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Thread: New graphics card and RAM for Dell Optiplex GX280

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    New graphics card and RAM for Dell Optiplex GX280

    Hi there,

    My Dad recently bought a Dell Optiplex GX280 system second-hand. It runs well, but I am looking to upgrade the RAM and Graphics Card (it doesn't have one at the moment) to give it a little boost.

    Can you guys suggest any fairly low budget options for us to look at?

    I believe the graphics card slot is a PCI-E x16, and the mobo takes DDR2 memory.

    Graphics card wise I was looking at the HD3850, because I have a 4850 myself and am pretty happy with it, plus it seems pretty affordable over at scan (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/512MB...-DL-DVI-I-HDMI).

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks very much.

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    Re: New graphics card and RAM for Dell Optiplex GX280

    The 3850 is a pretty decent card, certainly for the money. Any decent branded DDR2 kit of RAM will do the job, Corsair, Crucial etc

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    Re: New graphics card and RAM for Dell Optiplex GX280

    I think the 4670 performs the same as a 3850 but runs cooler and has less of a power thirst, iirc. They are slightly cheaper too.

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    Re: New graphics card and RAM for Dell Optiplex GX280

    Reading this review of the 4670 http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=15393, it does sound pretty good and is going for a good price too.

    Out of these versions http://www.scan.co.uk/Search.aspx?q=hd+4670 which would be the best? Is there really much difference between the different manufacturers versions (e.g. Sapphire, Gigabyte)?

    Thanks very much.

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    Re: New graphics card and RAM for Dell Optiplex GX280

    As most of the bundles are the same i'd probably go for the longest warranty or style of cooler.

    (I purchased a HiS one because it exhausted the hot air out the back, it seems they have stopped stocking these )

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    Re: New graphics card and RAM for Dell Optiplex GX280

    I would also consider the 9600GT Green Edition:

    http://www.ebuyer.com/product/167474

    The Ebuyer picture is wrong and the card is bus powered:

    http://en.inpai.com.cn/doc/enshowcont.asp?id=4981

    The Green Edition has lower clocks than a standard 9600GT but it would be still better than a HD4670 IMHO.
    Last edited by CAT-THE-FIFTH; 02-09-2009 at 11:21 PM.

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    Re: New graphics card and RAM for Dell Optiplex GX280

    Depends what you want to do with it, if all you're doing is runing office + internet and such a graphics card is not going to give much improvement.
    Also the PSU may not be able to cope.

    Make sure the memory you get is 1.8v as it may not like higher voltage memory/lack the ability to set it corrwctly in the BIOS
    2gb of corsair Value select pc2-5300 should be fine
    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/2GB-(...d-CAS-5-5-5-15

    And importantly make sure windows is as clean and streamlined as possible without any very clunky antivirus programs.
    I'm not saying no antivirus, just not a clunky one.
    Also check nothing is running that shouldn't be.

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    Re: New graphics card and RAM for Dell Optiplex GX280

    there's a 4650 on scan for under £40. That's great value for money

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    Re: New graphics card and RAM for Dell Optiplex GX280

    Thanks for the advice everyone.

    I'll probably go for the 4650 or 4670; they seem to be pretty good value.

    Cheers.

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    Re: New graphics card and RAM for Dell Optiplex GX280

    Quote Originally Posted by makoblue View Post
    Thanks for the advice everyone.

    I'll probably go for the 4650 or 4670; they seem to be pretty good value.

    Cheers.
    The 9600GT is a faster card and costs around the same:

    http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/gra...-iceq-review/3

    http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/gra...d-4670-512mb/6

    The Green Edition has slightly lower clocks but will still be quicker IMHO.

    Once you start applying AA the HD4670 performance starts to crumble when compared to a 9600GT since it has far less memory bandwidth available. The HD4670 is more comparable to the 9600GSO 96 shader version. I usually like ATI cards myself but in this case the 9600GT is the better choice and company preference should not come into the buying decision if you want to stay objective.

    Also do not go for an HD4650 unless it is the GDDR3 version!! If it is not the this version it will have similar performance to a 9500GT GDDR3 which is not that great.

    The same goes with the HD4670 as the GDDR3 version is the only version you should go for!! There are many HD4670 cards with much slower DDR3 memory and these are again much slower.
    Last edited by CAT-THE-FIFTH; 04-09-2009 at 08:05 AM.

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