Graphics card for Dell Optiplex GX280 Mini-Tower

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#292571 23-Jan-2010 20:20

My wife is a SolidWorks (CAD) expert and can confirm that when it comes to professional video cards you will find nVidia to be most stable. When it comes to games, ATI seems to do well but probably nVidia also. But issues show up only when you push the card hard.

Note your power supply is not very large so stick to these cheaper video cards which do not require as much power.

Install your new video card and get it working, then next time you turn on your PC press F8 (or is it F10 or F2 or something?) as briefly instructed while the PC boots up. This takes you into the BIOS where you can change settings. Sorry, at the moment my Dell is packed away as we are rearranging but you should find the setting. Or better still get a computer shop to install the card for you and ask them to disable the on-board video. Or better still, tell us in what city/area you are and someone might offer to help.

Flickers might be due to the age of the computer. There used to be issues with capacitors failing which affected all manufacturers mainly in the 90's. The GX280 was not really affected (it is newer), but on my GX280 I had to replace capacitors in the power supply (bought it cheap knowing the power supply was faulty). Send me a PM if it gets worse especially if you get crashes and we can chat about it, otherwise if the flicker stays the same then it is possibly just because it is an on-board video card which is not very good.

You can never have enough Volvos!

TomHax

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#292697 24-Jan-2010 16:39

@meesham -

Thanks, but I think I'll stay with the Sapphire Radeon 4550. Also, as I stated earlier my monitor came with a DVI cable. I will most definitely be using it.

@Niel -

Thankyou so much.

Also, if the flicker continues and/or worsens I will be sure to get in contact with you. I greatly appreciate you offering you personal assistance.
Oh and I would prefer to not take my PC into a computer store to have the card installed as this may be an added fee. How vital is it that I turn off these on-board graphics? What will happen if I don't?

Niel

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#292708 24-Jan-2010 17:41

Not turning off on-board video uses some power, Windows will use both displays (either extends desktop or mirrors it depending on settings), and it uses system resources (some memory and some CPU power).

After installing the video card the on-board video will still be your primary display and the new card will be the extension. To see the BIOS screen and turn off the on-board video you will need to boot with your monitor connected to the on-board video.

You can also tell Windows not to use the on-board video, but I'd prefer doing it via BIOS.

I'm in Pakuranga if you need assistance.

You can never have enough Volvos!

TomHax

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#292713 24-Jan-2010 18:17

Unfortunately I am in Whangarei, Northland, otherwise I would've taken up your offer.

I am sure I could attempt it myself although I am not entirely confident messing with the BIOS. So with my monitor still plugged in, I start up my PC, hit the F8 key several times to enter the BIOS, and proceed to locate a setting called..? What is it most likely to be called? Or under which sub-heading is it most likely to reside?

Btw, I just purchased that Sapphire Radeon 4550 card. Can't wait to get that thing installed and have my problem fixed at last.

meesham

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#292714 24-Jan-2010 18:20

TomHax:
Btw, I just purchased that Sapphire Radeon 4550 card. Can't wait to get that thing installed and have my problem fixed at last.

Nice one. When it arrives it'll come with a full height bracket but there'll be a half height bracket in the box, it's just a matter of unscrewing the full height one and putting on the half height, then you'll be sorted. When my mate ordered his he didn't notice the half height bracket in the box and started doing some "adjustments" to the full height bracket.

TomHax

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#292716 24-Jan-2010 18:28

meesham:
Nice one. When it arrives it'll come with a full height bracket but there'll be a half height bracket in the box, it's just a matter of unscrewing the full height one and putting on the half height, then you'll be sorted. When my mate ordered his he didn't notice the half height bracket in the box and started doing some "adjustments" to the full height bracket.

Haha. Thanks for the heads up! I'll make sure I remember that.

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Niel

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#292737 24-Jan-2010 20:26

Actually I think it is F2. Can't remember. But it will tell you briefly while it starts booting. The menu is fairly logical and I think you will find it easily. My GX280 is still here, just not hooked up, and I can drag it out if you get stuck.

EDIT: I might actually drag it out next weekend as I'm reconfiguring my network and need a separate PC for the kids.

You can never have enough Volvos!

TomHax

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#292739 24-Jan-2010 20:30

Niel: Actually I think it is F2. Can't remember. But it will tell you briefly while it starts booting. The menu is fairly logical and I think you will find it easily. My GX280 is still here, just not hooked up, and I can drag it out if you get stuck.

EDIT: I might actually drag it out next weekend as I'm reconfiguring my network and need a seperate PC for the kids.

Awesome mate. I'll let you know if I get stuck.
Will give you an update when the card has arrived and is installed and working.

TomHax

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#293633 27-Jan-2010 21:16

Ok guys, the card has arrived!

I went to unscrew the full height bracket to replace it with the half height as meesham directed, and removed one small philips screw successfully, hoping I could then pop the bracket off, but saw that some odd screws were keeping it firmly in place. By odd I mean they're not philips or standard but they have an inward cone head?

What should I do? Am I doing something wrong?

wazzageek

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#293662 27-Jan-2010 22:05

TomHax: Ok guys, the card has arrived!

I went to unscrew the full height bracket to replace it with the half height as meesham directed, and removed one small philips screw successfully, hoping I could then pop the bracket off, but saw that some odd screws were keeping it firmly in place. By odd I mean they're not philips or standard but they have an inward cone head?

What should I do? Am I doing something wrong?

These are the screws next to the video connector? A small spanner will help there (very small one)

The inward cone lets you screw the cable on - the idea being to help stop the cable falling off.

TomHax

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#293672 27-Jan-2010 22:27

Awesome! You understood what screws I was talking about! Didn't know how to describe them.

Yes they are the holes/screws which the video connector plugs into. So I will need a very small spanner. Hmm.

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TomHax

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#293707 27-Jan-2010 23:27

It's complete! Mission COMPLETE!!

I have successfully installed my new Sapphire Radeon HD 4550!

Everything is crisp, clear, and BEAUTIFUL! I achieved the 1920x1080 resolution at last!

I am extremely happy. In fact happy is an understatement. I am elated!

I have definitely got some thanking to do. This could not have happened without you wonderful lot here at GeekZone. I am so very grateful for all the help, support, time and recommendations you all offered so willingly for my cause.

meesham, Niel, xpd and wazzageek - THANKYOU guys so much. I truly appreciate it. You made this happen!!

Thanks again - you guys rock!

Kind Regards,

~TomHax