pci-e graphix for dell 745

smos585

I am not a gamer, and know very little about what adapters to use.

A friend has asked what graphix card can be used with a Dell 745 - this has the following expansion slots:

PCI Express 1.0a: slot 1, PCI Express x1 5 Gbps, and slot 2, PCI Express x 16:80Gbps


Low profile obviously, I know there is PCI-e 1.1 and 2, but don't know if the latest cards are backwards compatible - also as the PSU is non-standard there is no option for a separate power supply.

Thanks in advance for yr advice.

NiftyDigits

This or this will do.

But forget about gaming.

gonzo127

the amd 6670 can be got in a low profile format and doesnt require a external power supply as runs totally from the PCI-E power, should set you back about £70 for the GDDR5 version (much better than the DDR3 version) and will play most current settings on either low details settings or at lower resolutions

the amd 7750 is also one to consider as you can get a low profile one as well, and also does not need a external power supply, its a bit meatier so can cope better with games, but also costs more look at between £90-100

(you can probably pick them up cheaper but i just checked the usualy suspects of ebuyer, overclockers, scan)

prowla

I run a Radeon HD 3400 series card in a Dell 755 (which is the same as a 745 but with 4 memory slots).

I got it at a computer fair for something like £15.

I've got another 755 with a different card in, but I'm not sure what that one is.

Some of the compatible cards come with a multi-pin socket that gives dual monitor capability and requires a splitter cable to work, so be sure you check that out because without one you are scuppered.

prowla

If your friend is concerned about performance, the CPUs can be upgrade in these Dell boxes, and memory goes up to 2 GB per slot (some say 4 GB, but the modules are more expensive that a whole system). I've also got an SSD in mine, which speeds it up a lot.

smos585

NiftyDigits wrote: »

This or this will do.

But forget about gaming.

The kid has learning difficulties so won't be doing the leading edge stuff, his old sempron 3000 won't or can't do anything pretty much.

Thnak you for your suggestions will look into them.

smos585

gonzo127 wrote: »

the amd 6670 can be got in a low profile format and doesnt require a external power supply as runs totally from the PCI-E power, should set you back about £70 for the GDDR5 version (much better than the DDR3 version) and will play most current settings on either low details settings or at lower resolutions

the amd 7750 is also one to consider as you can get a low profile one as well, and also does not need a external power supply, its a bit meatier so can cope better with games, but also costs more look at between £90-100

(you can probably pick them up cheaper but i just checked the usualy suspects of ebuyer, overclockers, scan)

Just took a look at the amd 7750 & 6670 unfortunately they both require a 400w psu and the dell 745 has a 280w non standard (which means expensive) psu.

But thanks for looking and making some suggestions - a little wiser now!

smos585

prowla wrote: »

I run a Radeon HD 3400 series card in a Dell 755 (which is the same as a 745 but with 4 memory slots).

I got it at a computer fair for something like £15.

I've got another 755 with a different card in, but I'm not sure what that one is.

Some of the compatible cards come with a multi-pin socket that gives dual monitor capability and requires a splitter cable to work, so be sure you check that out because without one you are scuppered.

The 745 has an Intel Dualcore E6300 cpu and 2gb RAM using 2 of 4 sockets; well spec'ed in its day. So I thought it might do the job - do you know what power the hd3400 draws? I am assuming that pci-e 2 or 3 will work in the 1a slot?

Thank you for yr suggestions........

NiftyDigits

smos585 wrote: »

The 745 has an Intel Dualcore E6300 cpu and 2gb RAM using 2 of 4 sockets; well spec'ed in its day. So I thought it might do the job - do you know what power the hd3400 draws? I am assuming that pci-e 2 or 3 will work in the 1a slot?

Thank you for yr suggestions........

You can look here for comparative card ratings.

smos585

NiftyDigits wrote: »

You can look here for comparative card ratings.

Passmark is a good reference point. I have done some calculations using a psu calulator to work out what power draw the current psu could take, and I guess something around 35w would do. So what would be the best low profile graphix could I fit here with these limitations?

I know I can recalculate, and we know from Prowla's experience the HD3400 drawing 35W does work but there isn't much headroom.

Sorry I am a bit of a dunce when it comes to groahics cards.

prowla

I don't know the draw of the GPU, but I have a graphics card, a HDD and an SSD in my 755, and it is completely stable.

(I did try 2x HDDs, but it wasn't happy.)

CPU-wise it will take Core2Duos and even quads (google to check the limits - I have a Q6600 in a couple of 755s).