Upgrading a Demension 4600?

[The Joker]

I've got a Dell 4600 with regular bits and pieces in there save 2gig extra ram. I don't want to use my other PC b/c its wireless, this one isn't so it doesn't really rubberband on me, but the ATI 9800 pro 128mb doesn't cut it. What is the best card I can throw into this machine? I've heard things about it not being cut out for upgrades.

[OverlordArk]

Originally Posted by The Joker I've got a Dell 4600 with regular bits and pieces in there save 2gig extra ram. I don't want to use my other PC b/c its wireless, this one isn't so it doesn't really rubberband on me, but the ATI 9800 pro 128mb doesn't cut it. What is the best card I can throw into this machine? I've heard things about it not being cut out for upgrades.

A lot of dells(keep in mind not all of them) are made to fit certain pieces, so while you CAN upgrade it, it's probable that you'll have to consult Dell on what pieces they have available for your machine. I have a Dell here at home, and it's a pretty old one, I tried to fit it for upgrades once(the CD-ROM was broken) but came to find out that I couldn't. The case has a strange shape, and the CD-ROM drive that came with it was designed to just fit that case, I couldn't fit any standard CD-ROM drive, or even ever hope to have a DVD-ROM on it. I gave up on that PC long ago, I use it for some minor programming and script testing.

Point is, your best option with brand-PCs is to consult the manufacturer before you try to make changes to it. Granted, they'll more than likely rip you off, and for the price of one upgrade you could have a lot more, but it's usually the only option with brand-name PCs.

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by OverlordArk Point is, your best option with brand-PCs is to consult the manufacturer before you try to make changes to it. Granted, they'll more than likely rip you off, and for the price of one upgrade you could have a lot more, but it's usually the only option with brand-name PCs.

Yeah, I understand I shot myself in the foot with this piece of junk. All I'm looking for really is a new graphics card to run Potbs; I don't have any other games or anything I use this for, just internet and Potbs, the 360 can handle the rest of my gaming needs, just wondering if anyone knew a card that works with this tub and is pretty good with Potbs.

[OverlordArk]

Originally Posted by The Joker Yeah, I understand I shot myself in the foot with this piece of junk. All I'm looking for really is a new graphics card to run Potbs; I don't have any other games or anything I use this for, just internet and Potbs, the 360 can handle the rest of my gaming needs, just wondering if anyone knew a card that works with this tub and is pretty good with Potbs.

http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/del...html?tag=specs

That's what I found on that machine. Is that the right one?

According to CNET that has an integrated intel video card, and I couldn't find(unless I missed it) any AGP/PCI-E ports listed anywhere. If it's integrated, and it has nowhere to put a graphic card, then it really cannot be upgraded.

You said you had an ATI 9800 PRO, where did you see this? Did you open up the case at any point in time to check if it's connected through AGP/PCI/Whatever?

Please let me know if you're sure about your board having an AGP slot(or anything to put in a video card for that matter). If you're not sure, don't toy with it, just link me to somewhere that may have the correct specs and shows the ATI Radeon 9800 as part of the 4600 Dimension, and I'll look into it.

-Edit-
I'm really going blind. I found the ATI Radeon 9800s as part of the spec there. Apparently it's on AGP 8x. Odds are, in that case, that you can just rip that one out and put in a new one. As far as which one, I'm not too familiar with ATI models(I'm really not a huge fan), but I found you a list here:
http://www.ewiz.com/query.php?categry=85
Those are all AGP, you can find the one that fits your price range, or is to your liking.

Once again, however, I must state that you should look inside your computer(or have someone do it if you can't), and see if the video card can be removed/replaced. Since the Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB is on AGP8x, if it can be removed, any of the cards listed above should do the trick.

-Edit-
This one exceeds the minimum requirements and should perform rather well(it's also AGP8x, like the Radeon 9800).

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=AT-A165PR5

Has over the required shader model, plenty of memory, but like most ATI products a real power-hog.

[P. Pete]

If your limited to AGP, then find a 7600GT [not GS, but GT] and make sure its a 256mb version.

also limit yourself to 1024x768 or similar widescreen res or it'll really struggle.

[Scooder]

What Pete said, or if you want to stick to ATI, something like a 1600 (or 1650) would work. Ensure you get an AGP card, not PCI-E.

[Brightmoon]

You can get a GeForce 7900 for AGP as well, but the price is probably not worth it.

Either way, an upgrade is only going to help you short-term. In the long run your system is pretty much a dead end for further upgrades.

[The Joker]

Wow, thanks a ton for all the help. I'm going to order the best Nvidia or ATI card I can get (within reason) that will work for my PC off newegg now that I know what to look for, thanks guy.

And I don't really need the PC to be that great, a 7800 or whatever is a big step up from a 9800 128, so its certainly enough for me.

Edit:

Did a bit of looking, was wondering, I've got the stock power supply, fans and the like, would this
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=AT-A165PR5&show=r

Or this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130099

Be better in terms of heat and power?

[Scooder]

Late reply, but...

Check to see how much wattage is stated on your power supply now. You'll want atleast 350W, 400W to be safe. And the two cards are similar power consumption wise - within about 5-10w. You'll probably be fine.

I wouldn't go above a 7600GT. The rest of your system is old enough that it wouldn't be a valuable decision, you won't get the full performance boost of a killer video card.

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by Scooder Late reply, but... Check to see how much wattage is stated on your power supply now. You'll want atleast 350W, 400W to be safe. And the two cards are similar power consumption wise - within about 5-10w. You'll probably be fine. I wouldn't go above a 7600GT. The rest of your system is old enough that it wouldn't be a valuable decision, you won't get the full performance boost of a killer video card.

Nah, I'm getting the 7600, I have a friend who had that ATI card and always had issues, up to the point when it died on him. I think my power supply is 250W, how would I upgrade it?