Can my Dell take a GFX upgrade?

[jimjiber]

I've been out of the hardware loop for some time but I just replaced my PC with a Dell Dimension 9200 - it's my old work PC that they let me keep when I was made redundant.

It's pretty decent but I am a bit of a flightsim geek and the GeForce 7900GS is simply not up to the task.

I have been researching replacement cards and think I will go for the 8800 GT. However, my Dell only has a 375W PSU which may be a problem with the latest generation of GFX cards. Also, I hear that the newer cards are massive and may not fit inside the case.

Any ideas?

BTW - I have a 550W Hiper PSU in my old machine. I guess I could swap it out but I am not sure I have all the necessary leads to get everything back up and working in the Dell.

 

[valerian]

if its that much of an issue get a cheap bigger case

 

[jimjiber]

I don't know how much of an issue it is, or whether it is an issue at all. I think the case is standard ATX but I have no idea how big these GFX cards are!

 

[Roeg1]

if its that much of an issue get a cheap bigger case

dell use there own mountings for the mobo screws as far as i no this is impossible

 

[Kelt]

I don't know how much of an issue it is, or whether it is an issue at all. I think the case is standard ATX but I have no idea how big these GFX cards are!

Dell used to use BTX cases until recently(might still do in some SKU's for all I know). You sure it isn't one of them?

 

[rjk]

any decent psu will come with all the connectors for a future upgrade

the dell should be ok for a gpu upgrade

hiper are generally 'ill thought of' here

 

[aslco]

Dell used to use BTX cases until recently(might still do in some SKU's for all I know). You sure it isn't one of them?

My dimension ( the ones before the inspirons) used BTX and being athin case was a complete sod for anything you wanted to do in the way of upgrades and no overclocking ect. Im keeping wel laway from Dell unless its a laptop.

As for hiper, i have their PSU. Its fine. And Normal bog standard Dells only just have enough power and cables to power the machine you bought. It may be quite hard to get anything other than a 4670 (the best card which doesn't require a 6 or 8 pin plug)

 

[jimjiber]

Thanks for the replies. I found some info on the 9200 although it doesn't say whether ATX or BTX. However, it definitely looks exactly like this:

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/dimen_9200?c=ae&l=en&s=gen&~tab=specstab

Oh, and the current GFX card (a 7900GS) does have a power lead connected to it, I assume this is a "six-pin"

 

[errata]

9200 is BTX, CPU and its shroud in the middle of the board can get in the way but there is room alongside for cards upto x1950 pro or 4850 length if you pick the right card.

DELL PSU's are conservatively rated, but you may need a molex to pci-e adapater and some rejigging to get the internals sorted.

First check is to rule in or out dual slot cards. I suspect not cards with dual back plates but yes to cards with thicker than 1 slot coolers provided they are thick at the middle of the card and not at the power connector end.

Cards with the arctic cooling lookalike cooler such as

http://www.powercolor.com/global/products_features.asp?ProductID=7 this will fit. Arctic cooling advertised that cooler shape as btx compatible

 

[aslco]

Stilll, you wont have a connector for the 4850 ibelieve. If there are no spare cables dangling about then you won't be able to have anything higher than a 4670. 4670 is still a good upgrade though. Its inbetween the 3850 and the 3870. And they quite comfortably beat the 7900GS

 

[jimjiber]

9200 is BTX, CPU and its shroud in the middle of the board can get in the way but there is room alongside for cards upto x1950 pro or 4850 length if you pick the right card.

DELL PSU's are conservatively rated, but you may need a molex to pci-e adapater and some rejigging to get the internals sorted.

First check is to rule in or out dual slot cards. I suspect not cards with dual back plates but yes to cards with thicker than 1 slot coolers provided they are thick at the middle of the card and not at the power connector end.

Cards with the arctic cooling lookalike cooler such as

http://www.powercolor.com/global/products_features.asp?ProductID=7 this will fit. Arctic cooling advertised that cooler shape as btx compatible

So this one will be fine...

oops!

Seems a bit cheap - can it really offer much more than what I already have?

 

[nands]

You need to remove that link!

 

[jimjiber]

You need to remove that link!

sorry mods - how stupid of me!



what I meant to say was that card was only £45, which is surely around the same price as my 7900GS

 

[Legionaire68]

The 9200 does have a six pin pci express connector, I had an 8800GTS and X1900xt running on it and Dell used to fit up to 8800GTX's in them.

 

[errata]

So this one will be fine...

oops!

Seems a bit cheap - can it really offer much more than what I already have?

yes it would but I meant that cooler shape which is still fitted to newer cards as well

 

[Metalface Mark]

You can easily fit a 8800GT in there, i had a 8800GTX in my old 9200.

 

[jimjiber]

You can easily fit a 8800GT in there, i had a 8800GTX in my old 9200.

Did you need to upgrade the 375W PSU to take that card?

 

[jimjiber]

This 8800 seems stupidly cheap...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-011-PN&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1008&name=PNY%20GeForce%208800%20GT%20256MB%20GDDR3%20HDTV/Dual%20DVI%20(PCI-Express)%20-%20Retail