Best Possible Video Card for This System

Hi There! This seems like a very helpful forum, so I figured I'd give it a try:

I'm looking to upgrade my video card, to the best possible one that my system can handle. Here's my problem: I'm not sure what the deciding factors are in what my system can actually handle, I know the motherboard is an important part.

So do you guys which best-possible card is compatible with my system, or where I could go to find out? Can I simply add another card if my computer is dual-core? (probably not... but what would dual core be for then?)

Here are some of my specs:

Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition

Display
Video Card ATI Radeon X600 (256 MB)

Motherboard
CPU Type: Unknown, 3000 MHz (3.75 x 800)
Motherboard Name: Dell Inc. Dell DXP051
Motherboard Chipset: Unknown
System Memory: 2048 MB
BIOS Type: Phoenix (01/08/07)

Multi CPU
Motherboard ID DELL Dell DXP051
CPU #0 Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.00GHz, 2992 MHz
CPU #1 Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.00GHz, 2992 MHz

Could anyone also clarify how I can find out myself just from looking at my specs what kind of card my computer can handle?

Thank you so much in advance for taking a look at my post! :major

 

I researched your motherboard, and you have a PCI Express video slot, so, basically, the sky's the limit. How much do you want to spend? The 640mb Geforce 8800GTS OC is like $500 or so.

And welcome to Major Geeks! :major

 

its obviously a dell system, but what model name?

 

lol DLB i couldn't find squat on his mobo,

Like DLB said, 8800 Ultra is the top of the line right now. $500ish

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130072
Check out this bad boy!!! ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
You'll need a new, strong power supply to run this card. The deal running right now at newegg.com looks real good. This is one helluva video card!

 

i'm drooling

 

Thanks for the replies so far dlb & gimpster123!

By the way, my system is Dell XPS 400!
So I can basically get any card I want... good news!

I was looking at this card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130304
EVGA 640-P2-N828-A3 GeForce 8800GTS KO 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

It's $315 after everything, would you recommend this, or something else in the $300 range? Do these also need a new power supply? Is that hard to install?

Also - it says the card is SLI supported, does that mean I can have 2 cards? If yes, could I add it to the one have, or do they have to be the same when I use 2?

 

I recommend the 8800GT, it preforms better than the 8800GTS while costing less and it draws less power.

you're going to need to upgrade your power supply though, and the only way you can get one to power a good card is to get a Dell replacement from PC Power and Cooling. This is the most powerful one they have for Dells: http://www.pcpower.com/power-supply/silencer-470-dell.html

with 470 peak watts and 26A on the 12V+ it SHOULD be able to handle an 8800GT, an 8800GTS may be cutting it a bit close because of the extra power it uses

here are the 8800GT's:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=2010380048+1069633099+1305520548&name=NVIDIA

and you can only run SLI if u have an SLI compatible motherboard which unfortunately you dont

 

I have a question about the best graphics card for my laptop computer. I have a Dell Inspiron 1420 Notebook. The graphics card installed is an Intel Graphic Media Accelerator X3100. I need to be able to run the program Second Life. This card does not support that program. The card that would is an NVIDIA® GeForceTM Go 8400M GS with 128MB DDR3 dedicated graphic memory.

I have been getting the run around from Dell and am being told I may not upgrade the graphics card for this notebook. They don't sell this hardware, even though it comes standard on the new Inspiron 1420s. My operating system is Windows Vista. I am growing increasingly frustrated and refuse to believe there is nothing I can do to make Second Life work. Can anyone help? It would be very much appreciated! :confused

 

I doubt you're going to be able to add in a video card. Dell systems are built specifically for what they want so if they dont plan on adding a video card, they wont include the expansion slot on the motherboard. You may be able to google around and find out if anyone has been able to add one in for your model. You might also be able to check Everest (you can download it here at MGs) to see if you have any available expansion slots for a video card.

 

*deleted*

 

viper_boy403 - thank you, you have provided me with some vital info!! :cool

I was wondering - is the 8800gt (and also gts) card loud? As in does it make a lot of noise? Same question for the power supply - does that make a lot of noise?

 

the PSU should be really quiet, PC P&C makes very high quality parts. Since they were bought by OCZ recently im assuming they can only get better. I have an OCZ PSU and it's pretty quiet considering it has 2 fans. The Silencer 470 should be really quiet

As far as the video card goes, I cant say for sure. You should be able to find out about it by googling for 8800GT reviews

 

I have the Dell XPS 400:

Is this the right PSU?
http://www.compuplus.com/i-PC-Power...ower-Supply-1010104~.html?sid=d7m5os48t8lb838

On that page it says it will work with

Dimension 3000, Dell Dimension 3100, Dell Dimension 4700, Dell Dimension 5000, Dell Dimension 5100, Dell Dimension 5150, Dell Dimension 8400, Dell Dimension E310, Dell Dimension E510, Dell Dimension E520, Dell Dimension E521, Dell Optiplex GX 280, Dell OptiPlex GX280, Dell Optiplex Mini Tower GX520, Dell Optiplex Mini Tower GX620, Dell OptiPlex GX620, Dell OptiPlex GX745, Dell Power Edge SC420, Dell Precision Workstation 370
Nothing about XPS.

Will it work with XPS 400 for sure?

 

That power supply looks good to me! It should work with your PC... to be sure, contact the retailer with your PC's model number and double check. These days, even the mass marketers use a standard ATX platform so power supply swapping/upgrading usually isn't a big deal....

 

If I were you i'd call up PC power and cooling and ask them personally if it will work for your PC. if it wont then call Dell and see if they can help you find something. The only thing that's special about these PSUs are the dimensions since Dell usually uses specially sized cases and PSUs