help me find a good video card for my dell vostro 220

[cheapie]

i just bought left 4 dead and it's lagging pretty bad when there's lots of zombies attacking me. i knew this would happen so i'm not upset.

what card should i/can i get? i don't need the top of the line card but don't want to have to upgrade again anytime soon. are they easy to install myself?

in case it matters, here's the specs on the machine...

224-0778 Vostro 220 Mini-Tower
311-9303 Core 2 Duo E8400/3.0GHz 6M,1333FSB,Vostro
311-9305 2GB Non-ECC 800MHz DDR2,2X1GB,Vostro
330-1568 Dell USB,ENG,Black,Vostro
320-6391 20 inch 2009W UltraSharp Flat Panel Black Vostro
320-7113 Integrated Video GMA X4500HD Dell Vostro
341-7601 250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive 7200RPM, 8M Cache
420-9192 Windows Vista Home Basic with SPack 1 32-bit
330-0077 DELL OPTICAL USB MOUSE VOSTRO
430-3246 Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet
313-5469 No Modem Requested
313-7024 16X DVD+/-RW Drive 8X DVD+/-RWw
313-7020 Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio,Vostro
430-3079 IEEE 1394a Adapter

[cheapie]

what the....? i thought i posted this in hardware. sorry.

how 'bout this card? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Video+Cards-_-EVGA-_-14130339

[johnnymk]

Is lagging a function of the monitor or the video card?

[irwin]

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/vos220/en/sm/work.htm#wp1206597

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/vos220/en/sm/stonec15.jpg

Judging from the diagram, I don't think you can fit a dual-slot video card in there. You also have to mind the length of the card when picking one out.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=radeon+4350&x=0&y=0

Any of the above will fit. :heh:

[cheapie]

why are you laughing? because all of the choices suck?

[bachviet]

The video card probably fits but I don't think the stock power supply has enough juice to power the GeForce 9800GTX.

You still have the PCI slots and PCI-e 1x slot open so the dual-slot video card can fit in there.

[cheapie]

crap. so i'd need to buy a better power supply if that's the case?

[mechmike0034]

I just ordered the $400 Dell Vostro 220 Mini Tower from this week's deals so am watching this thread with interest.

I'm looking for suggestions on a "bang-for-the-buck" vid card for gaming. It doesn't need to be the biggest, baddest, or fastest.

[cheapie]

i didn't get the mini tower so i think i'll have a decent amount of room. we'll see.

[kame]

Here is a good place to determine what your PSU can handle.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-radeon-power,2122-6.html

[Devhux]

Here is a good place to determine what your PSU can handle.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-radeon-power,2122-6.html

I prefer this one:
http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/index.jsp

Just plug in your system specs and it will give you a recommended PSU size. I've found this to be quite accurate, despite the fact it's done by a power supply manufacturer.

[cheapie]

ok. got the card and it fits it w/o any problems. i do have two issues though. first, i don't have any power supply openings to use for it. can i just get a second small power supply and install it or do i have to get a replacement power supply that has more outlets?

second, when i install the card, i can't get the PC to boot. i think the problem is that i have to disable the integrated video card in the bios. i just haven't figured out how to do that yet.

btw, that's mod for moving this thread into the correct forum! :wavey:

[nate el bueno]

You could get a cheap splitter for it if you've determined you power supply will handle it. What's your Steam account name? We should get a L4D G|A game going some time!

[mechmike0034]

i didn't get the mini tower...

Yes, you did...


in case it matters, here's the specs on the machine...

224-0778 Vostro 220 Mini-Tower

The Dell Support site should tell you how to disable the onboard video.

Mine'll be here tomorrow (it is actually for my son). It is on the FedEx truck for delivery.