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Dimension 8400 video Card

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Latest post 11/07/2009 08:02 AM by fireberd. 1 replies.
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Joined on 01/07/2005
Posts: 6
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Dimension 8400 video Card

07 Nov 2009 07:15AM

I desperately need help to choose a good video card upgrade for my PC.  I have an old 2004 version of Dell Dimension 8400 which came with video card: nVidia 256MB PCI Express x16 GeForce 6800 GTO.  But this video card has been replaced at least 5 times in the past 3 years by Dell free of cost because of the guarantee.  The problem will come when the guarantee expires.  Since the spares don’t last long, I am seriously thinking of upgrading my video card.  COULD ANYBODY SUGGEST A FAIL-SAFE AND GOOD REPLACEMENT FOR nVidia 256MB PCI Express x16 GeForce 6800 GTO.   I enjoy working with Photoshop and Google Earth.  My kids, for whom the PC was originally meant, gave up gaming and video editing because of frequent breakdowns.  

Someone suggested the root cause is a LOW PERFORMING POWER SUPPLY UNIT (PSU), upgrading which would solve all the breakdowns and burn outs.  If that is the case, could anyone suggest a proper upgrade that would fit into the Dimension 8400 case without having to move around and replace components?

I am not a technical person nor do I understand much of tech jargon and hence am unable tell in depth about my system (especially motherboard).  I live in Rome, Italy, where there might not be a wide array of video cards available as in the US or UK.  Do suggest more than one choice so I could at least find one.

 

Thanks!

Robin

 

Below are a few specifications that I picked up from Dell support at:

 http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8400/SM/specs.htm#wp1052308.

 

Model: DIMENSION 8400 P4 PROCESSOR 540 WITH HT

RAM: 4 (1gb x 4) GB PC-4200 DUAL CHANNEL DDR2 533MHZ (detects only 3.2 gb)

Video card: nVidia 256MB PCI Express x16 GeForce 6800 GTO

OS: Windows XP Pro

Components: 2 HDD (160gb each), 2 DVD, 1 Disk drive

Computer info: Chipset - Intel 925X Express or Intel 925XE Express; DMA channels - eight; Interrupt levels - 24; BIOS chip (NVRAM) - 4-Mb

NIC - Integrated network interface capable of 10/100/1000 communication;  System clock - 800- or 1066-MHz data rate (depending on your processor); DC power supply: Wattage - 350 W; Heat dissipation - 460.7 BTU/hr

 

PSU: (info gathered from label on Dimension 8400 PSU body) Model N350P-00 A00119

Output 350W MAX. +5V – /22.0A,  -- /18.0a,  – 18.0A,  -12V -- /1.0A,  +3.3V -- /17.0A,  +5VSB –/2.0A,

MAX. COMBINED POWER ON +5V AND +3.3V OUTPUT IS 150W.   MAX. COMBINED OUTPUT CURRENT ON + 12VA & +12VB OUTPUT IS 28A.  +5V & + 3.3V IS 150V.  +12VA  & +12VB  IS 28A

 

 

 

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Inverness, FL
Joined on 05/29/2002
Posts: 30,541
Points 117,346

Re: Dimension 8400 video Card

07 Nov 2009 08:02AM

There are many "good" video cards on the market, both "NVIDIA" and "ATI".  The power supply is not the problem, although depending on the new video card it could require an upgraded power supply (higher wattage).  The power supply in the 8400 is a standard "ATX" power supply (without a rear panel power on/off switch - one with a switch will work but it may require cutting the rear panel to accomodate the power switch). 

Here is a 9800GT video card that gets good reviews and is "low power" (meaning your 350 watt power supply will probably handle it).

The current video card you have does not have a cooling fan on it and it may be it's overheating and the reason they fail.  Make sure you have the PC located where it can get adequate (cool) air circulation  (off the floor and not in a PC desk compartment).  Gaming is one of the most rigorous things a PC can do and that can cause overheating of the PC and especially the video card and that can also lead to premature failure.  The referenced 9800GT has a fan so it will help with cooling.

Dimension E510 with D925 CPU and Vista Home Premium 32 bit

Home Built PC with Q6600 CPU, 8GB RAM, HD4850 Video, HTO Striker 7.1 Audio Card - Windows 7 64 bit Professional

Sonar 8.5.1 ( Producer) DAW Software/Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 Recording Interface and Frontier Tranzport wireless controller.

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