Studio Slim graphics card upgrade??

I would give this one a try as it will fit the slim case and work with your power supply.   Replacing the graphics card will not invalidate your warranty.   Understand that even the best video cards do not play FSX with very high frame rates, but the 8600 GT card is way ahead of the HD 3450 and probably one of the best ones that will work in your system.  The only other one I would recommend is the 9500 GT.  This card is a replacement for the 8600 GT with a little bit more performance.  Some have said it will not work with the 250W PSU, but I disagree.  The difference in the watt draw may be something like 5 watts which is not significant.  If you are running an HD 3450, the difference between this and an 8600 GT would be something like 10 watts more.   Again, nothing to be concerned about as your whole system is drawing less than 200 watts with these cards installed.

As far as what is available and has been recommended for these slim cases, here is what I have come up with in order of performance from lowest to highest....

Nvidia:  6200, 8400, 9400, 8600, 9500

ATI:  3450, 4350, 4550

Note:  The 8600 and 9500 would be ahead of the 4550 

Based on all of this, if your goal is to play FSX better, then your only choices should be the 8600GT, 9500GT or HD4550.

You do not have to get a card directly from Dell.  Dell just sells everyone else's cards like any other retailer.  They do not manufacture video cards.  Now if the price is better, then by all means get it from them.

Thanks for that.  I think I'll plump for the 9500GT, as it looks pretty good.  Do you know if its possible to get a 1Gb slim/low profile version (preferably in the UK)?  Also, how much difference does the extra VRAM make?

I currently run FSX in 1024 res with all the options turned off, but my monitor goes up to 1920!

welsh_guy:

Thanks for that.  I think I'll plump for the 9500GT, as it looks pretty good.  Do you know if its possible to get a 1Gb slim/low profile version (preferably in the UK)?  Also, how much difference does the extra VRAM make?

I currently run FSX in 1024 res with all the options turned off, but my monitor goes up to 1920!

If you cranked up the resolution to 1920, the game would not even run.  You will have to stay with 1024 in my opinion and just get better frame rates without the lag you had.  Having extra VRAM would not make much difference at all.  The 512MB is good enough.  FSX chokes all cards so don't expect much with this particular game.  Other games, however, will play much better.

Thanks again guys - I think I'm getting a slim 9500GT from ebuyer: Here .

One more question: When it comes, how do I go about fitting it?

Thanks

Hi again guys. Maplin UK have this low profile 9500GT with 1Gb of memory.

Would this be ok and which do you think I should get - the ebuyer one mentioned previously or this one?

Thanks

That's a cracker of a deal for the price - considering the games you get with it as well

Good find

Hi again. I went out and got the card from Maplin, but now it won't fit in my pc! The card itself is the right size, but the metal bracket is too long for my case due to a VGA port (which I don't even intend to use!) Any ideas?

I put the VGA SPARKLE SX98GT512D3L-NM 9800GT in mine, changed my graphics score from 4.0 to 5.9. Not sure if this made a big difference but also replaced psu with ss 300w. Runs much better now.

Welll, I tried to find a 9500GT with HDMI, 1gb, and a low profile bracket without luck. I then tried to find a low profile bracket for DVI and HDMI again with no luck. Any suggestions?

Just out of curiosity, are you sure that the 9500GT would work with the standard 250W PSU?

Hi atomic80, There are plenty of low profile 9500GT over the 3 pages HERE with DVI, but none have the HDMI. Ps you need an dell 300w PSU to use an 9500GT.