Willson Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I have a Dell Dimension 3100 which only has PCI (not express) and "X1" PCI-E sockets. I would like to be able to run the Windows 7 Aero interface if possible. And I need a dvi/hdmi output. Looking to spend less than £75. Does anyone have any advice or recommendations? TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike3.0 Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Just go for a 9500gt, Good card and only costs about £40. Even plays some games like Call of Duty MOD really well too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted October 31, 2009 Author Share Posted October 31, 2009 Sounds good. Do I need to worry about the PSU? I won't be playing any games on it, if that makes a difference. It will be used for playing films (some HD) and surfing the net. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay_vr6 Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 from a quick google search here is a bit fo a review > upgrading simply isn't an option when it comes to the system's Intel-integrated graphics. Scoring a woeful 4.5 frames a second in our Doom 3 test, the graphics just can't cope with the latest games - and because the proprietary Dell motherboard has no AGP or PCI-Express 16x slot for a graphics card, you can't replace the graphics card with anything better. For a system designed for home entertainment, this is a serious flaw. In fact, limited upgrade potential is an issue throughout this system. Only one PCI-Express slot is free for internal add-in cards, while outside, only four USB 2 ports are provided to plug in external devices and there's no FireWire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay_vr6 Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 Novatech GeForce 8400GS 512MB DDR2 HDMI/DVI PCI adaptor is available for £44 from Novatech.co.uk . to be honest probably not worth the outlay for runnign windows 7 especially with aero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted October 31, 2009 Author Share Posted October 31, 2009 Thanks, yeah I saw that. I am thinking I should be ok with a PCI (non express) card though. edit - that was a reply to your first post! (Jay) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted October 31, 2009 Author Share Posted October 31, 2009 Novatech GeForce 8400GS 512MB DDR2 HDMI/DVI PCI adaptor is available for £44 from Novatech.co.uk . to be honest probably not worth the outlay for runnign windows 7 especially with aero. Why do you say its not worth it? I have windows 7 on another computer and its pretty damned sexy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay_vr6 Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 oh windows 7 is very sexy, I 've run it through all the beta testing, I'm just not sure a pci card will have the bandwidth to run the aero system especially if you only have a small amount of system memory. do you at least have 1gig of memory ? If you do go and buy a pci card I'd be very interested in how it all runs oh and maybe best to check in the bios that the onboard graphics can be turned off or supplemented by a pci card. Dell sometimes dumb down the bios so people can't mess things up or add stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay_vr6 Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 by jove this is getting interesting, you can actually buy a pcie x1 slot graphics cards. ati do the x1300, just trying to find some reviews and stats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted October 31, 2009 Author Share Posted October 31, 2009 The machine currently has 1 gig of RAM but I was planning on adding another gig. If I do go for it (likely at the moment) I will update the thread with results. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share Posted November 3, 2009 Ok I got the Geforce 8400 GS and it does run Aero. But not as well as I had hoped. ie, its a bit jerky at times. it only scores 2.1 on the "windows experience" thing for desktop graphics. I am still happy with it though, as it allows me to play 1080p films now. The jerkiness is most evident in the media center in Windows 7 - when scrolling through the movie selection. About 25% of the time, it scrolls perfectly smooth though. Do you think upgrading from 1 GB to 2 GB would help? Thanks for your advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Ok I got the Geforce 8400 GS and it does run Aero. But not as well as I had hoped. ie, its a bit jerky at times. it only scores 2.1 on the "windows experience" thing for desktop graphics. My laptop with on-board Intel 865 graphics scores more than that, you got the correct drivers loaded Make sure you download the latest drivers from Nvidia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike3.0 Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Just get a 9500gt cost pence and runs really well. Standard PSU is fine Trust me I work for Microsoft : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Contact DamanC on here, he could maybe provide you with the card which your after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Just get a 9500gt cost pence and runs really well. Standard PSU is fine Trust me I work for Microsoft : ) On that basis i will never trust you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 I don't think the 9500gt is available in PCI non express. At least I couldn't find it. I installed the driver from the CD that came with it and have access to the NVidia control panel etc. The "Gaming graphics" scores 4.5 or something but I don't use it for games. I am thinking of just buying a newer PC with a PCI express socket. I suppose I could just replace the motherboard. I have never built a PC before though. BTW, my other desktop machine scores a 3.2 for desktop graphics using its integrated graphics. edit - I will certainly get the latest driver off the web tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I'm thinking a few people may have quickly scanned your plight and not taken note that you only have PCI bud, and not PCI-e. It's certainly a bit of a pickle you are in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 lol It is a pretty crappy PC. Still, it plays 1080p video so I might just live with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Your processor will probably be dealing with most of that. If it does what you need it to do then thats good enough IMO. For the cost of Ram i would stick in a matched 2gb pair if i was you. The computer probably won't have the fastest ram your PC can handle so a totally new set might be in order to speed things up a little bit. It's so cheap nowadays that it's always worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 Okidoki, cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike3.0 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Mu ha ha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike3.0 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Its just like a big lego set, but better because you can view porn once finished : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legendswraith Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I have several graphics cards kicking around ones definately a radeon xt850x and possibly a couple of nvidia ones if they can suit your needs you are welcome to one of them as i'm sick of them gathering dust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 That's very kind, but to be honest I am fairly sure my problem is a limit of the PCI (non express!) interface. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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