Video Card??

[MnWilly]

Hey guys. I would like to get a video card and need some help picking one out. I have a Dell Insprion 530. Currently I am using the "onboard" graphics and it's time for an upgrade.

Comp Stats:
Intel core2 duo E4700 (2.6ghz)
4 Gigs Ram
I have read that it only has a 300watt PS

What I would like:
Don't need the newest and greatest
QUIET!!
Capable of playing the newest games with reasonable FPS
Under $75
Stable

Thanks in advance.

MIKE

[Klaus]

I checked out Dell 530 wiki and it appears to have enough space for any PCIe card. However, most of the newer cards take up two slots - one is for the card and one is for a large fan attached to a heat sink. Good news is the fans are usually quiet and spin way down except when the vcard get's hot.

I would recommend a Sapphire Radeon HD 5750 Video Card.... I know it's $120 but you get DirectX 11 which most new games support.
http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/14-102-859-Z01?$S180W$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102859&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Video+Cards-_-Sapphire+Tech-_-14102859

Or if you want to stick to your $75 budget...XFX Radeon HD 4670 Video Card

http://i.pgcdn.com/pi/74/44/59/744459661_125.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002O0KVJO/ref=asc_df_B002O0KVJO1070199?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-469-01-20&linkCode=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B002O0KVJO

As you will notice from the pictures the 4670 only takes up one slot but it's probably louder due to the small high RPM fan. The 5750 has the larger 80mm fan that will be quieter but does take up two slots. The reason I recommend ATI at the current time is in this generation of graphics cards you get more performance for your money with ATI. I have always run Nvidia cards until my current ATI 5770 and will probably go back to Nvidia with my next card.

[Klaus]

A couple of good articles from Tom's Hardware:

Best Card for under $90
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2569-2.html

Best Card for $95 to $180.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2569-3.html

[MnWilly]

Thanks a bunch Scott! Ordered the xfx 4670. Came to 74 with s/h from amazon.

[Sylvester]

I used to have a 530 and I had an 8500 GT in it. Ran just fine, but tended to get loud when the fan "spooled" up. Otherwise machine ran perfectly fine with it.

[Klaus]

Weird, could have swore I already posted this..

Mike when you get your card installed let me know and I will give you my Steam login so you can try Modern Warfare 2 single player and Portal if you don't own it.

[MnWilly]

Yes Scott, you did???