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GPU upgrade for a DELL 460

WLB79

WLB79

WLB79

Associate
Joined
16 Dec 2008
Posts
45
I've just got hold of a Dell Vostro 460 and I'm looking at upgrading the GPU. The Specs are

i5 3.3ghz
8GB RAM
1TB HDD
Radeon HD5450
350 Watt PSU
Windows 10 64 bit

Now my first issue is not having much money to spend, so if I can upgrade to card that works with Win10 without changing the PSU then I'd be very happy.
However, it's more likely the PSU will need to go as well in which case I don't want to spend much more than £150 if I can.

The other issue I'm less sure about is having a PCIE 1.0 slot and whether this will limit the choice of cards.

It will mainly be used for games but I don't expect to be running anything on Ultra settings, just having games like Alien Isolation running at a reasonable from rate will do for me.


Thanks in advance.
 
Have you opened it and taken a look at the PSU? Sometimes pre-builts like this use proprietary connectors which can make installing aftermarket upgrades difficult be it a new PSU or a new graphics card.
 
kaku said:
Have you opened it and taken a look at the PSU? Sometimes pre-builts like this use proprietary connectors which can make installing aftermarket upgrades difficult be it a new PSU or a new graphics card.
Click to expand...

A quick google suggests that the 460 isn't proprietary, although can't tell 100% from the images whether it is a standard size.

e.g. this thread shows someone replacing PSU with a Corsair unit
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3515/t/19383463

and this one mentions specific PSU requirements for a 460:
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3515/t/19627029
 
I had a look the other day and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary with the connectors. As for the size I'll have to look later to see how it's held in place. I'll post a photo if I get time this evening.
 
I've had another look inside and it all looks pretty standard to me. I have one spare 6 pin connector if I went with an r7 but the word "pop" worries me.;)
I expect I'm better off spending a few more pounds on a better PSU and not taking any risks.

Assuming I upgrade both PSU and GPU what would you recommend?
 
CAT-THE-FIFTH said:
It might worth waiting another two weeks or so for the RX460 to launch. It appears to be bus powered.
Click to expand...

That is an interesting option. I assume the information on the 460 &470 are a bit sketchy at the moment. I'd like to know whether the 470 might work as well?
 
kaku said:
Have you opened it and taken a look at the PSU? Sometimes pre-builts like this use proprietary connectors which can make installing aftermarket upgrades difficult be it a new PSU or a new graphics card.
Click to expand...

That and sometimes just lack of connectors entirely. Plus Dell motherboards are backwards so the card ends up being the wrong way up (fan facing upwards, so they collect far more dust etc). The Dell PSUs tend to be pretty crappy as well.

A new/better PSU won't fit the dell case and the motherboard won't fit a standard case. They have it all stitched up :P
 
Last edited:
WLB79 said:
That is an interesting option. I assume the information on the 460 &470 are a bit sketchy at the moment. I'd like to know whether the 470 might work as well?
Click to expand...
It's a cut down version of the same chip used in the 480 and has a single 6-pin just like that card. No TDP has been mentioned yet, but assuming it uses a bit less power than the 480, you might get away with it on that PSU. It really depends on how well-built it is. Does it even have an 80+ rating?
 
Nasher said:
That and sometimes just lack of connectors entirely. Plus Dell motherboards are backwards so the card ends up being the wrong way up (fan facing upwards, so they collect far more dust etc). Dell's PSU don't tend to be very reliable either.
Click to expand...

A quick search shows the 460 to be mATX and not BTX.

Should be fine looking at the pictures, but it's hard to tell if Dell is using the standard pin layout, as mentioned before there are a few Dell systems that uses a proprietary pin layout.
 
I'd post a photo of the board but I can't work out how to go about it. I haven't posted an image here before, do I need to upload it to an image hosting site first or can it go straight from my PC?
 
WLB79 said:
I'd post a photo of the board but I can't work out how to go about it. I haven't posted an image here before, do I need to upload it to an image hosting site first or can it go straight from my PC?
Click to expand...
Yeah, upload to an image hosting site first and stick it between some
tags (with
tags around those if it's quite large).
 
The PSU is a standard ATX one, so swapping it out for something better would be no bother. From what I've read elsewhere, people have had no bother changing them out. You can get solid 500W 80 Plus units for ~£35 from the likes of EVGA or XFX. Probably worth the investment, as it'd open up a lot more options for a GPU upgrade.
 
Thanks. As price is going to be a big factor I think I need to wait to see what the Rx460 & 470 go for. I understand upgrading the PSU will give me more options but if there is a chance I can save money and just get a Rx460 that works with what I've already got then I'm likely to take that option.
 
It's been a couple of months, but now the 470 is here it looks like a simple decision for me.

The RX470 at £165 is pretty much in my budget and I won't need to upgrade my PSU, which has the spare six pin necessary to power it. It really looks like the card for me.

If any of you think there is a better option that would be just as good but cheaper or a lot better performance for not much more money, please let me know.

I know the 460 will be out shortly but I don't see how it will be a better option if I can afford a 470.
 
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