AurianaValoria1 Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 (edited) Hey guys! I'm hoping you can help me out, here. I've had an excellent graphics card in the ATI Radeon HD 5770 for the past five years, and it's still capable of running games like Skyrim full blast: ultra graphics + mods + ENB. I love this card (even though it's kinda loud), and it's done its job well. However...like I said, it's five years old. :tongue: I'm not sure how much longer it will remain a good choice for running the games coming out in the next few years...or even for handling the internet for that matter. :laugh: Being the way that I am, I hate lag/FPS stutters, and those who know me know I love to take pretty screenshots. :D I'd like to find a suitable upgrade for this card that will last me at least the same number of years if not longer, with equal quality and reliability, without having to pay out the nose for it (tall order, I know :laugh:). Furthermore, because I know next to nothing about looking at the insides of a computer, I need your help in figuring out something that will fit pretty much exactly where the old card sits...same dimensions, in other words. I'm going to get someone else to open up the case and install it so if it goes wrong I can blame them. :tongue: Here's what I do know about my computer: - Dell Desktop Studio XPS 8100- Intel i7 processor- 8GB RAM- Windows 7 64 bit OS I will say this - I'd prefer to stick with ATI and not switch to NVIDIA unless I absolutely have to. The main reason being that I have experience with ATI and like their products. :D Edited July 13, 2015 by AurianaValoria1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeroKing Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Info on your power supply would help as well, because AMD power requirements have changed since the AMD 5000 series. As for purchasing an AMD card, I'd wait a bit before the release cycle end. AMD just released their newer GPUs. That AMD R9 Fury looks quite promising, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obobski Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 I agree with ZeroKing - you should try to get information about the power supply as it will be very useful in finding a replacement card. Modern ATi (or AMD; it's the same thing) cards have improved since the 5000 series, but as ZeroKing points out, the top-end models have increased power consumption as well. Once you know what your power supply capabilities are (you could probably plug your Dell Service ID into the Dell Support website and it'd tell you), then you just figure out what fits into your budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AurianaValoria1 Posted July 13, 2015 Author Share Posted July 13, 2015 It still has the power supply it shipped with, so that would make it a 350W, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obobski Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 That...will likely be a problem. I would say confirm that if you can, but if you're limited to 350W you're either going to have fairly narrow upgrade choices, or you'll be replacing the PSU too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AurianaValoria1 Posted July 14, 2015 Author Share Posted July 14, 2015 (edited) That...will likely be a problem. I would say confirm that if you can, but if you're limited to 350W you're either going to have fairly narrow upgrade choices, or you'll be replacing the PSU too. Hmm, you're right, as I just checked the recommendations for the card I already have and it is at least 450W...so the logical assumption would be that I have at least that. I'll check the actual PSU when I can, but until then, I guess we can assume I have at least 450W? Just for estimations? Edited July 14, 2015 by AurianaValoria1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obobski Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Most likely that's a reasonable assumption. Just based on Dell machines I've worked on in the past, if I had to guess, I'd say 460W or 520W (they seem to be common sizes for Dell machines). The other question is how much physical clearance do you have inside the case, especially if it's a BTX layout ("upside down"). I'd say it's worth taking the time to pull the side panel off, read the information off the PSU, and also take a measuring tape and see how long of a card would fit, as well as how many expansion slot positions (the "strips" on the back of the case) are available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AurianaValoria1 Posted July 19, 2015 Author Share Posted July 19, 2015 (edited) Well, I finally got the case opened up: - The PSU is indeed a 350W, which is really surprising to me- The dimensions of my current card are approx. 13 inches long (9 without expansion) x 4 1/4 inches wide (between motherboard and opposite side of case) x 2 inches high Without the plastic expansion, there'd be a few inches of extra room lengthwise, but there isn't any room at all between the motherboard and the other side of the case. There also might be an inch or two of play in the height. EDIT: The way it's made is that it looks like the card is lying down pretty much in the bottom. Edited July 20, 2015 by AurianaValoria1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deleted54170User Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Get a new power supply first. Test to see if your Video card just needs the power supply to be replaced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obobski Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Agreed - you'll need a new PSU to have many options for a graphics card upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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