I recently ordered a new computer from Dell. It is a Dell Inspiron 530:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4 GHz
4gb DDR2 memory (4 sticks)
Intel Integrated graphics
500gb Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
LITEON 350W PSU


I was planning on buying a new graphics card for this computer anyway, so I chose the integrated graphics. This is really my first educated experience of shopping for a video card. I have a PCI-e x16 slot, so at first I had a 8600GT in mind. I found this one:

http://www.buy.com/prod/geforce-86 [...] 29496.html


I wish I could shoot for an 8800, but I was spooked by the PSU requirements by many products and/or people that have recommended things on forums. I read on another forum that someone with a 350 watt power supply could run a 9600GT. I was shocked when I read this, because I know the recommended wattage for a 9600GT is 425W.

The last straw was when I tried a power supply calculator that I found with google. I "think" I inserted the correct parts including an 8600GT card, and the recommended wattage was 238.

I understand the wattage is not the most important part. It is the voltage and quality of PSU, and also the other hardware in a case that could use up some some power.

I am terribly confused, and I just want to buy a nice graphics card. After using google as tutor for a week of searching, any help is GREATLY appreciated .

Your Inspiron should be coming with a LiteOn 375W power supply. Try the 8800 GT if it has problems upgrade the PSU. A good resource for replacement dell PSUs is to go to PC Power&Cooling's site and have a look at their dell models.

Cooling may be an issue too. Maybe get a dual slot card that puts heat outside the case instead of an 8800gt that moves it around inside the case.

The amperage on the +12v rail(s) determines what GPU you can run. You should have no trouble with an 8600GT.
Using the PSU calculator at http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine, I get 269W for a 9600GT, but again it will depend on the amperage available on the +12V rail(s).

The PSU says on it: DC Output 350w

I really wasn't planning on buying a new PSU, and I have also heard that it is not an option with Dells, due to wiring and such.

I would be fine with the 8600GT that I mentioned earlier, but I'm starting to doubt my ability to run a video card at all. Thanks for your help.

You will have no trouble with an 8600GT on a 350W PSU. Although not certain, I believe Dell standardized their wiring after catching all kinds of hell in past years. In any case, it should be possible to reference pin diagrams to find out.

So if it says:

+12V, ---- / 12A Max

then that means i can safely run a 8600GT without damaging my card, mobo, or anything else?

Could I possibly run a 8800GT? I've heard they are much better than 8600GT, and slightly better than the 9600GT.

Thank you very much for your reply!

umm well if you go to www.newegg.com they have some beastly prices on this stuff. depening on your monitors size will influence the videocard you want to buy, if you have a 17-19inch then a 8600gt will be okay but not very good, i would recommend 8800gt. Also on newegg, you can a 8800gts 640mb like I do for i think $120 or something and a 8800gts 640mb is a VERY VERY nice card. Howvere you will need a 400watt powersupply. newegg also sells powersupplys for good prices, I got a nice OCZ quality 500watt power supply for a very good price also.

Look at the label on the power supply inside the computer. Tell us what is says. In particular we are concerned about the amperage on the 12v rail.
350W could have 18 amps or 22amps for example. Depends on the manufacturer.

It says:

INPUT: 100-127V~ /10A 50-60 Hz

OUTPUT: +5V ===/ 18A MAX. +12VA ===/ 12A MAX. +12VB===/ 18A MAX.

MAXIMUM CONTINUOUS TOTAL DC OUTPUT POWER WILL NOT EXCEED 350W.

THE MAXIMUM CONTINUOUS COMBINED OUTPUT POWER (5V & 3.3V EXCLUDING THE 5V AUXILIARY OUTPUT)IS 160W.

THE MAXIMUM CONTINUOUS COMBINED OUTPUT POWER (12VA & 12VB) IS 300W.




That is all I could read in english.

Like someone stated already...Your monitor size would be a factor also...and how much were you planning on spending on a graphics card? A power supply? Any time constraints on when you are wanting to purchase?

If your power supply isn't custom and can be easily changed I would say get something that last's a bit. I do not think you would be happy with an 8600 GT if you play any games at all excluding web games. =)

Also I'm pretty sure the video card price war is not completely done and price's should continue their downward trend. I would personally suggest a 9800gtx or an ATI 4850 (though I'm not sure ATI has released official drivers yet). Also, once the 9800gtx+ is on the shelf I think the regular 9800gtx will get even cheaper...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150287

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814103060

Of course if those are above the price range something a little cheaper is...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130332
(I think this 8800 gs should do better than an 8600 GT)

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121069
(8600 GTS - a little better than an 8600 GT)

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127325
(8800 GTS 512...it's like the older brother of the 9800gtx though not quite as fast - similar in price but with the rebate its definitely cheaper)

...and as people already pointed out 8800 GT 512 cards are a great choice to. I think there is some great deals on the 1GB versions to if you can find them.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814500023

Ok, you have 25A available on the combined 12V rails (300W/12V). Technically that may be enough for an 8800GT, but barely, and I don't think worth the risk. A 9600GT should be fine though. Compared to integrated video, even the 8600GT is a huge improvement.
What games do you want to play, and at what resolution?

I will not be upgrading my PSU, but I was wondering if it could support 8800gt(s). I would like to get a 512mb 8800GT.

My only constraint+worry is my PSU.

I am using an old monitor, I'm used to using 1240 x 800, or sometimes 1280 x 1240. I just upgraded from a 6 year old computer and I haven't purchased any games in years. I would ultimately like to be able to run Call of Duty 4, and hopefully even Crysis. Of course, I would like to be able to run anything in between.

Well, nothing really runs Crysis well on high settings. At 1280x1024, I think a 9600GT will be playable.