Video card help

[Eric's Blue]

I have dell XPS 720, I ve had it for a couple of years. It came with Dual NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS (now out of production). One burnt out, one has worked for what I need it for. I am wondering if I can buy any other newer NVIDIA card to put in that other slot and have them be compatiable?

I guess the other thing I am wondering is the computer now too outdated for newer video cards? Like putting a 1000 dollar car alarm on a 500 dollar car?

Dell XPS (Quad Core- 6600) 2.4 GH 2MB Ram

[Hemlawk]

I could be wrong but I believe you can get another 8600. I think you have to stick to 8600 but it can be another brand.

But in all honesty, you could probably get a single card that's faster than both those cards combined. I would get a used 280gtx or something...

[irocnroll]

The cards are most likely compatable with your system but you need to give us a little more detail. What is your current Processor and amount of ram? Also do you know your motherboard model?

[v6sonoma]

Originally Posted by Hemlawk

I could be wrong but I believe you can get another 8600. I think you have to stick to 8600 but it can be another brand.

But in all honesty, you could probably get a single card that's faster than both those cards combined. I would get a used 280gtx or something...

I would check out some of the newer stuff. Things have come a long way especially with Physx and Cuda.

[POWERFREAK]

look on ebay for a replacement 8600.

[Entaille]

crossfire and sli are very particular about the cards you pair together. if you got a replacement, for the best chance at success, it should be exact make and model.

there is no need to run two video cards these days. one powerful card will run anything you throw at it.

give me an idea of what your budget is, and what kind of resolution / games you will be playing, and I'll throw you the most ideal card for the scenario.

I'd have to look up what power supply is in that particular dell as well, to ensure you can get a modern video card powered up

[nardox]

I'm not familiar with the XPS 720's power supply unit, but if it have some PCI-E power cords, I'd suggest that you get a GTX 460. They are around $170-200 now(200 for 1GB model), and it will destroy 8600GTS SLI.

[Eric's Blue]

Originally Posted by nardox

I'm not familiar with the XPS 720's power supply unit, but if it have some PCI-E power cords, I'd suggest that you get a GTX 460. They are around $170-200 now(200 for 1GB model), and it will destroy 8600GTS SLI.

Power Supply: 1KW (Red system) or 750W (Black system) - SLI, ATX2.0, EPS12V, SSI industry compatibility
Externally available: 2 Optical (5.25), 1 9-in-1 Media Card reader (2 x 5.25) & 1 Floppy (3.5)
Internally available: 4 x 3.5 (HDD)
Memory DIMM slots: 4 available
(H x W x D): 22.5” x 8.6” x 24.25” (with stand); 21.86” x 8.6” x 24.25” (without stand)
7-slot BTX motherboard (12.6" x 10.5")

[Eric's Blue]

I can go up to 300 bucks for a card.

I paid about 2500 bucks for the system new, been 2+ years?

[Brokinarrow]

Yeah, any video card you buy will be compatible with the PC (so long as it's a desktop video card obviously), you just have to watch the power needs for them, especially when you're running 2 of them. OOooorrr you could just get one really good card. Your choice

[Entaille]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...deon,2761.html

can't go wrong with the 'best video cards for the money' articles on Tom's.

I'd sell the single 8600 you have, and pick up a 470 GTX for just under 300$. You should be able to recoup ~40-50$ for the 8600 you have.

[nardox]

Originally Posted by Eric's Blue

Power Supply: 1KW (Red system) or 750W (Black system) - SLI, ATX2.0, EPS12V, SSI industry compatibility
Externally available: 2 Optical (5.25), 1 9-in-1 Media Card reader (2 x 5.25) & 1 Floppy (3.5)
Internally available: 4 x 3.5 (HDD)
Memory DIMM slots: 4 available
(H x W x D): 22.5” x 8.6” x 24.25” (with stand); 21.86” x 8.6” x 24.25” (without stand)
7-slot BTX motherboard (12.6" x 10.5")

Even 750W is more than enough to handle two or even three modern graphic cards.

Now, here's a few thing I need to know before making an educated suggestion
1. Do you use the computer for things like rendering or just gaming?
2. What's the resolution of your monitor?
3. What games do you play most often?
4. Does it have to be an nVidia card or ATI is fine as well?

[jelly2m8]

Originally Posted by Entaille

there is no need to run two video cards these days. one powerful card will run anything you throw at it.

What Entaille said ^^

NCIX.com has the new Radeon 6850 on for ~190.00 - 220.00

A single one of those cards will outperform dual 8600's easily.

[nardox]

Originally Posted by jelly2m8

What Entaille said ^^

NCIX.com has the new Radeon 6850 on for ~190.00 - 220.00

A single one of those cards will outperform dual 8600's easily.

two cards may provide better performance for the money depends on what kind of performance the OP is looking for

but if he just want something that's better than 8600GTS SLI then that's really easy

btw I just bought two Asus 6850s for Crossfire, they should perform close to a 5970