upgrade help

mort501 · 08-26-2009, 08:52 AM

Im trying to upgrade my pc, currently a dell inspirion d518 to a better video card, i called tech support to see what i could do. the woman told me i could not go past a 512mb card, but dident seem to know why, just kept repeating herself. just wondering if this is accurate and if so what i can do to be able to put more powerful cards into my system, thanks.

Phædrus2401 · 08-26-2009, 09:40 AM

She probably didn't have any idea what she was talking about. The memory size is completely irrelevant.

The problem is your power supply. Stock Dell PSUs generally are just barely sufficient for the install hardware (sometimes they're *insufficient* and we end up seeing a lot of them in repair shops). A graphics card requires a very steady, powerful PSU, something a stock Dell generally won't have. Furthermore, since Dell uses a proprietary PSU backplate you can't use most non-Dell aftermarket PSUs without taking a hacksaw to the grille on the back of the case. PC Power and Cooling makes some Dell-compliant PSUs, but they're a little pricier than the normal ones.

I *think* you have a PCIe x16 slot (it's hard to tell, I can't find very many good spec sheets) and thus you can use a modern graphics card. It all comes down to your budget, really. Generally a worthwhile upgrade costs ~$120 minimum.

mort501 · 08-26-2009, 11:18 AM

thanks for the info. So assuming I get a new power supply, should this card work fine on my system?

http://computers.pricegrabber.com/vi...t=product_tab/

thanks for any info :)

08-26-2009, 08:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
mort501 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 5 OS: Vista	upgrade help Im trying to upgrade my pc, currently a dell inspirion d518 to a better video card, i called tech support to see what i could do. the woman told me i could not go past a 512mb card, but dident seem to know why, just kept repeating herself. just wondering if this is accurate and if so what i can do to be able to put more powerful cards into my system, thanks.

08-26-2009, 09:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,838 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: upgrade help She probably didn't have any idea what she was talking about. The memory size is completely irrelevant. The problem is your power supply. Stock Dell PSUs generally are just barely sufficient for the install hardware (sometimes they're insufficient and we end up seeing a lot of them in repair shops). A graphics card requires a very steady, powerful PSU, something a stock Dell generally won't have. Furthermore, since Dell uses a proprietary PSU backplate you can't use most non-Dell aftermarket PSUs without taking a hacksaw to the grille on the back of the case. PC Power and Cooling makes some Dell-compliant PSUs, but they're a little pricier than the normal ones. I think you have a PCIe x16 slot (it's hard to tell, I can't find very many good spec sheets) and thus you can use a modern graphics card. It all comes down to your budget, really. Generally a worthwhile upgrade costs ~$120 minimum. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

08-26-2009, 11:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
mort501 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 5 OS: Vista	Re: upgrade help thanks for the info. So assuming I get a new power supply, should this card work fine on my system? http://computers.pricegrabber.com/vi...t=product_tab/ thanks for any info :)