Hi, I was hoping you guys could help me with a problem upgrading my video card.
I have a Dell 2.8 GHz 1024 RAM Optiplex GX270 Small Desktop Computer identical to the one shown here on eBay. (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI...EAFB:IT&viewitem=&item=140080578691&rd=1&rd=1)
Its system summary is:
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name USER-54019CA56A
System Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation
System Model OptiPlex GX270
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 4 GenuineIntel ~2793 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Dell Computer Corporation A04, 5/17/2004
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
User Name USER-54019CA56A\Administrator
Time Zone Cen. Australia Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 512.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 35.79 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 2.91 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys
I wanted to upgrade its video card so I could play World of Warcraft on it, which has a minimum video card requirement of nVidia GeForce 2 class or higher. So I went out and bought a nVidia GeForce 6200 A-LE 256MB Low-profile AGP card for it as that was the only latest video card I could get that was low-profile and AGP, but I later found out that my particular computer doesn't have a high enough power supply for it. It only has a 210 watt power supply (http://docs.us.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx270/en/ug/specs.htm) and the particular video card I purchased needs a higher power supply, (not sure how high but I'm guessing 400+ watts).
I looked into getting an upgrade for the power supply (http://www.pcpower.com/products/power_supplies/selector/dell.htm) and this list suggested the Silencer 410 Dell-2 which costs about US $119.
My question is, if I do choose to get the power supply upgrade, will my particular computer/motherboard be able to handle the increased power supply (I've heard that these computers are notorious for blown capacitors and I wouldn't want to aggravate this problem), and if it can, would I also need to get some sort of a fan to cool down the video card, as it runs very hot while in my computer and the current fan I have in there doesn't face its direction, or would the only fan that I'd be able to get, only come as a presold component already attached to the video card in which case I'd have to buy a new video card altogether?
Also, if I decided to cut my losses and buy the minimum required low profile video card suggested to play World of Warcraft, i.e. GeForce 32 MB-64MB 2-4, would those cards also run too hot for my particular computer system and would I need to purchase one with a fan or purchase a fan for it?
Finally, is it even worth the money to upgrade this particular computer (US$119 for the power supply + any additional fan or perhaps new video card to keep it cooled = US$200+, not including the US$120 sunk cost of the video card I've already bought) or should I just sell this one and purchase a new one specifically designed to be good for playing games from somewhere like eBay where they go for US$150-$250 just for the tower or US$400-$500 for a whole package, and thus capable of running the video card I've already bought. (The only game I'm really interested in playing is World of Warcraft as I'm a university student and don't have that much free time anyway.)
Sorry about the length and detail of the question. I guess I get a bit neurotic when it comes to costs and such, but I am studying to become an accountant so maybe that's a good thing , but any help would be greatly appreciated.
I have a Dell 2.8 GHz 1024 RAM Optiplex GX270 Small Desktop Computer identical to the one shown here on eBay. (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI...EAFB:IT&viewitem=&item=140080578691&rd=1&rd=1)
Its system summary is:
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name USER-54019CA56A
System Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation
System Model OptiPlex GX270
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 4 GenuineIntel ~2793 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Dell Computer Corporation A04, 5/17/2004
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
User Name USER-54019CA56A\Administrator
Time Zone Cen. Australia Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 512.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 35.79 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 2.91 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys
I wanted to upgrade its video card so I could play World of Warcraft on it, which has a minimum video card requirement of nVidia GeForce 2 class or higher. So I went out and bought a nVidia GeForce 6200 A-LE 256MB Low-profile AGP card for it as that was the only latest video card I could get that was low-profile and AGP, but I later found out that my particular computer doesn't have a high enough power supply for it. It only has a 210 watt power supply (http://docs.us.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/opgx270/en/ug/specs.htm) and the particular video card I purchased needs a higher power supply, (not sure how high but I'm guessing 400+ watts).
I looked into getting an upgrade for the power supply (http://www.pcpower.com/products/power_supplies/selector/dell.htm) and this list suggested the Silencer 410 Dell-2 which costs about US $119.
My question is, if I do choose to get the power supply upgrade, will my particular computer/motherboard be able to handle the increased power supply (I've heard that these computers are notorious for blown capacitors and I wouldn't want to aggravate this problem), and if it can, would I also need to get some sort of a fan to cool down the video card, as it runs very hot while in my computer and the current fan I have in there doesn't face its direction, or would the only fan that I'd be able to get, only come as a presold component already attached to the video card in which case I'd have to buy a new video card altogether?
Also, if I decided to cut my losses and buy the minimum required low profile video card suggested to play World of Warcraft, i.e. GeForce 32 MB-64MB 2-4, would those cards also run too hot for my particular computer system and would I need to purchase one with a fan or purchase a fan for it?
Finally, is it even worth the money to upgrade this particular computer (US$119 for the power supply + any additional fan or perhaps new video card to keep it cooled = US$200+, not including the US$120 sunk cost of the video card I've already bought) or should I just sell this one and purchase a new one specifically designed to be good for playing games from somewhere like eBay where they go for US$150-$250 just for the tower or US$400-$500 for a whole package, and thus capable of running the video card I've already bought. (The only game I'm really interested in playing is World of Warcraft as I'm a university student and don't have that much free time anyway.)
Sorry about the length and detail of the question. I guess I get a bit neurotic when it comes to costs and such, but I am studying to become an accountant so maybe that's a good thing , but any help would be greatly appreciated.