I would go with the xfx aswell.

However , make sure your power supply is up to the job. For that card to run properly you will need a quality 400watt or higher power supply with at least 26 amps on the 12v rail.

If you don't have one that meets those requirements you will need to get one. Its common for powersupplies and video cards to be upgraded at the same time. You can also upgrade your powersupply now , and move it to your future machine later on.

stryder99 · 07-13-2008, 10:14 AM

Great. Thx for the response.

Unfortunately im a relative noob when it comes to tech stuff and hardware on pc's.

How would i check what power supply i currently have and where would it be located?

If i needed another, how woud it work in terms of compatibility and installation? Would a new one be ok with my old machine and is it fairly simple to replace/re-install!?

P.S - Found a few here from the same website

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=691095

Also, looked at back of the pc case where the power lead comes out of a unit containing a fan and guessing this is the power supply!? It has a tiny little plastic red marker/readout saying 240 on it currently.

Thanks ;)

**emosun** · 07-13-2008, 03:25 PM

I just checked and your psu isn't sufficient. Its just a standard Dell 305watt. So you will need a new one.

Keep in mind that when you buy a psu you can move it to your next pc , as well as that video card. So don't be afraid to go for a 600watt. For your current requirements you will need a 400watt or higher power supply with 26 amps on the 12volt rail. Stick to brands such as Antec's trio series , thermaltake's toughpower series , corsair , silverstone , and coolermaster.

I found a few good ones in the uk for you. You can go with higher wattages if you think you will need more power in the future for your next rig.

http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx...avigationKey=0
http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx...avigationKey=0

**wrench97** · 07-13-2008, 03:27 PM

If you have the stock Dell PSU it will be too small. You can check by removing the side cover and reading the label on the side of the PSU.
From the site you posted I would look at this PSU.
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=664337

stryder99 · 07-14-2008, 01:21 AM

Ok great guys thanks.

I take it it's fairly easy to install and connect a new psu lol? Much like say replacing a cd drive; just screw in place and connect up?

One final question though which is probably silly - this new psu WILL be ok with my currrent pc given that it's not the same size/wattage as before? It's not going to blow the board or chip or anything is it? Lol. Or does it not quite work that way, and the existing hardware i have will still draw the same amount of power from it, it just provides more juice for any new devices that might need it such as the bigger gfx card?

P.S - If i needed to cut costs, would this cheaper model be ok?http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=691095

Thanks

**emosun** · 07-14-2008, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emosun

Stick to brands such as Antec's trio series , thermaltake's toughpower series , corsair , silverstone , and coolermaster.

Try to stick to those. The one you found isn't very good. Yes you can install larger wattage psu's and it will work fine.

stryder99 · 07-14-2008, 02:21 PM

Ok, thx a lot for the help

07-13-2008, 07:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
stryder99 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 6 OS: xp	GFX Upgrade question Hey guys. I would like to make a gfx card upgrade to keep 3yr old pc going a while longer before moving onto a new machine altogether. I currently have a Dell Dimension 4700 with P4 3GB chipset, 2.5Gb ram, a PCIE Geforce 6600 128mb gfx card. After a bit of online reasearch i've decided using a small budget of only £50 i can get a decent entry-level Geforce 8600, that'll be more than adequete for the job. I've narrowed it down specifically to an XFX PCIE 1GB Geforce 8600 and a Gainward PCIE 1GB Geforce 8600 with a pref for the XFX i think. http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=771584 http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=796361 Before i buy, the question is, will a PCIE Geforce 8600 and/or specifically these 2 cards be compatible and ok to run on my slightly older machine? Thanks Last edited by stryder99; 07-13-2008 at 07:10 AM.

07-13-2008, 09:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,982 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: GFX Upgrade question Yes they will run fine because they are regular pci-e and not 2.0 or anything. I would go with the xfx aswell. However , make sure your power supply is up to the job. For that card to run properly you will need a quality 400watt or higher power supply with at least 26 amps on the 12v rail. If you don't have one that meets those requirements you will need to get one. Its common for powersupplies and video cards to be upgraded at the same time. You can also upgrade your powersupply now , and move it to your future machine later on. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

07-13-2008, 10:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
stryder99 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 6 OS: xp	Re: GFX Upgrade question Great. Thx for the response. Unfortunately im a relative noob when it comes to tech stuff and hardware on pc's. How would i check what power supply i currently have and where would it be located? If i needed another, how woud it work in terms of compatibility and installation? Would a new one be ok with my old machine and is it fairly simple to replace/re-install!? P.S - Found a few here from the same website http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=691095 Also, looked at back of the pc case where the power lead comes out of a unit containing a fan and guessing this is the power supply!? It has a tiny little plastic red marker/readout saying 240 on it currently. Thanks ;) Last edited by stryder99; 07-13-2008 at 10:24 AM.

07-13-2008, 03:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,982 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: GFX Upgrade question I just checked and your psu isn't sufficient. Its just a standard Dell 305watt. So you will need a new one. Keep in mind that when you buy a psu you can move it to your next pc , as well as that video card. So don't be afraid to go for a 600watt. For your current requirements you will need a 400watt or higher power supply with 26 amps on the 12volt rail. Stick to brands such as Antec's trio series , thermaltake's toughpower series , corsair , silverstone , and coolermaster. I found a few good ones in the uk for you. You can go with higher wattages if you think you will need more power in the future for your next rig. http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx...avigationKey=0 http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx...avigationKey=0 __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list Last edited by emosun; 07-13-2008 at 03:38 PM.

07-13-2008, 03:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,597 OS: Win7	Re: GFX Upgrade question If you have the stock Dell PSU it will be too small. You can check by removing the side cover and reading the label on the side of the PSU. From the site you posted I would look at this PSU. http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=664337 __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-14-2008, 01:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
stryder99 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 6 OS: xp	Re: GFX Upgrade question Ok great guys thanks. I take it it's fairly easy to install and connect a new psu lol? Much like say replacing a cd drive; just screw in place and connect up? One final question though which is probably silly - this new psu WILL be ok with my currrent pc given that it's not the same size/wattage as before? It's not going to blow the board or chip or anything is it? Lol. Or does it not quite work that way, and the existing hardware i have will still draw the same amount of power from it, it just provides more juice for any new devices that might need it such as the bigger gfx card? P.S - If i needed to cut costs, would this cheaper model be ok?http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=691095 Thanks Last edited by stryder99; 07-14-2008 at 01:22 AM.

07-14-2008, 02:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
stryder99 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 6 OS: xp	Re: GFX Upgrade question Ok, thx a lot for the help