PC hardware forum: Is it time to get a new Video Card?

I'm not too comfortable with removing the video card myself. I did open the case and cleaned all visible dust already -- it made no difference. Is there more dust hiding in the slot or other nooks and crannies?

I have since read that the fan can be replaced although it can be tricky to source the right one and I would have to find someone to swap it out.

The replacement cards I've been perusing seem to be in the 60-80 dollar range. Is there a good website for comparing cards where I can get all the specs side by side? I'll have to dig out the specs on what I've got too to understand differences.

While its true you may find it difficult to obtain a replacement fan, you won't know until you have video card "in hand" to see what's needed. Then, you can certainly clean the card as best as possible. Re-install it and check results. -OR- Forgo that and just buy a new one, you know the process in order to replace card. As for costs, you buy what you deem can afford. All this is possible depending on your skills. We're not getting into big project, it's fairly simple and straight-forward on what's to be done.

Looking for a video card comparison, just google away at cost levels and once found, look-up similar cards and compare specs. You may want to find exactly what you have and then find similar or better at a cost you like. As for comparison lists, usually these are for higher cost cards, so you may leave yourself out. But, check this website: http://www.tomshardware.com Also, I find Amazon a big help as they list just about anything with your parameters given.

tada -----Willy

Unfortunately, step 1, I cannot get a real good handle on the specs of what I've got!! The nVidia website has them, but qualifies it for OEM cards "Specs may vary by OEM". And Dell does not publish the detail card specs as built! The card is supposed to have HDMI, according to nvidia, but yet I see no HDMI connector slot. There's 28 listed specs on the nvidia site and it's not always clear which ones are choice-driven (HDMI, dual-DVI, etc.) or critical (Min System Power Requirements). The main goal is to be sure it is compatible with the rest of the PC. I don't know for sure which items point to compatibility issues, or relate to robustness or are just optional features.

For example, Memory Interface Width claims to be 256-bit on mine, but most others I see are 128-bit. Do I care? Bus Support says existing card is PCI-E 2.0, but other cards I've seen 2.1 or 3.0. Does that mean it won't fit or is that a more modern good thing? Memory Interface for existing is GDDR3. Does that preclude GDDR5 for me? Texture Fill Rate is 37.8 on mine and 28.8 on a candidate card. again, do I care? probably not, but I don't know. Width is single-slot on mine, and dual-width on another. Probably okay I think because other slots are unused. On and on and on...

It would be nice if Dell had an upgrade path to overhaul 3+ year old systems for the casual end user who is not proficient in hardware details, but they would prefer I just buy a new computer, I'm sure!

Thanks for the toms link, but seems more attuned to gamer cards. I couldn't find any filter or detailed search capability. Newegg has good comparison and advanced filtering capabilities that I have been using, but now I have to understand the results!!!

I checked out the ATI 5450 mentioned above (thanks, Bob) but it says it requires 400W PSU. Perhaps they are being conservative in that spec, but there are a few geforce cards that state 350W min which seems wiser. The 5450 also stated PCI Express 2.1 x16 and I don't know what that refers to compared to my existing 2.0.

Dell with only a 250 psu and I am using the ATI 5450 with no problems as a matter of fact IT ROCKS ...Digger

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131338&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA&gclid=COq7nIqYwLQCFYZaMgoddm8AAA

That looks interesting...incredible price. fanless would explain lower PSU requirement! I'll add it to the list. It's got lower specs than some of mine, though. But I probably wouldn't notice.

It has the PCI Express 2.1 spec and I wonder if that works with my mobo. My current card is PCIE 2.0. Are they backward compatible? Probably so, if you have an old PC too.

It looks like the GT-630 fits the bill so far in my search. Comes in 1GB or 2GB. $50 or $55, which is still cheap IMO. Perhaps can even do better at Amazon too.

How important is manufacturer? When I started this search I thought nVidia or ATI was mfr. Now I see that many companies produce the same (?) thing. I initially just picked EVGA to limit the search hits to keep me focused. I guess I should now check out the various manufacturer choices for a single model number.

these questions, he's the Man!

Some of those are spec changes and not a change to the slots.

The maker? There is only one name I won't buy and that's Jaton. Long story.

Unless you can get a bigger PSU, I'd get the 5450 and have fun with it.
Bob

would fit but wasn't sure so ask the pros. I also went with 4 gig of ram plus with this 5450 w/1gig of it's own really spunked up the old Dell. I do play some games like Torchlight 2 and it does just fine ....Digger

Thanks Bob. Good to know those tips for future. My xps 8000 is fine as is for what I do with it. If this darn card would just quiet down, I would call this a great machine.

from prior thread:
"How important is manufacturer? When I started this search I thought nVidia or ATI was mfr. Now I see that many companies produce the same (?) nvidia or ATI thing."

From what I can gather, the differences for the same model # and diff mfrs seem to be in output connections or 1GB/2GB memory. Is there anything else that differentiates one mfr from another? Do they put their own fan's in? Are there some manufacturers that have better quality reps than others?

I am leaning towards the Geforce GT 630. It is still quite cheap and has specs that are a closer match with what I've got. I limited my search to those with PCIE 2.0 just to limit the possibilities. What about GDDR3 or DDR3 or GDDR5? No idea what that means in practical purposes. Can I ignore that as far as compatiblity goes? Again, I limited search to DDR3 just to match existing because I don't know what it means.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600007320%20600007610&IsNodeId=1&name=Radeon%20HD%205450

If you don't mind the mir game......looks like 15 bucks.

Fans?.......why bother.
Connectors?......they all seem to have the common stuff.
For the non-gamer......don't over analyze this stuff......you'll go crazy.