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Dell Vostro 200 - Graphics card for HD playback?

  • 13-06-2008 08:35PM
    #1
    gavdbyrne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 39 ✭


    Hi all,

    I've recently bought a dell vostro [E2200 (2.20GHz, 800MHz, 1MB cache)]
    to use for high definition video playback connected to my 1080p tv, also general media center usage, and general web surfing. Soooo, I need to purchase a suitable graphics card!! Not too worried about gaming as I would use my PS3 for that, but I guess would be useful to know it could handle occasional play.

    This card has audio and video output over HDMI which sounds good to me and seems to be decently spec'd (http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=346539) and is also passively cooled.

    However most people are recommending the GeForce 8800GS (http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=345164). There is 7.1 audio output on the mobo so should still work, just like the idea of both the audio/video output over HDMI for when I upgrade my amp to one that can handle this which is why I am leaning towards the first card.

    Any opinions?

    Also, as far as I know the PSU is only 300W rated, would this be sufficient to power either of these cards? Is it true all that would be needed is an adaptor ( SATA-2-Molex Adapter ) and that the PSU should work fine, or do I need to upgrade to 400/450?

    Thanks in advance!


Comments

  • #2
    Sqaull20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,044 ✭✭✭Sqaull20


    Dell's power supply is normally underrated, to read the mean average. Reason for this is that Dell wants to be on the conservative side for those that may over do things with their systems. The peak is much higher, and a Dell system can handle many cards that the card manufactures suggest a higher required power supply.

    It can take an even more powerful card than the 8800GS no problem.

    You will need this adaptor to connect to one of the free sata cables..

    http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=164&products_id=20580

    I would get the 8800gs, brillant gaming card

    http://www.pix.sparky-s.ie/viewer.php?file=xjxrg9hgtonj4at9un93.png


  • #3
    gavdbyrne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 39 ✭gavdbyrne


    Thanks, that's good to hear!! Seems like the 8800GS is the one to go for, everyone I've asked has recommended it.


  • #4
    dmm1000
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 165 ✭✭dmm1000


    I am not sure if this is the case - I would very reluctant to give the all clear with a 300W power supply - especially for power hungry graphics cards - underrated ? - any evidence of this ?

    Sqaull20 wrote: »
    Dell's power supply is normally underrated, to read the mean average. Reason for this is that Dell wants to be on the conservative side for those that may over do things with their systems. The peak is much higher, and a Dell system can handle many cards that the card manufactures suggest a higher required power supply.

    It can take an even more powerful card than the 8800GS no problem.

    You will need this adaptor to connect to one of the free sata cables..

    http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=164&products_id=20580

    I would get the 8800gs, brillant gaming card

    http://www.pix.sparky-s.ie/viewer.php?file=xjxrg9hgtonj4at9un93.png


  • #5
    mediacentre.ie
    Closed Accounts Posts: 114 ✭✭mediacentre.ie


    You might be ok with a 300w power supply. The E2200 is a very efficient processor. This is a great site for calculating what kind of power you expect your system to draw.

    http://www.extreme.outervision.com/powercalc.jsp

    I have a real time power display on my 700W PSU. I have a Q6600 Quad core @3.2GHZ, 680i, 4GB RAM and an 8800GTS 640mb.

    All overclocked and I have never seem my PSU display go near the 300w mark.

    Right now it is idle at 150w and fully loaded it would go to about 250w. Yes I'm sure there are higher peaks that it doesn't display but I was more than a little surprised when I ditched my old 400w PSU to realise that my new one doesn't even use anywhere neer this number or spin up the 120mm fan to cool it.

    I would say you will be ok with the 300w as long as it can provide a +12v rail and a good 20+ amps.

    The 8800GS will only draw around 27W-59W extra from your system.


  • #6
    Myxomatosis
    Closed Accounts Posts: 429 ✭✭Myxomatosis


    I'd go with the ATI card, not specifically that one though. You can get fanless ones for €30-€40 mark.
    http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=345333

    According to the specs, like all HD3450's you can have the one cable audio / video solution to the TV.

    You may have to also buy a DVI - HDMI adapter for €9 because I'm not sure if it's included in the box. You could email Komplett and ask them to make sure. One of the ones closer to €40 should include the adapter (not the club3D one though)


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  • #7
    Rsaeire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,888 ✭✭✭Rsaeire


    I'd recommend the Sapphire 3650 512 MB GDDR3 at €65 or the passivley cooled PowerColor 3650 512 MB GDDR2 at €61 on Komplett.

    The only thing about the one cable solution is that it won't be possible with any of the 3650 cards unless they have a HDMI connection on the card itself. As DVI cannot carry audio, using a DVI => HDMI cable will only allow the video to be passed. You'll still need to use a seperate connection for your audio out e.g. S/PDIF.


