Need advice concerning graphics card

[Dobber]

Hello folks, I have acquired a refurbished Dell Optiplex GX 270 Computer. I want to install a graphics card in it instead of using the onboard graphics. It is a small from factor computer and requires low profile(half size) cards. Does anyone know where I can find a low profile card, and what would be a good one. The system has a P4 2.66mhz processor, 512 MB DDR 400 ram, and is running WIN 2000 Pro. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Richard]

You could try looking for one here
http://www.zipzoomfly.com
They have decent prices for comp parts most of the time.

I found this, maybe it will help
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?model=OptiPlex+GX270+Series+(Desktop +and+Mini-Tower)&tabid=GC

Or you could ask in the dell forums
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board?board.id=oplex_upgrade&page=2

I'm not very familiar with Dell optiplex, so can't help much with it.

[Dobber]

Thanks Richard, I have discovered that Dell supports the nVidia 128 MB DDR Nvidia GeForce FX 5200, nVidia 64MB DDR nVidia GeForce4 MX, and the ATI 128MB PCI-Express x16 (Dual VGA or DVI) Radeon X300. There may be other cards that will work, but they have driver downloads for those three at their site.
Thanks for the links, I will give them a look. I may try to go with the GeForce FX 5200, I am familiar with it, it is what I have in the machine I already have, but it is full profile, so I can't use it. Well I wouldn't use it anyway, I am keeping this one in service. I like what I have, I just can't play some of the games I want to(i.e. Age of Empire III), because of the 1.33 processor.

[Webmaster]

the Nvidia FX or MX series won't make you happy!
the first thing you need to know, do u have an AGP or PCIe interface.
every GPU works in every PC with the right bus!

the drivers for the cards you get on the manufactors websites or as reference drivers directly by ATI or Nvidia.

i am running a 6800GT 256MB ram and quite happy, even halflife² looks great. it's not the newest anymore, but still fair enough.

you should also consider upgrading your RAM to 1 or 2 GB, if you want to enjoy ANNO 1701.

[Dobber]

Do they make the 6800GT in a low profile to fit form factor machines? And I do plan on upgrading the RAM, It arrived with 2 sticks of 256 in it. Graphics card first, then the ram.
I was thinking I read somewhere that the MX was not very good at all, I couldn't remember about the FX though.

[Webmaster]

MX are crippeled versions of the GPU, to make 'em cheap!
the FX series was released after the 4000 series, like Ti42000 and before the 6000 series, like a 6800GT

[Dobber]

I have found a 512MB nVidia GeForce 6200TC PCI-E Graphics Video Card that is low profile. GPU Model: GeForce 7300. Does anyone know anything about the quality of this card?

Specifications:
128/512MB nVidia GeForce 6200TC
Package Type: Retail
Chipset: NVIDIA GeForce 6200TC
Interface: PCI Express x16
Video Memory: 128MB (extendable up to 512MB)
1GB of PC memory required for maximum 512MB Graphics
Memory Type: DDR2
Engine Clock: 350MHz
Memory Clock: 250MHz
Memory Interface: 32-bit
RAMDACs: 400MHz
Max. Resolution: 2048x1536
Connectors: SVGA / S-Video (HDTV) / DVI-I
Pixel Pipelines: 4
DirectX Support: 9.0
OpenGL Support: 1.5
Compatible OS: Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP
CineFX 3.0 Engine Technology
UltraShadow II Technology
Intellisample 3.0 Technology
Microsoft DirectX 9, Shader Model 3.0 support


Also found a 256/512MB nVidia GeForce 7300GS PCI-Express Graphics Card

Specifications:
256/512MB nVidia GeForce 7300GS PCI-Express
Package Type: Retail
Chipset: NVIDIA GeForce 7300GS
Interface: PCI Express x16
Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0 Shader Model 3.0
Video Memory: 256MB (extendable up to 512MB)
Up to 512MB max from use of DDR system Memory
Memory Type: DDR2
Memory Interface: 64-bit
RAMDACs: 400MHz
Max. Resolution: 2048x1536
Connectors: SVGA/S-Video/DVI-I
Pixel Pipelines: 4
Pixel Shader Model: 3.0
DirectX Support: 9.0
OpenGL Support: 2.0
Compatible OS: Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP

There is just a few dollars difference in price.

[Rnett]

Like Web said above, you need to figure out what kind of slot is in your machine. AGP or PCI-E?

[Dobber]

I have an AGP slot and a PCI slot both, but I am unsure if the PCI is PCI-E.

I've gotta look further anyhow, both of the two I listed are in the UK and the seller doesn't ship to the US.

[Webmaster]

if you have AGP than it should be PCI slots not PCIe

[Dobber]

Thanks, I know not to get a PCI-Express card now!
--
Well the search has come to an end! I was unable to find the 6800GT in low profile AGP. The best I could find is 3DForce6200-256 built with the nVidia 6200 chipset, that will have to do I guess. Low profile is so hard to find in anything decent.

[Webmaster]

detailed info can you provide this little tool:
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

[Rnett]

You could always build your own computer, maybe not now but the next one.

[Dobber]

I built the one I've been using for the past couple of years! The last one I bought was 9 years ago, within 3 years it was rebuilt to the point the only thing left of the original was the case, the modem and the floppy drive. Over the next 3 years parts were replaced as they played out. Then 2-3 years ago the motherboard fried and I bought a new case, 500 MB pc2100 ram and a motherboard with CPU. I transferred all my other components from the other PC to the current one, and that is what I have been using.
The one I just got, my son-in-law brought to me from a bulk lot his company pulled from a bank. Couldn't beat the price, but it is limited as to what will fit in it.

[Richard]

Well you could get this one and never worry again of buying a new video card for next century:cool:
http://www.gwn.com/news/story.php/id/10042/

[Rnett]

Apparently these hareware companies have more money than they know what do with.:holy:

[Dobber]

Well you could get this one and never worry again of buying a new video card for next century:cool:
http://www.gwn.com/news/story.php/id/10042/


WOW! Just WOW!

[the knightly sword]

Well you could get this one and never worry again of buying a new video card for next century:cool:
http://www.gwn.com/news/story.php/id/10042/


:eek: Im speechless..... 80 billions of mega pixels...... atleast now i know what god uses when he goes online:lol: :lol: . I dont think that graphic card is f.or normal folks, more like an advanced tool for professional game developers

[Rnett]

Unless you have 18 grand in spare change...:eek:

[Ravell]

for us normal folks 200-350 golds will do it for a decent gaming.
18000? wow.... gaga² :gaga: