Solved Need quite a bit of help.

[Lyxander]

Hello, I decided to join this site specifically because it deals with Vista computers. I need to know if my computer can actually hold a graphics card.

Desktop or Laptop? : Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model Number: Dell/Inspiron 530
OS: Vista Home Premium 64bit
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo CPU E7400 2.80GHz
Motherboard: N/A (don't know how to access)
Memory: 6132MB RAM, 286MB Video RAM (Not sure if this is correct.)
Graphics Card(s): Intel G33/G31 Express Chipset Family (Also not sure if this is correct.)
Sound Card: Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays: N/A (Could need some help on what this is.)
Screen Resolution: 1440x900 (32bit) (60Hz)
(If I need to specify anything else, please tell me how to access it. I tried to dig up everything I could.)

I'd love to run games such as Bastion, but cannot because I only have 286MB Video Ram and not 512MB RAM. So, here are all my questions for you.

Can I actually install a graphics card?
If I can, which one is great for games such as TF2 etc.?
How do install the actual hardware graphics card?
How do install/uninstall drivers without screwing up my computer when installing a card?
Do you have to have a certain power supply to run a graphics card?

Thanks for any help. Also, I'll say this only once.

I AM NEW TO ALL OF THIS. I MAY NEED EXTENSIVE HELP IF NECESSARY. PLEASE ACTUALLY TRY TO ANSWER ONE OF THE QUESTIONS.

 

[townsbg]

The owner's manual has a lot of the info that you need to do an upgrade on your computer. Please see the website and download it. There is a good section on installing hardware. You can install a modern graphics card however you only have a 300 watt power supply so you can't get a very powerful one. I don't know how you would go about upgrading a dell psu or if their cases follow the conventional standards. If they do then you should just be able to buy one online. Also 512 mb is not enough ram for Vista. I would get at least 2 gb more.

Also I don't know how to advise you on what graphics card to buy but I'm sure that someone here does. As for uninstalling the drivers I recommend Driver Sweeper. Try the owner's manual and let us know if you have anymore questions.

 

[Lyxander]

Wow. Thanks townsbg. After 7 different tech forums, someone has actually helped me. Just these little things will help me greatly. Thank you. :D

Now, the question is, what graphics card should I get with a 300 watt power supply?

Well, I asked my friend a while ago what graphics card I should get. He suggested something made by ATI, so I went searching and found this page.

That exact one won't work for my computer because it's minimum needed power supply is 400 watts. Now, are any of those good ones? If none of them will work, would someone please help assist me in finding a good one (I'm not expecting to find one that will give my 120fps at extremely high graphics, just something that'll keep me at 30-40fps at the average graphics setting.) that only needs 300 watts?

(Also, do watts work somewhat like memory? As in, I install a 150 watt graphics card (assuming the system only receives a total of 300 watts power supply), would I only be able to use 150 watts for other things such as the desktop itself?)

 

[Lyxander]

OK, so after looking at them for a bit, the first one with a minimum of 300 watts power supply was this one.

Browsing around the specifications, it seems pretty nice. But before I choose this one, I need someone who has a nice understanding of graphics cards to determine whether this one is good or not.

For new power supplies, assuming that the graphics card that I posted there is total shat, would this (500 watts) be a good one to purchase?

I've been looking around now and found a few different ones, all made by Corsair.

600 watts.

650 watts.

750 watts.

Aaaaaand:
850 watts.

 

[townsbg]

Again, I'm not current on graphic cards but the one you listed will be better than on-board. As for PSUs, I'm concerned that the case you have might not be a standard case in which case you wouldn't be able to pick a psu and buy it. In the past they where notorious for making customized parts that where really hard to upgrade. However looking through that manual I got no indication either way as to how to upgrade the psu. For all I know you have to buy a Dell psu. I strongly recommend that you upgrade your memory because without it you system will always be slow and you have 1/4 of what you should have minimum for vista. I would put that as a higher priority than upgrading your graphics.

 

[Lyxander]

What exact memory should I upgrade? My RAM(6132MB), the video RAM(286MB), or the OS's memory(683GB)?

EDIT:
Here's some pictures of when I go into dxdiag.

Don't know if that helped or not. I only put those there so someone could specify which memory I should upgrade.