  • #8
    ROS123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 428 ✭✭ROS123


    Seeing as how many of these were bought from bargain alerts, some for HTPC some as gaming machines. Could one of the guys one here list what would need to be added to the basic spec to make it into a viable HTPC, h/w and s/w and where one would source same please. This would be very helpful to me and I would think maybe some other peopel as well.

    TIA...


  • #9
    Rsaeire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,888 ✭✭✭Rsaeire


    Hardware

    The graphics cards I mentioned above will suffice for decoding the HD formats either directly from a HDD or from a HD-DVD/Blu-ray drive.

    2GB of ram, depending on your usage, from any reputable supplier such as Komplett, Elara, Overclockers.co.uk etc.

    Software

    PowerDVD to be used with playing HD-DVD and Blu-ray content. You will need to buy this software, if you can't find it for free, and if looking for HD-DVD playback please note, the latest version only supports Blu-ray.

    Media Player Classic, which can found from many sites if you Google it, which takes care of playback for a host of formats.

    For H.264 HD files I would recommend the CoreAVC codec, which can be used with Media Player Classic, as this is the best software decoder at present for this format. Note, you will also need to buy this software, that is, if you can't find it for free.


    The above is all you should need to go with your new Dell Vostro 200, as I bought one myself and the above is what I will be using, but if I have left something out I am sure someone will add anything I missed or alternatives in due course.


  • #10
    slave1
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 18,873 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    linky linky

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  • #11
    Do-more
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,748 ✭✭✭Do-more


    I have the Vostro 200 with the basic 2.0Ghz CPU is this chip sufficient to run a Blu-ray drive?

    Cheers

    D-M

    invest4deepvalue.com



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  • #12
    Rsaeire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,888 ✭✭✭Rsaeire


    Do-more wrote: »
    I have the Vostro 200 with the basic 2.0Ghz CPU is this chip sufficient to run a Blu-ray drive?

    Cheers

    D-M

    You would need to buy a graphics card that supports the decoding of HD content so that it does all the work instead of the CPU. The CPU itself will decode HD content, such as HD-DVD and Blu-ray, but it's a struggle as it will practically max out the CPU to do this and you will notice a lot of stuttering during playback.

    I would recommend the Sapphire Radeon HD 3650 as it offers full HD deocding, unlike Nvidia cards, and I have bought the card myself and am very happy with it. You can also get one of the passively cooled 3650s if you wish too, but the card I mentioned is quiet so noise wouldn't be an issue.


  • #13
    Stoner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,934 ✭✭✭✭Stoner


    Rsaeire wrote: »
    You would need to buy a graphics card that supports the decoding of HD content so that it does all the work instead of the CPU. The CPU itself will decode HD content, such as HD-DVD and Blu-ray, but it's a struggle as it will practically max out the CPU to do this and you will notice a lot of stuttering during playback.

    I would recommend the Sapphire Radeon HD 3650 as it offers full HD deocding, unlike Nvidia cards, and I have bought the card myself and am very happy with it. You can also get one of the passively cooled 3650s if you wish too, but the card I mentioned is quiet so noise wouldn't be an issue.


    sorry for hijacking the thread, but I'm thinking of doing something similar.
    will both those cards fit in a dell vostro.

    I'd like to hook a Blu Ray drive up , and have sound and graphics over the same card, but i think it needs to be low profile, anyone one got any advice
    (I also intend to use the PCIex1 slot for a tuner so if the graphics card blocks it I'd be snookered)


  • #14
    Rsaeire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,888 ✭✭✭Rsaeire


    Stoner wrote: »
    sorry for hijacking the thread, but I'm thinking of doing something similar.
    will both those cards fit in a dell vostro.

    I'd like to hook a Blu Ray drive up , and have sound and graphics over the same card, but i think it needs to be low profile, anyone one got any advice
    (I also intend to use the PCIex1 slot for a tuner so if the graphics card blocks it I'd be snookered)

    I have this Sapphire HD 3650 which pretty much covers the PCIx1 slot in my Dell Voastro 200 MT. The card's not that wide but it practically covers the slot. You could probably get away with a low-profile TV tuner card in the slot though.

    If you want video and sound on the one card then I'd recommend the ATI HD 4xxx series cards as they can handle 7.1 HD audio over HDMI.


  • #15
    Stoner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,934 ✭✭✭✭Stoner


    thats great thanks, BTW is the set up noisy??


  • #16
    Rsaeire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,888 ✭✭✭Rsaeire


    Stoner wrote: »
    thats great thanks, BTW is the set up noisy??

    Not at all. It's the quietest PC I've ever had. A silent/fanless 3650 would be quieter but the heatsink would completely take over the adjacent PCIex1 slot, and I know you're looking to use the slot, so I would go with one of the fan versions personally.


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