This Sucks

[Kris94]

So then what should I do then?

 

[Kris94]

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-8400-gs

Found this.

 

[Kris94]

So no one else can help me?

 

[RRSignal]

Well, what does "found this" mean?

That's an ancient card. Also, the power supply in your computer is so weak that adding any kind of add-in card is risky. However, if you do decide to take the risk add in a video card, go with an nVidia GT210 or an ATI HD6350.

 

[Kris94]

Then how do you fix the power supply?

 

[jjanmarine3]

I have a solution if you have a son Kris.
My son is a game freak and every time he upgrades, I get his old stuff into my six year old PC , installed free, I am still running windows XP and TS12 is doing ok although the slider is on the lowish side but I can live with that when I look at the prices of stuff..I he takes too long to upgrade I just tell him his PC looks a bit slow.

 

[Kris94]

CPU Speed : ~2.61 GHZ : Passed
CPU supports SSE instructions : Passed
System Memory : 1981 MB : Passed
Hard Drive Space: 93.48 GB Free : Passed
OpenGL : Version 2.1 : Passed
DirectX : Version 10.0 or later : Passed
Desktop Mode : 32 bit colors : Passed
Card Type : GeForce 6150SE nForce 430/PCI/SSE2/3DNOW! : Passed
Video Driver's Age : 23 months old -Update : Warning
AGP Memory : 735MB Free : Passed
Total Video Mem : 793MB : Passed
Stencil Buffer : 8 Bits : Passed
Multi-Texturing : 8 Textures : Passed
Texture Compression DXT : Passed
Texture Combiners : Passed
Vertex Shaders : Version 3.0 : Passed
Pixel Shaders : Version 3.0 : Passed
Bump Mapping : Passed
Spherical Environment Mapping : Passed
Cubic Environment Mapping : Passed
Vertex Buffers : Passed
NVIDIA driver compatibility : Passed
Monitor: No compatability problems detected : Passed

My TS12 Diagnostics.

 

[Kris94]

And I'm 18.

 

[RRSignal]

Then how do you fix the power supply?

You probably can't, unless you're willing to either modify the case or have the power supply hanging out of your computer. Dell usually uses what are called Small Form Factor supplies. These are much smaller than conventional, ATX supplies, and AFAIK are available in a maximum power output of 300 watts. (I do know some very questionable places that supposedly sell higher-rated ones, but I don't trust them.) If yours is a 300W, you might even be able to put a GT430 card in your computer, but that's about it.

 

[Kris94]

Well I'll be looking into that if need be. I should take this to best buy and see what they say.

 

[JCitron]

You probably can't, unless you're willing to either modify the case or have the power supply hanging out of your computer. Dell usually uses what are called Small Form Factor supplies. These are much smaller than conventional, ATX supplies, and AFAIK are available in a maximum power output of 300 watts. (I do know some very questionable places that supposedly sell higher-rated ones, but I don't trust them.) If yours is a 300W, you might even be able to put a GT430 card in your computer, but that's about it.

Any of the new NVidia or AMD cards need at least a 550W Power Supply at the minimum. You always want to spec out higher than that to allow for breathing room.

See my link on laptop deals if you're still interested.

 

[Kris94]

How do you check?

 

[JCitron]

How do you check?

Open up your computer case, and look for the power supply. They're big boxy things with lots of wires coming out. Look at the label and it should give you the specifications. 300W, 550W, etc., with a bunch of numbers, etc., such as part numbers,serial numbers and even a manufacturer.

For your specific video card you are interested in, check the specifications for the card and compare them to what you have for a power supply. They will say so online and even in the store on the box usually. If anything don't ask the geek-for-hire, their job is to sell you something, and the nerd will sell you the part anyway even if it won't work.

So... You look at your power supply and it says it's a 550W model.
You go to the store and you see your favorite video card which can run on a 550W you're in pretty good shape, although like anything else you might want something that has more wattage because of the load on it.

The scenario could be the other way too. You may have to replace the power supply with a better unit to support your favorite video card. In this case, you may need to contact Dell regarding a new one, or find one that will fit your case.

John

 

[Kris94]

I don't know if it's the right one or not but it says 1.7W

 

[William0d0]

1.7W sounds like it might be the -12V rail, which is not the total output Wattage.

 

[Kris94]

Well I don't know how to open the case.

 

[RRSignal]

According to Dell's site it's 300W, which means you really won't be able to run anything over a GT430, hence why I made that recommendation. Dell uses a lot of 250W supplies, which means you couldn't even run that, hence my original recommendation. Finally, if you can't open the case, changing out the power supply is a moot point since you have to be able to do that whatever card you get. FYI, according to what I read, you do have a PCIex16 slot on your motherboard, which means you at least can FIT a decent video card; some of the name-brands like HP don't even give you that.

Type "inspiron 531" into Google and you'll get Dell's site. Look there how to open the case, any system specs, and so on.

 

[Kris94]

It's a 300W power supply.

 

[kamran]

its even hard to run 9600gt on this power supply

 

[Kris94]

How about a nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 192 bit w/1.5GB GDDR5[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
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