Graphics Card Help

[Ian]

Can anyone provide some advice re Graphics Cards in general.

I purchased one recently for my PC - the card was an nVidia 7600GT PCI Express. Min power supply required 300W.

My PC is a couple of years old and this was my first graphics card purchase, my concern is whether the card is too powerful for the PC as it seems to have slowed it down significantly and twice over the weekend the PC locked up completely.

My PC is a Dell Dimension 5100, it has 1GB memory and a 305W Power Supply. Dell have suggested that I download the latest drivers from the nVidia site or check for other corrupt software to try and solve the problem.

I'm just trying to find out if there is a way to check if the card is appropriate for the machine and/or if there is anything else I can do to solve the problem.

Please excuse my total lack of knowledge in this area but do let me know if more information will help provide an answer.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[FragTek]

First I recommend using a program called DriverCleaner to completely wipe out any old drivers. Then make sure you are using the newest drivers available from nVidia's homepage.

If you're still having problems it's because the PSU in that Dell is being overworked. If it says it's a 305w max output PSU, from Dell, I would probably say the max output is probably somewhere between 200-250w. Freezing is a common problem when you're not providing enough power to your GPU.

 

[Ian]

Thanks for the quick reply, I thought it may be the Power Supply - may need to upgrade..... but then if I do that I may need to get a higher spec card too

 

[Toxcity]

Thanks for the quick reply, I thought it may be the Power Supply - may need to upgrade..... but then if I do that I may need to get a higher spec card too

Whack in a 400watt PSU and you should be fine for a good few years!

And do as Fraggles said and clean the drivers out with Driver cleaner..

Can be found here: http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=745

Boot into safe mode when using Driver Cleaner.. just to be "safe"

 

[Ian]

Thanks for that advice Toxcity. One other question if I may be so bold. I read a thread somewhere else that seemed to suggest that it might not be that straightforward to replace the PSU in some Dell PC's. Does anyone have any knowledge/experience of this? How easy is it generally to replace a PSU?

Thanks again for all help :worship:

 

[Toxcity]

In my experience with PSUs.. it is pretty easy.

But I haven't mucked with Dells.

But I cannot see how it would be any different.

Oh, and going back to the original question, Have you checked the temps?

EDIT: Welcome to the forums mate! Maybe Post in the introduction section.. if you plan to stick around!

 

[FarFarAway]

Dell PSU's tend to be custom-made

However PCP&C make some that fit right in

 

[FragTek]

Dell PSU's tend to be custom-made

However PCP&C make some that fit right in

Yes, Dell 'tarded out and didn't make some of their BTX puters with ATX spec PSU's which makes it a royal PITA for finding a quality PSU replacement.

 

[Ian]

Thanks folks.

I need to check the drivers for the card are the most up to date first but I'm suspecting that I'll be looking at new PSU.

Might nip over to Introductions, just not sure if I'll be much use to anyone , but then again you've all made far more sense than pretty much everywhere else I've looked put together so I may just stick around for the help & advice

 

[Rastalovich]

Ya, a quality 400w, or u could be no better off.

 

[FarFarAway]

Thanks folks.

I need to check the drivers for the card are the most up to date first but I'm suspecting that I'll be looking at new PSU.

Cool, good luck

Might nip over to Introductions, just not sure if I'll be much use to anyone , but then again you've all made far more sense than pretty much everywhere else I've looked put together so I may just stick around for the help & advice

You're welcome mate, everyone is :wavey: