Dell PC's and Video Cards

admjn65

I have a dell dimension 4600C pc, it is smaller than the average pc.  I got a GeForce 5500 OC 256MB AGP graphics card for christmas and I was hoping it would increase the performance of my computer and my gaming by making the graphics better.  I clicked it into the AGP slot of my pc but then I couldn't close my pc back up because the metal part of the card was too tall.  I went into best buy and asked them what to do in order to increase my graphics and they gave me two options...  either buy more DDR memory (I already have 512mb) or buy a graphics card by dell that will fit in my pc. 

Does anyone know of a good card that will fit into my smaller pc?  I have a budget of about $200.  or maybe someone could tell me what else I can do to make my graphics better

Scaris

the ram would be a very marginal increase in graphics performance, the only way that would help at all other then overall game preformance and not video quality would be if you got more ram and increased your AGP aperature size in your bios.

I am not sure what height card would be acceptable. IF you can find it and if you think it would fit, the only older card I would recommend would be a Geforce 4 TI 4200 with 8x AGP, I used to have one, even now with my 6800 I miss that card, man that thing flew.

From what I have seen of images online the Radeons seem less tall then the Geforce cards, maybe a Radeon person could deny or acknowledge that. You may wanna look into them.

Which way doesn't it fit? Is the card to tall when on its side or too tall when on its belly so to speak? Laying flat.

Can you just leave the lid off? I know thats a sucky option, but it may be all you can do.

- Fadeus Hawkwood

admjn65

well the thing is, the card would fit in my pc perfectly if not for the metal part that sticks up on the side.  I should try checking into the radeons, maybe email a dell technician.  I was wondering, since I have two 256MB ddr ram card things, could I replace one of them with a 512MB card so I would have a total of 768MB?

I'd rather not leave the lid off, seeing how the dust buildup would be a pain in the a** and its probably a fire hazard.  It doesnt fit because the metal side where you would plug in a monitor is too long, Here is a pic of the situation (This is not my actual graphics card).

The arrow is pointing to the part that is too tall, so I cant close my pc back up.

Thanks for the advice

Scaris

that part is too long?? I have never heard of them doing that, that would make it impossible to ever upgrade with any components, are you sure your not missing something when putting it in? I mean in theory if you were desperate I guess you could snip off part of that or unscrew it from that bracket and replace it with a dell one? (don't saw, steel shavings bad bad bad for computers, hehe).

Have you taked to dell about it to see what they say? I have never heard of a proprietary sized component slot, that doesn't make any sense.

- Fadeus Hawkwood

admjn65

well my theory is that it's dells way of screwing you over and making you buy more of their products if you want increased graphics.  They made a "smaller more compact" style for a pc and advertised it as "hey its smaller and less bulky, it wont get in your way blah blah blah..." but then they made it too small to accept normal graphics cards and now u have to buy a special smaller one which dell probably charges more money for and probably doesnt perform as well as the "big names" such as radeon, Nvidea, etc...

I dont know if dell even makes their own graphics cards...  But I know that when I put the card in and snapped it firmly in place in the AGP slot, when I would try to close the lid the metal would stick up atleast an extra inch. 

I emailed dell and they sent an email back saying "In general, Dell technicians may not recommend any specific retail product for upgrading any of your factory-installed components, including video adapter cards. However we realize that a better, faster video adapter, like more RAM or a bigger, faster hard drive will greatly improve the performance of any computer. " 

The email also said to go to the dell community forum and find out what other people did to upgrade their graphics, I have yet to do that.

Scaris

ouch, they got you good then. Can you just unscrew the mounting plate from the new card? usually they are only held on with 2 screws and they can be put back on once taken off. Yes your card wouldnt be supported very well in the case, you would eithe rhave to be careful, or find something else to retain it at the end. Other then that I don't think you will find anything that will fit because all cards are on teh same standard so that may be your only option. You may be able to 'modify' that plate alittle to get it to work.

- Fadeus Hawkwood

Mathrone

I had the same computer from Dell and I had the same problem with a video card. What I did was cut the metal part that got in the way off with metal shears. It will hold the card in better than removing the whole mounting plate, but you will still need to be carefull when moving the computer after installing the card. Hope this helps you out.

numatic

Yea cut it. Or bend it lol. I did it to mine when i had my tiny ass HP pavilon tower.

admjn65

Well I am an idiot, because I thought there was no way for the card to fit so I took it back to the store on the 28th

Maybe I will just go buy it again and do a little metal snipping   Thanks for the advice people!