Dell Dimension 3000 - Suggestions for Graphics Upgrade

Yeah, the 6200 pci is one of the few pci's that can "run" newer games. I mentioned it in this thread quite a while ago as evidenced by my quote.

Does a Dell Dimension 3000 have PCI or PCI express for Graphic Cards

Does a Dell Dimension 3000 have PCI or PCI express for Graphoc Cards

Pci only afaik.

Edit: confirmed, 3 pci slots.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3000/en/SM/specs.htm#wp1075776

What is afaik?

As Far As I Know

I found a GeForce 6200 256MB PCI at:

http://www.chumbo.com/Info.aspx?id=322418

But will it work with a 32 bit computer?

I have a Dimension 3000... as expected.

Thanks!

I found a GeForce 6200 256MB PCI at:

http://www.chumbo.com/Info.aspx?id=322418

But will it work with a 32 bit computer?

I have a Dimension 3000... as expected.

Thanks!

It does suck that Dell Dimension 3000's don't have an AGP slot. It appears that Dell's only come with AGP from Dimensions 4100 and up. This of course does not include the "S" models, ex. 4500S, because they do not have an AGP slot either.

For Dimension 3000s I have to agree about the FX5500 PCI cards. I have heard some good things about them, so long as you do not do a lot of gaming. Just make sure as others have said to get the 128-bit memory interface, retailers can be kind of tricky.

cyberdyno, the card you linked to is good(the best pci card), but the 128mb version is almost the same performance for about half the price.
http://www.chumbo.com/Info.aspx?id=304966

And yes, even a 64bit memory 6200 beats a 5500 or 5700le card.
http://www.digital-daily.com/video/nv-gf6200agp-roundup/index02.htm
(the 6200's in the review are 64bit)

One thing I think you guys are forgetting... The card specs (for the 6200) say that you should have at least a 300watt power supply while the dimension 3000 only has a 250watt one. It might work but it also might just cause headaches unless you pick up a new psu as well.

Most of the 3000's are a very basic config though. According to the "psu calc," an average setup of a 3ghz prescott 478 cpu, 2 sticks of ddr ram, a 6200, 1 hd, 1 dvd-rw, a pci card, 2 usb devices, and a 92mm fan equaled a power usage of 234w. Now if the pc has two opticals or two hard drives it may have issues, but if it has a single hd and a single optical drive, then it should run it, if dell's 250w is ok, which I think it is.

Next, don't listen to people who tell you you can't put a normal power supply in any dell(some dell's had proprietary power supplies several years ago). This series, the 2300, 2350, 2400, and 3000, all seem to be atx. I replaced a psu in a 2300 with an antec sl350 350w psu and it works great.
Here's a cheap power supply that seems decent if anyone needs one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104901

Hiya i have a dell dimension 1100 and i too found the graphics capabilities too be not very good, well lets face it awful. After a lot of being messed around with dell i purchased a nvidia geforce 5500 pci card and i have been struggling to get it too work i am trying too get hold of drivers from Nvidia which will allow it too work with the dell chipset. Which dell have told me is not recommended for gaming. I replyed politely not everyone has £1000 to blow on a dell xps. I am still trying to get this card too work and have taken my computer apart at least 10 times i will post another message if i manage too upgrade this computer. Good luck Ali

If you go to nvidia.com and search for drivers for your card you should find what you need.

Here's a link to the 84.21 drivers, in case you don't want to search for it.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_84.21.html

They list support for the fx5500 card, so they should work.

Different Brand

The ATI Radeon 9250 works great in the Dimension 3000 if you want to play games with great graphics. The Intel graphics are some of the worst on the market

graphics cards

i have a dell dimension 3000 and would like to know what is the best grapgisc card tht i can get for it. it only had PCI slots, i looked at the radeon 9250 but is there anything out there that is better.

The nvidia 6200 pci is the best pci card you can get for it, as is already stated in this thread.
http://www.chumbo.com/Info.aspx?id=304966

JasonH,

I have a Dimension 3000 and just bought the Radeon 9250 as well but I'm having troubles getting it to work. When I insert the card into the PCI slot the PC either doesn't boot or boots with no display. I've disabled the Intel graphics prior to inserted the card. Was there anything else that you did to get it to work???

Roger

Rogerz I had the same problem with my dimension 1100, i couldn't get my card too work with the computer, start with your computer working off the intel graphics again and start it up and enter the setup menu in the bios by pressing i think F2 as your computer starts up. Then go to integrated devices and the should be a title along the lines of Onboard Video. On my Dimension 1100 it is second to the bottom. You should have two options one is Onboard which it should be set too and Auto which should be disabled. Set this to Auto then go and turn off your intel graphics. You should now be able to work you screen off the graphics card and everything should work properly.

I don't know what cards have come out on the market recently but i have got a nvidia geforce FX 5500 in my dell dimension and it works a wonder apart from an extra fan is needed to keep the card cool. I have not tried the Radeon and neither do i know Anyone who has one of these cards but my card allows me to uses some of the newer powerfull games such as Star Wars: Republic Commando.

Thanks Cartera, but I've already done that. The Video graphics IS set to Auto instead of OnBoard. Any other suggestions??