Graphic Card Recommendation for Total Noob

[worthlesspeppermint]

Hi there, I'm Tori.

So here's the deal, I bought an Inspiron 3847 a year and a half ago and realized far too late that it was a bad idea. I'm an idiot; I'll admit I should have never bought the computer in the first place. One could say it was an impulse buy. Nonetheless, I'd like a new computer but currently don't have the ability to build my own, nor would I have any idea how to. But I digress, I bought the computer and put my old graphics card - a Nvidia Geforce GTX 960 in it. It's huge, barely fits in the computer and overheats severely. It's unusable. So, in hopes of finding a more appropriate card, I went to dell, where I bought the Inspiron, they helped me buy a Quadro-something or another.

 

Friday I install it and discover after a quick google search [which I should have done before I bought the card, but to be honest, the guy was hard to understand and I trusted him] I found out it's not for gaming, [which is what I asked for] it's s#*!, and I hate it. I'm returning it as soon as I can.

 

So I'm at a loss. I have little under a foot of clearance in the spot where the graphics card can fit, if even that. I need something small, that won't overheat. I know nothing about computers or graphic cards when it comes to the 'specs'. I'm a noob, and I'll readily admit it. I need something small but powerful, under $200. I want to play Skyrim and Fallout 4 at Ultra settings. My 960 was perfect, it's just too big for the tiny case. It was a great card, I wish I could use it, but I just can't. I can't afford another computer at the moment, so if you have any idea what kind of graphics card would be good for this sort of thing I would appreciate any advice you can give. Something with good quality, small, powerful, and essentially; cheap.

 

I don't know a whole lot about graphic cards, so I'm nervous about buying ANOTHER one without knowing what I need to know first. So I'm asking for your help.

 

Help a noob out?

 

Thanks!

[TheMastersSon]

Dell helped you buy a Quadro, for gaming? Bizarre. What did they charge for the card?

 

First step imo is to find out why your 960 is overheating, because if the problem is a lack of airflow in your computer case, any replacement card will have the same problem. So address that first. Add more case fans if necessary etc.

 

As for card size, if possible get the exact spec for maximum graphics card length from Dell, so you know for sure what will fit and what won't. Many current generation cards (980's, 10-series etc) range from 10.5-11.5" so it's going to be close no matter what you buy. It's another reason to get the overheating problem fixed first.

 

What CPU is in the system and what speed is it running at?

[worthlesspeppermint]

Yeah, I don't think the sales associate knew what he was doing. He also kept trying to persuade me to buy a big-screen TV [not relevant, I know, but still].

 

And they charged me just under $200. And I made a thread about a week and a half ago about my card overheating and I've been told from numerous sources that it's because there isn't enough airflow. [i've taken it to best buy's geeksquad at least 8 times for the same problem in the past three months] I quite literally had to cram the card inside the computer, it was quite a challenge to get it inside. I'd get more fans, but there really isn't any room for them either.

 

As for the CPU, I'm not entirely sure. I know the power source is a cx600m and I know it's an i7 processor. I'm kind of on the edge of just buying a totally different computer made for gaming [which I should have done in the beginning] so I can avoid all this hullabaloo altogether. But then again, I still haven't paid off this computer, so there really isn't the finances for it at this point.

 

And even if I did do that, I wouldn't know where to start. I'm so frustrated with the whole ordeal, and I have no clue what to do, or what is what, or anything.

[iXenite]

Could you post a pic of the inside of the case? With or without the 960 in it would be pretty helpful in my opinion. Also, consider getting the free program Speccy to find out exactly what inside your PC specs wise. Your PSU is really nice for upgrades, and since you were able to install the GTX 960 - your MOBO seems to be capable of supporting GPU upgrades. If push comes to shove, you might be able to just transplant the parts into a new (and frankly better) case. That's assuming that nothing is soldered into the case. OEM manufacturers do that sometimes.

 

Speccy:

https://www.piriform.com/speccy

[BlackRoseOfThorns]

Solution no.1:

 

Buy a real PC CASE and move everything from one case to the other yourself. It's fairly easy, will just take time to do it first time around, since you will have watch some youtube guides. You will get a lot better performance out of your gpu/cpu and it will buy you some time to think what to do next. Adjusting your gpu choice and size to your case is silly, unless you are building a movable mini atx for LOL (not very demanding) game nights at your friends place. Buying small card won't make the build you have right now any better and in a year you will be getting mad at yourself again, because you wasted money on subpar parts. Buy a case you're gonna use for next 10 years. ATX standards won't change anytime soon.

 

Something like this >> Fractal Design or windowless model with a slot for additional fan Fractal Design Define S

There are also cheaper options, so take your time to think about this. Though this one is a good deal. The bottom is cut out and has a dust filter and it comes with two low noise 140mm fans for free.

 

The only problem you might encounter is from Dell/Store side, if they have issue with you changing the case while they are still obligated to do free technical service within warrantee period. Go ask them.

 

 

Solution no.2:

 

Sell your whole rig or most of it. It's very weak and the only parts which are usable are drives and maybe the RAM, if you buy old DDR3 compatible motherboard. Even the 300W PSU is not enough for new graphics card.

 

Keep your gtx 960 for now.

