low-profile card issues

[degr-ph]

Hi everyone,
having some troubles upgrading my graphics card.

I have a dell inspiron 530s (slimline). PSU is a mere 250w, seems impossible to upgrade. I bought a low-profile GT 440 1gb.

after installing the drivers and restarting, Windows failed. I uninstalled the drivers in safe mode.

the details of the full-sized card stated 300w, so I wrongly assumed the low-profile card would be the same: but this model needs 450w.

Is windows failing to start typical behaviour of the psu being too low to manage the new card?

I realise the obstacles with a dell 250w psu - but there is evidence of cards that need more than 250w being able to run.

some guidance would be greatly appreciated. many thanks.

details:

2.20 gigahertz Intel Pentium Dual
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
1024 kilobyte secondary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (2 total)
3062 Megabytes Installed Memory

 

[bart1975]

It should at least boot into windows with the drivers installed. 250 watt is really not much but if you do get into windows with the drivers installed I suggest under clocking the video card. You could try unplugging the optical drive or any extra hdd's and see if windows boots then.

 

[Harvey]

Dell specs the PSU for your machine at 300 W (if you can trust their ratings). I think either you'll need a bigger PSU or you'll have to back off your hopes/expectations and settle for a GT 430 card or similar.

If you're looking to upgrade, it may be time to consider selling your machine working as it does and apply the money toward a new rig.

Good luck.

 

[degr-ph]

thank you both for your quick responses.
I am just looking for a graphics card to serve my current needs for the time being (2008-2009 games, med settings).
before visiting ebay, I will re-attempt to boot with the drivers installed - and look into under clocking?
what dangers do I need to be aware of in this process? - considering my psu seems to lack the power.
many thanks.

 

[super_sinbad]

I got the Sapphire Radeon HD4650 512MB DDR2 (Low profile) and installed it on an Optiplex 745 desktop (PSU 280W) , it's been running great ever since, I mostly needed it to play HD movies on a large TV because it has the HDMI output, this machine is kinda like my home media server and player at the same time, I haven't tried games but I think this card is capable of running most games from 2008-2009 flawlessly.

 

[bart1975]

thank you both for your quick responses.
I am just looking for a graphics card to serve my current needs for the time being (2008-2009 games, med settings).
before visiting ebay, I will re-attempt to boot with the drivers installed - and look into under clocking?
what dangers do I need to be aware of in this process? - considering my psu seems to lack the power.
many thanks.

There are no dangers in under clocking your video card. What under clocking does is run the card at lower frequencies that way it consumes less power.

 

[degr-ph]

It should at least boot into windows with the drivers installed. 250 watt is really not much but if you do get into windows with the drivers installed I suggest under clocking the video card. You could try unplugging the optical drive or any extra hdd's and see if windows boots then.

I have the updated drivers installed now, although, I can still only boot in safe mode - so I can't access the software needed to under clock (MSI afterburner). I get a 'Windows repair' message.
Do I have to remove the optical drive physically or could I disable it? (I assume you suggested removing it so that it doesn't consume any of the limited wattage?)

I'd like to try every possibility, as it will only be going on ebay.
thanks.

 

[bart1975]

No need to remove the drive itself just unplug the data and power cable to it. Do the same for any extra HDD's you have also try to free up as much power as possible. You might have to just return the card and get a lower power low profile card. Consider a gt 420 50 watt TDP or a HD 5570 39 watt TDP. Or just save up for a newer system.

 

[degr-ph]

thanks for your suggestion bart1975, but it seems I'll have to buy another.

Despite the manufacturer's 400w recommendations for the HD 5570, there are plently of reviews that state they work on the dell 530s. it is stated 42.7w max, 9.69w idle here. whereas; the previous TDP for the N440GT I bought is 56w.

I am going to keep my drive unplugged, as I don't use it.
Should I be confident about the Sapphire HD 5570 1GB DDR3 HDMI?

thanks.

 

[bart1975]

I am using the sapphire low profile 5570 in my system and it works great.

 

[degr-ph]

Do you think it would work in my system?

details:

2.20 gigahertz Intel Pentium Dual
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
1024 kilobyte secondary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (2 total)
3062 Megabytes Installed Memory

 

[bart1975]

Yeah it will work in that system. For a few days I had my 5570 in a system with a 150 watt PSU. I had the card uncerclocked until my new case arrived but it worked. You should have no problem running it at default speed with your 250 watt psu.

 

[Noders]

hey i have been trying to talk to dell all day and yea im annoyed as heck i had the the nivdia 9400 gt slime line and it broke the fan melted.........my specs are
inspiron 530s
Windows Vista Ultimate: 32 bit
Intel Pentium dual core 2.20 ghz
3 GB Ram
with a 250 power source.PLEASE HELP!!!!!!