What should I look for when upgrading video card

[DarthDooku]

I have a Dell Slim Sudio. Quad Core 2.33 Ghz and 4Gb RAM. ATI Radeon w/ 2Gb, it is the factory installed. I can only play on the lowest graphic settings. What do I need to be able to put the graphics up higher. And it has to fit the Slim desktop.

 

[tokala]

A HD 7750 low profile (~$100) is pretty much the only card that would make sense, good enough for max settings.
Make sure to avoid the DDR3 version.

 

[DarthDooku]

I was told on another forum to get a power supply. Is that necassary? How does that help? Does that take strain off the CPU.

 

[tokala]

Another = more powerful power supply.

This would be necessary if your new video card would push the systems power consumption beyond what your old PSU can deliver.

But your 250W PSU will be more than enough for the 7750 I had recommended.


Taking strain off the CPU?
No, rather the other way around, as the CPU won't be limited by the slow GPU any more.

 

[Lites]

I would make sure that you have enough physical room in the case for any graphics card. My friend had a dell which physically couldn't accept a different graphics card because of the modular way Dell puts them together and packs it all very awkwardly!