Hello, I am now in the market for a new video card for my computer. I have a budget of about US$100-US$250 for it. This is my computer stats:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a 305w powers supply.I know for sure that I have a PCIe x16 slot for a video card if that helps. If you need any more info here is the dell page, http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/dimen_e520?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

 

make sure you click on tech specs.

 

 

 

I would like to be able to play some of the newer games on full graphics as well as WoW and EVE-Online.

That page from Dell lists what that computer can have in it, not what you have in yours exactly.

 

 

 

Your picture is broken also.

 

 

 

Your power supply is too weak for any new graphics card. You will have to upgrade that also.

I fixed the picture, it works now. What would you suggest for a power supply?

your power supply is fine. Unless you are planning on getting a 8800 series card, which is out of your budget, that power supply is fine. Dell fits cards like that as an option on those computers themselves. these cards are all good, with the top one being the fastest (and most expensive) and the bottom one being the slowest (and cheapest). they should all work with your computer:

 

 

 

The 8600 gts superclocked

 

 

 

the 8600 gt

 

 

 

the 8500 gt

 

 

 

All of these cards should work with your computer. All of the cards I have listed here are by EVGA. They are a good manufacturer and I have never had any problems with them, but who you pick is up to you.

 

 

 

Note: the 8800 gts is 30$ higher then your price range, but it is significantly more powerful then the other cards here. I just thought I would mention it.

Snipersas you really think 305watts of power is enough for a new graphics card? You must be crazy. Dell puts the minimum that is needed to power it with just the components that they supply. Those graphics cards may be an option to come with that computer but they also must put a stronger psu.

 

 

 

It may run with that power supply but your just asking for trouble.

 

 

 

EDIT: I just even noticed in the links you posted they even mention you need a minimum of 400watts on a 8600gts.

I have taken a similarly configured computer of a friends of mine and installed a 8600 gts just fine. Dell uses the 305 watt PSU in all of their computers, aside from the high end XPS. The numbers recommended for a power supply for those cards are VASTLY inflated. Without running multiple RAID arrays, or putting multiple cards in SLI or extreme overclocking, that PSU is fine.

Now are you absolutely sure snipersas? because I am going to the store tomorrow and I need to know if I really need to get a new PSU because I don't want to totally mess up my system.

Now are you absolutely sure snipersas? because I am going to the store tomorrow and I need to know if I really need to get a new PSU because I don't want to totally mess up my system.

 

 

 

I would advise getting atleast a 450watt or 400watt at the minimum if thats all you want to spend.

 

 

 

If you don't have enough watts for the graphics card (and the system) you will have slow downs by the graphics card or full system crashes.

ok, thankyou. Is there any particular brand that you advise?

If you DO consider a PSU as well, don't be fooled by some cheap & nasty 400, 450, 500, 550, 600W that's no better than a good quality 300-350.

 

 

 

If the ratings are to be believed, then the most important is the combined 12v rating (maximum concurent load across multiple 12v lines, if it has multiple).

 

 

 

The Core 2 Duo uses less power than a P4 so that is a little more leeway.

 

 

 

An 8600GTS uses 71 watts and is normally used with a PCI-E power connector, as it is close to the unassisted slot power limit of 75W.

 

The GT is about 50W, and does not require a power connector.

 

 

 

Anything higher than an ATI X1600 series, an Nvidia 7600 series or an Nvidia 8600 series is going to need a better PSU, but a good 300W unit should be able to deal with a non-overclocked C2D 6300 CPU, a midrange graphics, and a normal amount of memory & drives.

 

 

 

That depends on it being a GOOD 300W - I'd be wanting to see at least 14A available through the 12V.

 

 

 

Can you see the PSU ratings with the side panel off?

All the stuff I could see looked like gibberish but I could see something that said 12VA=18A

Sorry to double post but, i bought an nVidia 8500gt videocard and a CoolMaster 430w PSu and they work great. Thanks for the help to those that did.