Recommended video card? |Replacing i3 550 integrated graphics| |Dell 0C2KJT A00 mobo|

[StealthInc]

I need a video card for gaming basically. On average with lowest settings, I can run Minecraft for about 20-35 FPS, Planetside 2 for 2-4 FPS, Runescape for 25 FPS, ARMA 2 Day Z for 3-6 FPS, and SWTOR on 10 FPS, just to name a few examples. I have an Inspiron 580 model (not the 580s which is the slim model) with a quad-core i3 550 CPU... It's probably the best i3 CPU with 3.2 GHz. I have checked extensively, and it beats everything else compatible with my CPU socket but has integrated graphics and I would like to upgrade to a separate video card. The motherboard is a Dell 0C2KJT A00. I know that the motherboard has 2 PCI express X1 slots, one PCI express X16 (2.0) and one PCI slot. However, I don't know what the PSU is, and there is no sticker on the power supply. If it helps, CPU-Z says the processor's core voltage is 2.016. The PSU has never been changed in this computer, it is factory stock. I can't seem to find anything about this computer anywhere on Google, even the Dell website has nothing on it, the only exception being an out-of-stock sale on Walmart which gave no detail whatsoever. I did, however, find the motherboard specs here. I have CPU-Z if anyone needs extra information. Thank you!

 

[Widjaja]

If you are on a budget, what is the resolution you play at?

 

[StealthInc]

1600X900 resolution

 

[erocker]

Power supply is most likely the 300W version. Does it have any spare PCI-E power cables coming out of it?

 

[Widjaja]

An HD7850 or GTX650 will do the job well.
Still will have to get the PSU ID so we know how much head room it currently has but either car is not power hungry.

 

[OneMoar]

you will need to change that PSU as well
something in the 120 to 150 range should be good enough

 

[StealthInc]

Power supply is most likely the 300W version. Does it have any spare PCI-E power cables coming out of it?

All of the cables are connected to something, no spares

 

[erocker]

Well, what's your budget?

 

[StealthInc]

well, what's your budget?

$50 - $200

 

[StealthInc]

you will need to change that PSU as well
something in the 120 to 150 range should be good enough

120 - 150 what? I am a computer noob, do you mean watts?

 

[OneMoar]

120 - 150 what? I am a computer noob, do you mean watts?

price range

 

[LagunaX]

Gtx 660 is a good sub $200 bang for the buck.

 

[erocker]

CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 430W ATX12V v2.3 80 P... <-- $25 after rebate

SAPPHIRE 100355-1GOCL Radeon HD 7850 1GB 256-bit G... <-- $175 after rebate (I couldn't make a 660 fit within the price range)

$200!! I guess you could work you way down from there if you wanted to.

 

[StealthInc]

Gtx 660 is a good sub $200 bang for the buck.

Do you know how much power it uses?

 

[OneMoar]

ASUS GTX650TI-O-1GD5 GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB 128-bi...

SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 1...
Mail In rebates are a waste of time in my experience they take ages to get though ... if at all

 

[OneMoar]

Do you know how much power it uses?

you aren't gonna be running any VideoCards without changing the psu(at least not anything worth spending money on)

a 660ti will draw someware around 130W from the psu
the 650ti will draw about 100W

 

[StealthInc]

CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 430W ATX12V v2.3 80 P... <-- $25 after rebate

SAPPHIRE 100355-1GOCL Radeon HD 7850 1GB 256-bit G... <-- $175 after rebate (I couldn't make a 660 fit within the price range)

$200!! I guess you could work you way down from there if you wanted to.

I'm not sure about the PSU, especially since I have no idea how they work or how much power the one I already have supplies, and i would probably make something explode trying to install one. After a quick search, the 3.0 PSIEs are backwards compatible and I could most likely use that model in my computer, the only potential problem being the power supply of course.

 

[OneMoar]

I'm not sure about the PSU, especially since I have no idea how they work or how much power the one I already have supplies, and i would probably make something explode trying to install one. After a quick search, the 3.0 PSIEs are backwards compatible and I could most likely use that model in my computer, the only potential problem being the power supply of course.

you need to read up on the subject then else you will end up breaking something
changing a psu is plug n play(there all universal) if you aren't ready for that then you have more reading todo

 

[erocker]

I'm not sure about the PSU, especially since I have no idea how they work or how much power the one I already have supplies, and i would probably make something explode trying to install one.

Your Inspiron model usually comes with a 300W PSU not designed for any kind of upgrades. Installing a PSU isn't too bad. It's just involves removing the cable connectors and replacing with the new ones. There's a ton of guides on the net for doing it. https://www.google.com/search?q=How...0.57j0l3j62l2.3879j0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

I'm sure though that it is possible to get a lower power video card that doesn't require an external connector, but you probably won't be very satisfied with it.

 

[red_stapler]

I'm sure though that it is possible to get a lower power video card that doesn't require an external connector, but you probably won't be very satisfied with it.

7750 would work.

 

[DarkOCean]

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Expr...
no power conector.

 

[Black.Raven]

If you want to spare some bucks, a gtx650 does perform good enough for average settings.

eXtreme Power Supply Calculator Pro says you need 263 watt for your i3+a GTX650. so it would be at the roof. now i dont know how good you can trust these sites? anyone experience with this?

Just to be safe, buy a new power supply

 

[ne6togadno]

before you buy new psu remove old one and measure it (LxHxW) and check distacne between fixing screws. check if new psu will fit in those dimensions. oem companies often use nonstandart size components so you can buy spareparts only from them.