Any recommendations for a video card?

TangoFoxtrot · 02-14-2009, 09:30 PM

I am in the process of upgrading my graphics capability from an ancient GeForce2 AGP in a Dell 4600 @2.2GHz to a PCI-E X16 capable card in a Dell 8400@3.0 GHz running XP. What is the best card in the less than $100 range?

I have seen NVidia series 9 cards in this price range (9600GT etc). Do series 9cards trump earlier series, or is there more going on than meets the eye. I'm open to brands other than NVidia, but I don't have a clue about them.
Any comments, warnings, or advice would be appreciated.

**manic** · 02-14-2009, 10:39 PM

You need to be aware of the extra power requirements of a pci-e
card. To be safe you need at least 26amps on the 12volt rail/s. A cheapy
psu is not going to cut it. Read the power supply sticky in the build section
of the forum, or the hardware section. Good info on the do's and don'ts of
power supplies...

TangoFoxtrot · 02-16-2009, 11:10 AM

Thanks, I'll do that. The 8400 I'm resurrecting came with a no-name PCI-E x16 card probably original from Dell. It does have a static heat sync on it, but probably does not draw that much. I'll have to research the specs on the PS - its 350 watts but I don't know what the 12V rails put out.

Also, I wonder if a more capable PS will fit in the Dell box. Everything about its mechanics is so Dell.

02-14-2009, 09:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
TangoFoxtrot Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 13 OS: XP sp2	Any recommendations for a video card? I am in the process of upgrading my graphics capability from an ancient GeForce2 AGP in a Dell 4600 @2.2GHz to a PCI-E X16 capable card in a Dell 8400@3.0 GHz running XP. What is the best card in the less than $100 range? I have seen NVidia series 9 cards in this price range (9600GT etc). Do series 9cards trump earlier series, or is there more going on than meets the eye. I'm open to brands other than NVidia, but I don't have a clue about them. Any comments, warnings, or advice would be appreciated.

02-14-2009, 10:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
manic Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,257 OS: xp	Re: Any recommendations for a video card? You need to be aware of the extra power requirements of a pci-e card. To be safe you need at least 26amps on the 12volt rail/s. A cheapy psu is not going to cut it. Read the power supply sticky in the build section of the forum, or the hardware section. Good info on the do's and don'ts of power supplies... __________________

02-16-2009, 11:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
TangoFoxtrot Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 13 OS: XP sp2	Re: Any recommendations for a video card? Thanks, I'll do that. The 8400 I'm resurrecting came with a no-name PCI-E x16 card probably original from Dell. It does have a static heat sync on it, but probably does not draw that much. I'll have to research the specs on the PS - its 350 watts but I don't know what the 12V rails put out. Also, I wonder if a more capable PS will fit in the Dell box. Everything about its mechanics is so Dell.