Need to upgrade video card

[syed2007]

Ok, I have a Dell dimension E520, and I have Ubuntu as the only OS I hate windows, because of the speed. I want to upgrade my video card I only have 305 W PSU I only want to spend around 80-150. I want to use it to play FFXIV which I'm hoping will work. I might have to duel boot just to play. Btw I used to have a GeForce 9500 GT hooked up (borrowing it) for 10 months and it worked fine except for heating and noise and ever since I switched to linux my computer make less noise and freezes less as well as overheat less. So I think I can take another 9500 GT but the problem is my computer makes all this noise and heat when I use it, so I'd like one with just a little less powerful (Emphasis on the little less) I do like to play my games in high quality.
Also I have a big huge fan hooked up so that kind of helped the heat.
BTW does anybody know if you need the FFXIV cd to play or can I just download on line and pay the monthly fee.
Also im new I switched yesterday.

[syed2007]

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[syed2007]

Also my PSU

[cascade9]

9500GTs were pretty good on heat. You could get a 9400GT, but they make just as much heat and have far far less gaming power. Anything that makes less heat, or use less power will have FAR less gaming ability.

Proably your best bet would be a GT220 (more gaming power than a 9500GT, only a tiny bit more heat than a 9500GT) and a new, decent sized power supply.

I wouldnt be suprised if part of your freezing problems are from the low quality power supply in your computer. A decent power supply would help with the heat issue as well.

[PresenceofMind]

A decent PSU between 400W-500W (or even 550W) will help your cause in the long run. They don't cost much nowadays.

The best PCI bus powered GPU that I know IS the 9500GT (for good quality games). Anything above it probably requires an additional PCI power cable.

[cascade9]

A decent PSU between 400W-500W (or even 550W) will help your cause in the long run. They don't cost much nowadays.

The best PCI bus powered GPU that I know IS the 9500GT (for good quality games). Anything above it probably requires an additional PCI power cable.

The E520 is a PCIe system.


Expansion Slots PCI: 2 Slots
PCIe x1: 1 Slot
PCIe x16 (Graphics): 1 Slots


http://www.dell.com/us/en/dfh/desktops/dimen_e520/pd.aspx?refid=dimen_e520&s=dfh&cs=22&~tab=specstab

I'd think your right though, the 9500GT is the fastest of the PCI nVidia cards. As far as the fastest to not need a PCIe 6 pin power connector, I'd guess that title would go to the GTS240. But that card is meant to be OEM only, the fastest retail nVidia card you can get that doesnt need a PCIe power connector would be the GT240 or a GT230v2 (depending on the game)

[PresenceofMind]

Sorry I was using the term 'PCI' as a generic term (not specifically referring to any of its derivatives). Yes, E520 can take PCI-e... And yes, GTS 240 is an OEM model.

[syed2007]

Sorry I made this confusing
Before installing 9500GT
Freezing and still hot
when I had 9500GT
Did not make it freeze more but still freezes ALOT more heat and noise
After Removing
same thing as before installing
I have this huge fan inside I only had connected when the 9500 Gt was installed but it was LOUD its like 7 by 7 inches I'm not sure I really need it but its already so hot do you think It would be fine without it.
BTW when I had it it used to warm my room when it would be like 20 degrees outside
and I changed my mind I don't want to spend 80-150.
So I think I should buy another 9500 GT
also I'm gonna build a computer buy the end of next year, so it would be a waste to buy a PSU

[syed2007]

I'm sorry everyone it was a 9600 GT Overclocked
I just talked to him a while ago

[syed2007]

Which one should I get

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-PNY-GeForce-9600GT-GT-Video-Card-PCIE-1GB-DDR3-HDMI-/200505931328?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item2eaf15b640#ht_2294wt_906

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-PNY-GeForce-9600GT-GT-Video-Card-PCIE-1GB-DDR3-HDMI-/200505931328?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item2eaf15b640#ht_2294wt_906

http://cgi.ebay.com/ZOTAC-nVidia-GeForce-9600GT-512MB-DDR3-VGA-DVI-HDMI-/270638144773?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item3f034a5d05#ht_4539wt_766


http://cgi.ebay.com/nVidia-geForce-9600GT-Video-Card-PCI-E-VGA-DVI-HDMI-/220672091262?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item336114e47e#ht_4044wt_752

I would like one that makes less heat but still strong and also compatible with my computer and linux
and a hdmi port

I already have 3 GB of Ram so I don't think RAM matters.

[PresenceofMind]

WOW..an overclocked 9600GT?...doesn't that require a 400W PSU?

[syed2007]

Yeah I got it from my cousin he told me I need a bigger PSU but he said he thinks it might still run it, and he told me 450.
So any way if my system could handle it in windows then it probley can handle it better in Linux but I won't get it OC I just want to know if it would be compatible I heard some bad things about installing new video cards with Linux. I don't want to waste alot of money on nothing

[PresenceofMind]

Yes. There have been issues with particular models of NVidia (and ATi). As far as I'm aware the 9600GT should be running fine in Ubuntu... the particular ones to watch out would be the 9300 or the 9200 from the laptop versions of the graphics card.

9600GT is a great choice. I do know of one or two cases where people have reported flickering on the screen or the "doesn't Boot!!" problem, but those are very unlikely. Just make sure you run it under LiveCD to make sure everything is nice and install the latest propriety drivers when you install the Ubuntu OS.

If you are not O.C-ing then the heat dissipation should be better, although I still think the PSU is on the boderline.

[cascade9]

9600Gs are pretty power hungry, and hot. I'd get a GT240- they are only a bit more, use a newer, smaller process, use less power, and make a lot less heat and have very similar perfromance-

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gt-240,2475.html

BTW, the power draw on the 9600GT in that test is not typical of 9600GTs. (there are lots of different 9600GT versions, soem of them are much more power hungry).

I think you are crazy, or brave, to even think about running a 9600GT on that PSU. I wouldnt be surpised if you've overloaded the PSU, and thats overloaded some of the motherboard parts, and that has lead to general instability. IMO you shoudl replace the PSU before you do anythign else.


WOW..an overclocked 9600GT?...doesn't that require a 400W PSU?

Just a normal 9600GT is recommended to usea 400watt+ power supply. Overclocked versions would be higher than that.