Video card for a low end PC

[Katmaster]

Hi there,
I have been browsing the web in search of advice on upgrading my current system, with lots of confusion.

So after spending alot of time browsing the net and trying to figure out what will work with my system, I have found a few things that "I think?" may work as upgrade's.

Basicly I just want to know what you think about my choices and "if" they will work out.

Here is the specs on my system "pretty bad I know but it was free"
http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/dell-dimension-3000-celeron/4507-3118_7-31077378.html

So far I have put in a 250gb hd and a dvd rom drive. I know I need 2 sticks of ram as the current 256mb is just terrible. But the real question I have is about a Video card, as I just want the system to be able to play World of warcraft. "I will have the game set on low end settings"

Here is a video card for a very affordible price that I found,
http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0291634

I was also looking at some of the other cards on the same site.
http://microcenter.com/search/searc...ategory=HH1B&manufacturer_title=&sortby=match

If you could tell me if any of those cards would be a good choice for me please let me know, or point me in the direction of what you think would be my best bet.

Thank you in advance, hope you can help

 

[kimsland]

Here is your computer
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...temID=DIM_CEL_3000&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid

It presently has:
Integrated Intel Extreme Graphics 2

You might want to check this thread:
So you only have PCI slots and want to game?


But I don't believe it is worth updating to a newer Video card in this older Model

 

[Katmaster]

Yeah I really don't want to invest much in this computer, but its what im going to be stuck with for a while "about 8 months or so"

I have $0 in the machine right now, so spending $44.99 on http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0291634 wouldn't be a problem.

With that in mind would it still not be worth it?
as far as performance goes, with the extra ram im putting in "1gb" and possibly that video card, would I not see much of a change in performance?

 

[kimsland]

It's a 128Meg PCI Video card
Personal thought, not worth it

You need to be aware, you do not have a gaming machine.
The real issue is, if you put in another Vide card, you may then need to update the Power Supply
And you may need to fit another case fan in it

I don't think so

But it's your money :grinthumb

 

[electromagnetic]

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Dimension 3000

For your ram.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187042

Your PCI card.:grinthumb

You don't need to upgrade power supply.:approve:

 

[kimsland]

Well Power Supply says 250Watt : http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3000/en/SM/specs.htm#wp1076117

If you add up the new Ram (wanted)
Another fan (maybe?)
Video Card
Drives etc

Is it under 250Watt ? It would have to be close, if not more

 

[Katmaster]

If i could run 2gigs of ram and a 512mb video card along with my dvd rom drive and 250gb hd on 250 watts of power, that would be amazing.. I have no idea how to find out though' lol

 

[kimsland]

Here's an online power supply calculator
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/powercalc.jsp
There may be better ones out there, this is just via a Google search

 

[Tedster]

If it's a PCI video card, You don't need to upgrade the PSU. If it's AGP or PCI-E, then upgrade it. But you're going to spend more than $300 if you do both in which case you might as well build a new system.

 

[Katmaster]

I found ram a little cheaper here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146545
but not sure if its the same as http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=45CB81FFA5CA7304

I know one is pc2700 and one is pc3200 but are they backwards compatible?