 

[Lottiemansion]

Hi,

I think it's the graphics memory you should upgrade but that comes with the new card.

Which card you buy is dependant on the money you have available. So, Look here for options: -

Compare Graphics Cards and Compare Motherboards

 

[Lyxander]

Wow, thank you. That really narrows it down. :D

Anyways, I was able to narrow it down to 2.

GeForce GT 440

GeForce GT 520

The 520 has a smaller graphics performance (x8 compared to the 440's 18x) and compute performance (5x to 8x), but has a larger memory (1024MB to the 440's 512MB). The 440 is also a bit larger in size than the 520 and requires a dual-slot.

So, which one should I get? The 520 or 440? I'm leaning towards the 520 because of the larger memory, but I'd rather have an expert's opinion.

 

[townsbg]

Actually I was referring to system memory. Because I thought that you had less than 1 gig but it looks like you have about 6 gb.

 

[Lottiemansion]

Hi,

The 520 looks like the one 'i would choose.

Are you sure you have a full sized power supply fitted?

Look here some alternatives: -

400W TFX Replacement Dell Power Supply for Model: XW605 (0XW605), YX300 (0YX300)

 

[Lyxander]

Once again, thank you sir. And that's a 400 watt, correct?

 

[Lottiemansion]

Hi & yes it is a 400W replacement PSU.

What is the model No. of your power supply unit?

 

[whs]

Do yourself a favor and don't cut it too tight with the PSU. I would go for at least 650 Watts - it costs only little more.- E.g. this one because Antecs are solid: Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

 

[Lyxander]

To find out the model number of my psu, I have to crack open my computer and look at the manufacturer's sticker, correct?

As for PSUs, I'm concerned that the case you have might not be a standard case in which case you wouldn't be able to pick a psu and buy it. In the past they where notorious for making customized parts that where really hard to upgrade. However looking through that manual I got no indication either way as to how to upgrade the psu. For all I know you have to buy a Dell psu.

What if this is true and I'm not able to install the 650 watt one that isn't manufactured by Dell, whs?

 

[Lottiemansion]

OK,

So, what is the model & rating of your curent PSU?

This information is needed to continue supporting this thread.

 

[Lyxander]

Give me a bit of time to disassemble my computer to find the PSU.

I'll post pictures of it here once I'm done.

 

[Lyxander]

Ok, found it and took a picture.

Apparently I have a 460 watt PSU with a total output of 324 watts. I don't know if that's correct though. It shows the model, but I don't know how to find the rating of it (unless it's on there).

 

[Lyxander]

When I was looking on Best Buy to see the price for the 520, I looked at the system requirements and found this (under specifications): "PCI Express- or PCI Express 2.0-compliant motherboard with 1 dual-width x16 graphics slot"

What do those mean and how can I tell if I meet these requirements? Also, when I attempted to play Portal when it was free (with all the system requirements met), it crashed as soon as I looked through the first portal. Would getting a new graphics card fix this, or...?

(My god, this is getting to be long, but thanks for all the help.)

For the GeForce GT 520, would I download the drivers here? http://www.nvidia.com/object/win7-winvista-64bit-280.26-whql-driver.html

 

[townsbg]

I don't think that 460 is the wattage but part of the serial number (if you'd notice it is the model number). Regardless the label says 324 and the manual says 300. As for your specs it does say pci express x16. Have you looked at it? You might be surprised what you can get from it even if you aren't technical so I suggest that you at least skim it.

As for the driver link, yes that's where you would get it from through nvidia however it is recommended to get grachics drivers from the manufacturer if possible. Nvidia makes the chip but there will be another manufacturer that assembles the card.

 

[Lottiemansion]

Hi,

This looks like a standard ATX 460W power supply Sizes, 150 x 86 x 140 mm: -

Amazon Discount Store - Cooler Master Elite 460W ATX +12V V2.31 SATA, PCI-E Power Supply RS460-PSAR-J3-US

So, now you can obtain a power supply to the above dimensions, say 750W & you should be ok to swap out.

Look for a US supplier for this model RS750-ACAAE3-US

Coolermaster RS750-ACAAE3-US GX 750 Watts PSU Continuous