Video Card Upgrade for Dell 4600

Ok, I know that the system is old now but I am in the process of upgrading the system to max performance.

I'd like to get a new video card for the system - replacing the factory installed Intel unit. I've been doing some research and was considering a Nvidia GeForce.

Can someone recommend a specific vc based upon the capacity of the Dell 4600...AGP 8X. Also, I would like to not have to update the power supply from where it is now 250W.

Thanks is advance.

 

What happened to the "stock" card that cam with the unit. According to the spec sheet that I read, it should have come with an ATI card.

http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/dell-dimension-4600-pentium/4505-3118_7-30529709.html

"You'll find two open PCI slots below the powerful Radeon 9800 Pro graphics card."

Are you sure that you have an Intel card?

 

No, I am not sure that it is an Intel card. Perhaps my read of the spec sheet was incorrect. I understood the following to be my graphics card - Graphics Processor / Vendor Integrated Intel Extreme Graphics 2 - which evidently it is not.

I never changed anything from what originally came with the unit (except for a RAM upgrade). Now, I do not know what video card is in the unit. For some reason I don't think that it is the Radeon Card referenced on Cnet.

How can I confirm the video card that is actually in my system? Help?!?

 

Running the service tag at dell.com will show you what it was sold/shipped with.

Looking at the back will give you a clue:

VGA connector is vertical (straight edges vertical) - probably add-on card
VGA connector is horizontal and near the keyboard connectors - probably integrated (on-board) graphics.

For Windows XP:

Right click on desktop --> properties --> adapter will tell you the adapter.

 

Ok, Here is what my pc tells me that I have:

Intel 82865G Graphics Controller...Not so good, no?



What would be a good, compatible vc for this PC that has a power supply of 250W? AGP compliant

 

The system is realistically beyond upgrade to play any modern games. It will only take AGP cards which are limited to last generation midrange cards at best, and the CPU in it will be too slow to play modern games. If all you need an upgrade for is to play light games (and you will need one, integrated graphics are terrible), then a card like an X1650 AGP will do fine. If you want even the ability to play new games though, it's time to bin the whole system.

 

I am going to buy this ati x1650 pro agp 4x/8x

Do I have a free socket to plug in the power connector that is required with this video card. Can't quite seem to figure this out.

Thanks for all the help and comments so far.

 

This card uses the power connector for a floppy disk drive. While this is unusual, it's not unheard of. All power supplies have at least one floppy power connector, usually two.

 

I'm going to try and run it with the stock 250W power supply that came with the Dell 4600. Do you think it will work?

 

350W according to the manufacturer's specs.

I'm not running any other high-power intensive components so I figure that I may be able to get away with the 250W.

 

Thank you. Would you be able to recommend a 400w psu from a reputable mfgr that costs < $100? I am new to this pc upgrade thing and it can be confusing at times.

 

It might work depending on which CPU you have. To be on the safe side though, replace the PSU.
You can't stick any old PSU in a Dell, it needs to be the right shape.
This is the only unit I can think of that will work, there may be others I haven't found though
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703016