Dell video card options

[Barryj61]

Ok, trying to help my brother configure a Dell (hold the snickering, please). He does want to do some gaming with it, which leaves the Dimension 8400 as pretty much the only option. I'm telling him to skip the X300, leaving 2 choices for a video card; either 128MB X800 SE (a neutered OEM X800, from my understanding), or a 256 MB 6800. I don't know what Dell uses for the 6800 (plain vanilla, from what I can tell; they also offer a 6800 GTO, but that's a budget-buster). What would you choose from these options?

 

[Barryj61]

Oh, the other thing that makes me a tad suspicious about the Dell versions of these cards....both options (the 6800 and the X800SE) are exactly the same price. It would be wonderful if you could just add a standard video card; but my understanding is that NO current Dell systems have an AGP slot. And he's quite a distance from me. so building him one is out. (plus, this whole thing started with him getting a credit line from Dell......grrr)

 

[LtPage1]

my advice would be to get the x300 and see if it works for the games he wants to play. if it doesnt, upgrade to a 6600gt PCIe or something.

"wants to do some gaming" might mean counter strike/warcraft 3.

 

[imported_whatever]

although no current dell systems have an agp slot, the one you are talking about has a PCIe x16 slot that you could use for a standard video card. that way, all he has to do is remove the x300se that comes with, plug in the new video card, and plug in the power connector for it.

 

[LordPhoenix]

6800 if its possible.

 

[DaveSimmons]

6800 plain is still a good card, though it's annoying that Dell doesn't offer a 6600GT instead, since it's very close in performance and would / should sell for $50-100 less.

 

[Barryj61]

Actually, Dell does offer a 6800GT (or their own take on it called the 6800 GTO), but at a major price premium. My recommendation to him is based on his interest in shooters; I have not heard glowing things about the stock X300SE (as in, my 2+ year old TI4200 can almost keep up with it!). With coupons and careful configuring, he can get an 8400 with either the plain 6800 or the X800SE at just over $1000, which is pretty much his limit. Looks like the 6800 might be the way to go

 

[DaveSimmons]

I said 6600GT, which sells for under $200 in PCI-E. But yes, for shooters the 6800 is the card to get since they don't offer the 6600GT.