DanHoyle

HI
I want to up grade my Dell Dimension 3000 so my son can play games online i know they only have PCI slots but the games he's playing are not very demanding.
so could you please tell me in your opinion what is the best PCI graphics card available?
Thanks Dan

RockmasteR

hello Dan, and Welcome to TSF
I think you mean PCIexpress, if the games are not very demanding and you need a good card that can play those games, maybe you can get an Nvidia Geforce 8500GT for 50$ or so : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814141065

remember, this card is not PCI it's PCIe and if it's a Dell inspiron 3000 then it's a PCIe

this card is good if the games are not very demanding and according to your son's age.

Good luck with that

Mcninjaguy

the 9000 series is the oneI'd go with faster card same price

same price as the card that RockmasterR after the rebate except your desktop only has the white slots (PCI ony not PCI-E)
before rebate $69
after rebate $49
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187041

I wouldn't expect to play newer than 2 or 3 year old games with with this card

DanHoyle

HI
Thank you both for your advice :-)
so would you say this graphic card is the best for the Dimension 3000?http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187041
or is there a better 1 which may play newer games
Thanks Dan

RockmasteR

I think what Ninjaguy was trying to give you the Geforce 9 series URL,so don't bother do get the Geforce 8400GS, it's a really bad investement, so you can choose from these 3 budget cards :

- Geforce 8500 GT

- Geforce 9400 GT

- Geforce 9500 GT

the best from those three is the 9500 GT, but it's a bit expensive than the other two, so choose which one suits you.

Good Luck

DanHoyle

Thank you RockmasterR and McNinjaguy
you've been really helpful

RockmasteR

you are very welcome :)
if you ever had a question, we will be here to help.

Mcninjaguy

I gave you that link for the PCI card not a PCI express card

can you open the side of your case and take a picture of it and post it here. If you can get a PCI-E card get but if you don't have the connection (PCI-E slot should be a different color than white) then I guess you can buy the card I suggested before

RockmasteR

ohh, Sorry ninjaguy I dind't notice that u posted a PCI card...
yes, I think you must take a pic and post it here, just to be sure

DanHoyle

This is my Video card

Attached Images

100_0990.JPG (1.00 MB, 14 views)

RockmasteR

oh, ok, so it's PCI, and not PCIexpress

in that case u need to follow ninjaguy advice about the vcard, but remember that PCI cards are not strong, so don't expect much from it, it'll play some 2 or 3 years old games, but not at the max also, I was hoping a pic of all you motherboard and not just your vcard, to see if your MB has a PCIe

DanHoyle

sorry does this 1 show you anymore?
Thanks Dan

Attached Images

100_0989.JPG (1.01 MB, 10 views)

Mcninjaguy

yea take a pic of the whole motherboard, I would hope you can get a PCI-E card

Aus_Karlos

Be aware that Dells' Pre-built PCs have a PSU with just enough wattage to support its current hardware for a few years. Upgrading to a more powerful graphics card will put this already maxed out PSU further than what its capable. Some Dell machines will get away with not upgrading a PSU if the graphics card is not that demanding. But when you add the new graphics card and you experience slowdowns, crashes or Blue screens its a possibility that the PSU cannot handle the extra load.

RockmasteR

ok, no PCIe
and I think your PC is equiped with a Celeron D, is that right?
I mean your CPU is a Celeron D

anyways, go ahead and get the PCI card MCninjaguy told you about

Good Luck

Mcninjaguy

I HATE DELLS

read their forums if you want to upgrade your card to semi high end card they not recommend getting a new psu ever

DanHoyle

its a pentium 4 i will take a photo of the whole mobo for you and i'll put it up as soon as i can thanks for all your help fellers :-)

magnethead

for a PCI card, the dell PSU should be enough.


Looks like, in ntypical dell fashion, the x16 lane is there, they just didn't put the derned slot in (hence why it's a 3000. The 4700 and up series has PCIe)

emosun

Due note that beside the 256mb 8400 , they also make a 512mb version and a 256mb 8500 as well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187042

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...142&CatId=1603

The 8500 currently being the fastest available pci card.

wrench97

That way it ends the warranty quicker first thing they look for when you call for warranty support and run remote desktop. or if it's a no boot it's one of the things that will void the extended warranty.