Dell dimension E520:can i fit graphics card??

titewad_2

Our son has the above pc for homework and internet and some games.Most of the games are older ones that work ok with the onboard graphics.He is interested in some others though that require far better graphic capabilities.Can I fit a graphics card in this system does anyone know.It appears to have spare slots on the motherboard but I remember either reading or hearing somewhere that Dell do something to their BIOS so other components can't be installed.Can anyone clarify this for me please.

GoofyGAT

Seems it'll be OK to fit a reasonably good single-slot PCI-E graphics card* without much extra expense (no new PSU needed) or hassle. If you don't have a spare molex power connector, then a Y-splitter cable (£1-2) should do. The latest graphics card drivers would need to be installed when upgrading & all should be OK.

Tell us the games he plays/thinking of playing, the PC's CPU & your budget please. We can then suggest a few that'll be suitable. G

*See this related thread at the Dell forums.

Nesima

Buy a Sapphire x1650xt for about £65 delivered from eBuyer, I have fitted this card to the E520 and I play Oblivion on high settings on a 22" monitor. It simply plugs in the PCIe slot and needs no extra connections drawing all its required power from the motherboard.