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Upgrading my graphics card to play Minecraft...

needhelp123

needhelp123

needhelp123

Associate
Joined
30 May 2011
Posts
29
Yes, it says Minecraft. One of the most simple and graphically-relaxed games there are.

But I need a new graphics card to play it. But I don't really know what to buy or how to install it into my computer. Plus I need to keep costs to a minimum.

Here's my system information. Please ask for any other information you may need to help me.

------------------
System Information
------------------

System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: OptiPlex GX280
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A07
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz, ~3.0GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 2038MB RAM
Page File: 976MB used, 3099MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2582&SUBSYS_01791028&REV_04
Display Memory: 122.0 MB
Dedicated Memory: n/a
Shared Memory: n/a
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model:
Monitor Id:
Native Mode:
Output Type:
Driver Name: igxprd32
Driver File Version: 6.14.0010.4704 (English)
Driver Version: 6.14.10.4704
DDI Version: 9
Driver Model: unknown
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 10/6/2006 22:23:32, 53248 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-66C2-11CF-F861-7321A5C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2582
SubSys ID: 0x01791028
Revision ID: 0x0004
Driver Strong Name: Unknown
Rank Of Driver: Unknown
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
D3D9 Overlay: n/a
DXVA-HD: n/a
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Not Available
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Many thanks for looking at this thread, and helping me out! :D
 
I doubt u can even upgrade with that dell mainboard the card will probably be soldered on, atleast thats what my old one was like
 
Hi :)

I'm going to guess that at best you have an AGP slot which can be used but we will try to figure that out now.

AGP_PCI_PCIE_PCIEx1_Bus.jpg


The above image shows the different slots which graphic cards call home.

  • PCI-Express x16 is the current standard but you will unlikely have this on a Pentium 4 based system.
  • AGP is the previous standard which you hopefully have free.
  • PCI is the oldest and it would be hard to find such cards these days on retail sites.

If you could open up your computer while the power is off and try to see what slots you have available or take a picture and let us have a look please :)


@Liam123
The Intel display card may not be a separate card but actually on the motherboard and if it is a separate card it could be disabled and another card in the system set to the primary display perhaps.

There are defiantly smarter people here when it comes to this stuff who might correct me on that but this is me being optimistic.
 
According to the spec I found (on some site or other) you have a x16 PCI Express slot available.

I'd go for something pretty low end, after all Minecraft is pretty low on demand from what I've seen. Maybe something like a HD5570 which will have very limited graphical grunt but not as little as a true HTPC type card.

Need a budget though as 'keep costs to a minimum' is meaningless really.
 
Last edited:
MichaelM said:
If you could open up your computer while the power is off and try to see what slots you have available or take a picture and let us have a look please :)
Click to expand...

I'll try to do this as soon as possible, but as I'm using the computer right now, this might take a few hours.

Thanks for your reply.

Tealc said:
Need a budget though as 'keep costs to a minimum' is meaningless really.
Click to expand...

£30 to £40. :)
 
The black slot with the green clip is your pci express slot. Looks like it'll take a dual slot if you need it.
 
just be weary of the length of the new card as it's doubtful you'll be able to fit a full length one in there :)
 
they'll come in various lengths, just measure the space you have in the case and keep it in mind when looking for a graphics card.

I don't think you'll be putting anything high end in there as the PSU wont be up to it, so you should probably be OK, just bear it in mind :)
 
Olly said:
they'll come in various lengths, just measure the space you have in the case and keep it in mind when looking for a graphics card.

I don't think you'll be putting anything high end in there as the PSU wont be up to it, so you should probably be OK, just bear it in mind :)
Click to expand...

Ah, ok. Any suggestions as to which card?
 
needhelp123 said:
Is it possible for you to circle that? And what's a dual slot?
Click to expand...

He means in pic 4 , the black slot with the green clip on the end, under the black and yellow wire, with DELL written on the board near the end of it.

Dual slot just means there is enough space to fit the width of the card. Modern graphics cards are now that wide that they take up "2 slots" ie: it would end up covering the white slot in the picture below the black one.

Thats ok though.

Those silver tabs at the bottom of the pic will come off, and you will need to take 2 of them off, so the new card will poke out the back and you can attach the monitor to it - also thats where they exhaust the air from the fan

Like others have said, measure how much space you have for the length of the card...also check what extra (if any) power connectors a new graphics card might need.


**Edit** With the recommended card you will probably only need to take 1 tab off ?
 
Last edited:
I'd probably go with the already suggested option of the 5450, as it doesn't need any extra power connectors and will eat through minecraft :)
 
Is it possible for you to circle that? And what's a dual slot?
Click to expand...

4th picture down. There's 2 vertical slots towards the right hand side of the shot. A white one, and a dark one with a green flappy bit at the top. It's partially obscured by a yellow and black cable. That's where the graphics card will fit.

Be careful what you recommend, that Dell won't have much available PSU capacity for big graphics cards. If you can stretch to £50 get a 5570.
 
Agreed I'd go 5450 as well. It's passive and cheap. Possible to go a bit more powerful but it would probably be wasted considering the rest of system is almost antique now.
 
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