Graphics Card Dell XPS 420

ajmull

Graphics card on my 4 year old Dell XPS 420 is kaput, so I need to replace it.
Dell XPS 420, 2.4 Ghz, 640 Gb HD (2X320 Raid 0), 4 Gb mem.

I would appreciate any suggestions for a decent gaming card (Call of Duty etc.) to replace it.

Eboggles

Whats your PSU wattage, monitor resolution and budget?

butts

If it's a quad core Q6600 then it should come with a 350 watt PSU that has a PCI-E 6 pin connector (at least thats what Dell used in the Dimensions). I got a cheap B grade Asus HD 6770 from Maplins and like other Dell users with this PSU have had no problem with a 6770 card. If you can afford the new 7770 card it uses less power than the older version - it doesn't even have a PCI-E connector

Also, you might be interested in over-clocking the Q6600 from 2.4 to 3.0 Ghz using the electrical tape trick. I did this on mine and got an extra 4 or 5 fps in Skyrim at 1440x900 resolution with details set to high. See this link for more info:

http://alumar.hubpages.com/hub/Get-more-from-your-Quad-Core-Q6600

Edit: Just thought I should mention that the Asus card is very long and could be a problem for some cases.

ajmull

Eboggles wrote: »

Whats your PSU wattage, monitor resolution and budget?

I'm away from home so can't get the wattage of the PSU yet. Monitor resolution - 1680X1050. Budget max €200.

SpannerMonkey

I have the same PC XPS 420 Depends what you want if you just want a basic card u could get one for 50 squid , if you want a great card get the HD 6870 .
I got a Sapphire HD6870 Vapor-X transformed my pc and you can get them for around 130 now and they are prob the best you can get to suit your PSU
Also consider upgrading your RAM to 4 GB for 40 quid it allows me to play battlefield 3 on high or Ultra setting

Heres a base model 6870
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/11391849/art/amd/radeon-hd-6870-1-gb-gddr5.html

I personally prefer Sapphire here's one
http://www2.hardwareversand.de/1024+MB/46795/Sapphire+HD6870+1G+GDDR5+PCI-E+DL-DVI-I+SL-DVI-D+++HDMI+++DP.article

ajmull

Eboggles wrote: »

Whats your PSU wattage, monitor resolution and budget?

Wattage of PSU - 425w

Eboggles

get a 6870.

SpannerMonkey

ajmull wrote: »

Eboggles wrote: »

Whats your PSU wattage, monitor resolution and budget?

Wattage of PSU - 425w

Are u sure it's 425 ??
xps 420 should only have 375w

ajmull

SpannerMonkey wrote: »

Are u sure it's 425 ??
xps 420 should only have 375w

Its 425 alright. Some XPSs have 425, why I don't know but Google confirmed this and I physically checked it. Did you have to change your PSU to fit the larger card?