ATI Radeon? X300 SE?

[Lexxon]

On Dell, the only video card listed online to use other than integrated video is the PCI Express? x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon? X300 SE. I have no idea what this card does. I've considered building a computer, but if this card is decent, I could but a Dell instead--especially because of their free monitor deal.

How is this video card? I was going to put a 9600 PRO in my built computer.

Thanks.

 

[Acanthus]

Its far slower than a 9600, class it with the FX5200U area.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Acanthus
Its far slower than a 9600, class it with the Etch-A-Sketch area.

Fixed. The x300SE is not only equipped with the same pipes as a 9200SE, but has the same neutered 64-bit RAM.

- M4H

 

[LTC8K6]

What are you going to use the computer for? If you are gaming any at all, forget all about the X300SE. If you aren't gaming, it might be all you really need.

 

[Sideswipe001]

Originally posted by: Lexxon
On Dell, the only video card listed online to use other than integrated video is the PCI Express? x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon? X300 SE. I have no idea what this card does. I've considered building a computer, but if this card is decent, I could but a Dell instead--especially because of their free monitor deal.

How is this video card? I was going to put a 9600 PRO in my built computer.

Thanks.

You won't be able to put your 9600 Pro in it. No AGP slot. It's only got a PCI-Express slot.

You could get that computer with the integrated video and then add a PCI-E video card of your choosing, if it's a good deal. Go look for a 6600GT. That's a good PCI-E video card that's not too expensive.

 

[ZobarStyl]

ATi took the slowest card they still make and said "Let's attach the word 'Express' to it and give it to Dell!" A 9600 would run all over the x300SE. Be wary of any video card Dell puts in your computer: since that's the part that Dell customers are likely to know the least about, Dell either puts in no card/utter crap cards or high end cards at 200% markup.
The reason you get the free monitor is you are likely to have to buy more RAM and a new video card to make a good working computer out of a Dell, which will equal out in the end to the cost of a decent monitor. Build your own instead.

 

[beany323]

so if i got a system with a pci-e X300 SE card in it, all i would need to do is swap it for a better one?
(and yea their memory tends to be on the low side!)

so a 128MB DDR ATI RADEON 9800 PRO would be better correct?

(i saw a 64MB GeForce4 MX 420 boy that really weak!)!

they also list: 256MB Nvidia GeForce 6800 GTO Graphics Card
and a 256MB PCI Express x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X800 XT
but they tend to be on higher costing systems.

(trying for a pci-e board with sound and maybe a dvd r +/- and at least a 3.0 procesor amd ddr2, that would be better yes?)

thanks!!

 

[gpgofast]

You can only use a PCI-E card in the newer Dells. An ATI 9800(or 9XXX anything) is an AGP card and will not work. I am waiting for the availability of PCI-E cards to increase. Right now, there is not much choice. It seems like the OEM's are getting the majority of the new production. By the way, my new, free to me, Dell 8400, 3.2GHz with the ATI X300Xse scored a WHOPPING 1840 on 3Dmark03. I really hope my X800XL ships soon. GP

 

[mwmorph]

well x800xt is good. gto is crap though. neutered 6800gt at the same price point. buy onboard video and then upgrade from there. the x800xl IF it dosent get pushed back again and again will be out by mid to end of feburary in good numbers. the best bang for the buck right now is 6600gt

 

[beany323]

ok just to be sure... since most of the systems dont list their agp/pci set-up, i am safe to assume that if it has a pci-e video card, (even if it a crappy one) that i should get it and upgrade the video card (and add memory also it seems). Also i am trying for a 3.? ddr2 memory so who knows, i may get lucky!

just to be sure!!

and thanks for the input on video cards, i am going to get a gaming computer, and its gonna have all the bells and whistles.

thanks

 

[mwmorph]

actually ,the onboard video still means there is a pci-e slot just that it's unused. go ask sales support. if it does have a pcie slot with onboard video noly. id get that and just upgrade.

 

[gpgofast]

The Dell 3000 has intergrated graphics and no available expansion slot. STAY AWAY!!!GP

 

[mwmorph]

well, dell does suck.

 

[beany323]

Originally posted by: mwmorph
well, dell does suck.

yea, but if it keeps the kids away from my upcoming sli/2x 6800 ultras, i am all for it!!! :laugh:

 

[Pete]

If you want to game and know you'll be upgrading, stick with the Intel IGP (make sure you're getting a PCIe x16 slot just in case, but I'm pretty sure you will with anything but the bottom-end Dell 3000 or the tiny 4700C) and buy a $200 6600GT or faster card yourself.

Dell also sells some decent PCIe upgrades, IIRC, but I don't remember how price competitive they are.

 

[mwmorph]

ah... good point. thank god i dont have kids.