Advice for getting suitable videocard for vintage computer

[TheDervish]

Hey, I have an old Dell that just celebrated its 3rd birthday, and I'd like to get a suitable videocard so I can play the next generation of FPS's. The problem is, in all likelihood, I could only fit an AGP 4x card, and my power supply is 250 W. I need something that has the following capabilities:

64 MB 3D Graphics card with Hardware Vertex andPixel Shader (VS/PS) Capability

And my Stupid GE Force 4 MX wont cut it

If anyone has a quick fix, I'd love to hear it

 

[CruddyLeper]

Uh, AGP 8X cards work just fine in 4X slots.

Just make sure it is 4X - the 2X and 1X variants are NOT compatible.

As for what card... very limited with that power supply. Maybe an ATI 9550 will suit you, maybe not.

Sure you can't upgrade the PSU?

EDIT: Posting the model number of the Dell would help a LOT. Are you sure it even has an AGP slot?

 

[GenMarshall]

If you intend to play Civ4, look in the the Civ4 Forums for recomendations of compadible video cards. To note, stay away from the ATI cards since many users are having troubles with it.

 

[TheDervish]

Uh, AGP 8X cards work just fine in 4X slots.

Just make sure it is 4X - the 2X and 1X variants are NOT compatible.

As for what card... very limited with that power supply. Maybe an ATI 9550 will suit you, maybe not.

Sure you can't upgrade the PSU?

EDIT: Posting the model number of the Dell would help a LOT. Are you sure it even has an AGP slot?

I figured if I tried upgrading the PSU I'd end up needing something else, like a new motherboard.

Dell Dimension 4550

 

[CruddyLeper]

Quite an interesting read on the 4550 - you'll need Adobe Acrobat to read it;-

http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/lmc/kemp/computer_data_report.pdf

From the horrible low res picture, looks like a standard ATX power supply. Sizeways they're pretty much the same, they differ in terms of WATTAGE (maximum power output).

Changing a PSU for a more modern, quieter, and more powerful version isn't too tricky - but you have to be careful that you hold it in place while screwing/unscrewing it.

Don't take this as the Bible, I'll do a little more research and get back to you.

EDIT: Yes, definitely has an AGP slot.

 

[CruddyLeper]

Excellent thread here - I doubt you'll need to change it even if you go for a 9800 Pro.

http://groups.google.com/group/alt....b0297704d479bf3?sa=X&oi=groupsr&start=0&num=2

However, if you DO decide to replace, do a Google on

"Dell 4550 PSU replacement".

Lots of hits in the US. Almost none in the UK.

The issue isn't the type of connector, just whether a replacement will physically fit into the case (sometimes the power switch is blocked off).

Electronically, it's a standard ATX PSU.