 

 

 

Could you post a pic of the inside of the case? With or without the 960 in it would be pretty helpful in my opinion. Also, consider getting the free program Speccy to find out exactly what inside your PC specs wise. Your PSU is really nice for upgrades, and since you were able to install the GTX 960 - your MOBO seems to be capable of supporting GPU upgrades. If push comes to shove, you might be able to just transplant the parts into a new (and frankly better) case. That's assuming that nothing is soldered into the case. OEM manufacturers do that sometimes.

 

Speccy:

https://www.piriform.com/speccy

 

Don't bother. People already advised case alteration (in detail) in his other thread and nothing came out of it.

Edited September 11, 2016 by BlackRoseOfThorns

[Dazaster]

If it's a question of space causing the problem, the only solution is a discrete low-profile graphics card. Googling that term will show you what I mean, cards specifically designed for a small space. Unfortunately, most of them are older cards, not really suited for modern gaming. You're probably going to be better off saving for a whole new PC I'm afraid.

[Signette]

It sounds like a total disaster. When have you bought this stuff? Can you return it? We have money back policy in all market cells for certain period of time. If you can not return it, just try to sell this whole thing, because building rig by yourself gonna be some serious problem, wrong PC case adds heap atop of this problem.

 

In future you can just post on any PC related board or even here if you like and you will get full decent PC rig description for whatever purposes you like and even link the shop where you may buy this thing which will work perfectly well without making you worry about anything.

 

NEVER trust salesmen, they might be honest, but also keep in mind they have interest to sell in the first place. On boards people don't have financial interest and you will most likely get honest advice. Recently my motherboard burned and in local shop salesman along with service guy were trying to rip me off, but I know better, went to another shop and got everything I need real cheap and quick.

[BlackRoseOfThorns]

It sounds like a total disaster. When have you bought this stuff? Can you return it? We have money back policy in all market cells for certain period of time. If you can not return it, just try to sell this whole thing, because building rig by yourself gonna be some serious problem, wrong PC case adds heap atop of this problem.

 

It's too late. This Dell thing is 1.5 year old. The easiest way out of this situation without breaking the bank this year is to start slowly pushing out the bad parts.

 

Till the end of the year she should get MID/FULL ATX case with MINI ATX support/screw holes (this Inspiron thing was suppose to run on Intel HD cpu discrete graphics and be used for Excell calculations or typing in Wordpad, so they put everything in a can...).

 

Next year she should save up for motherboard, CPU and SSD drive big enough for system and Skyrim. Her old GTX 960 will get her by till then. Right now the GPU prices are not so good for those who are not forced to replace their cards this intant. New gpu models prices are inflated and there's no real price cut on old models untill Nvidia announces Gtx 1080ti.

 

The 960 GPU is underperforming, because of the:

-Mini ATX PC Case with 0 airflow

-Cheap CPU with super bad cooler (no airflow, high temps)

 

Pics straight from the horror stories:

 

 

 

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b570/stupidsamurai/20160902_122517_zpsp4f29isz.jpg

 

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b570/stupidsamurai/20160902_122522_zpsa8szkrp7.jpg

 

 

 

 

In future you can just post on any PC related board or even here if you like and you will get full decent PC rig description for whatever purposes you like and even link the shop where you may buy this thing which will work perfectly well without making you worry about anything.

 

NEVER trust salesmen, they might be honest, but also keep in mind they have interest to sell in the first place. On boards people don't have financial interest and you will most likely get honest advice. Recently my motherboard burned and in local shop salesman along with service guy were trying to rip me off, but I know better, went to another shop and got everything I need real cheap and quick.

 

In some cases they are idiots, who didn't learn anything about computer parts outside of their shop catalogue. Believe me, there is nothing more annoying then going to the shop asking for specific product and get greeted with blank stares, because the staff has no idea what you are talking about. People on the Tech sites have 50 times better hardware and software education than salesmen.

Edited September 13, 2016 by BlackRoseOfThorns

[worthlesspeppermint]

Sorry I didn't respond to this sooner. Thank you guys for all your help.

 

I talked to dell this morning and they will allow me to return the quadro, but like BlackRoseofThorns said, it's far too late to return the computer. Essentially what I'm going to do is save up to buy a good [GOOD, not cheap] gaming computer and just wait it out until I can order it.

 

But while you guys are here, can I ask for another favor? Like my entry post says, I know nothing about computers [the technical side, I'm pretty good with programs and stuff] and since I'll be buying a new one in the future, do you think you could help me figure out which one to get? I'm totally lost. I've been looking on newegg, but it's like speaking a different language.

 

I don't know where to start. All I know is I need something that will hold up and have room for expansion. Something under 1k would be nice.

[BlackRoseOfThorns]

I don't know where to start. All I know is I need something that will hold up and have room for expansion. Something under 1k would be nice.

 

Are you keeping any parts (1T HDD, Optic Drive, Corsair 600W PSU) or Windows OS from the Dell PC or are you selling it? Will you build the computer this time or do you need prebuild config? Maybe you have a friend who can put together from parts? You would save a lot of money by doing this yourself and to be honest newegg prebuild PCs specs aren't that great.

 

Is it 1k USD or EU? Maybe at some point you could sell the GTX 960 for 90 euro and upgrade to a better model.

 

We can get you covered with decent pc build, if you give us a bit of information.

 

 

PS: Do you prefer GPU with better warranty or lower noise level when not running demanding games?

 

Edit: If you have your money ready before Black Friday in November, you might be able to get some stuff at serious discount.

Edited September 13, 2016 by BlackRoseOfThorns