Video Card Help - Dell Inspiron 530

[ratnrol]

With the help of RFDers I have pulled the pin on purchasing a new dell inspiron 530 (original post here (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=680614)).

I am coming back to tap into the knowledge base again. This time I need help / recommendations on selecting the best video card for my system.

Criteria:
Usage: surfing, email, listening to music, streaming video/music to PS3 and some basic video & photo editing. The PC will not be used for any gaming.

Budget: <$150.

Summary of system:
- Intel® Core™2 Quad processor Q8200 (4MB L2, 2.33GHz, 1333FSB)
- Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
- 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 4DIMMs
- 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
- Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
- Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
- 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
- No Modem Option
- Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader
- IEEE 1394a Adapter

I know very little about video cards. I do understand now that it is important to look at the specs.

I read in another thread (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7987660&postcount=10) that someone was recommending a ASUS EAH4670 (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121274&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-14-121-274-_-Product) for the inspiron 530.

Your feedback and recommendations would be appreciated.

[Zero1]

ATI 4830 (http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=35010&vpn=AMD%2DATI%2DRADEON%2D4830%2D512MB&manufacture=NCIXPC)

Use Price Canada to find a cheaper price.

[ratnrol]

Thanks Zero1,

I would like to learn more about the differences between the 4830 and 4670.

Can you recommend a website that I can do side by side comparisons?

Edited:
Found a website called gpureview.com. Here is the side by side comparison (http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=586&card2=579).

Unfortunately, I do not know enough about the info to properly understand it. I don't mind paying more for the 4830 if there is value. Can someone please help me understand why I should choose one over the other.

Thanks!

[ipassgas]

if you're not a computer geek, and have no interest in gaming, then why don't you just add te $60 256mb card that dell will install for you as part of the options?
Sound like the simplest to me and it should meet your needs.

[CalgaryRunner]

I don't game so I usually go for a passively cooled card because I don't want to hear yet another fan running in my system.

I've used a passively cooled HD3450 in a Inspiron 530 and it worked fine for the sort of things you want to do. You can still pick them up for about $50 but a better deal might be to get a passively cooled HD4550. DirectCanada is selling this one (http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=14080BD4866&vpn=11141-03-20R&manufacture=SAPPHIRE) for $65.72.

[FerrisB]

Am i missing something. No gaming at all so no need for any kind of 3d acceleration, no playing HD video on the system so no need for hardware acceleration (+ the CPU is fine on it's own anyways). Why would he need anything but onboard video?

[CalgaryRunner]

Am i missing something. No gaming at all so no need for any kind of 3d acceleration, no playing HD video on the system so no need for hardware acceleration (+ the CPU is fine on it's own anyways). Why would he need anything but onboard video?
Good point. I can think of 2 reasons for needing a video card - a requirement for a DVI or HDMI connection to the monitor (the Inspiron 530 w/ the GMA3100 has a VGA connection), or a requirement for dual monitors. However, the OP hasn't specified either of those requirements.

[terrybear]

I wouldn't recomend a Asus videocard, but anyways

What card you might want to look at is a passivly cooled Radeon HD 4550. I think I found some with a dvi & hdmi output on them at ncix for around $70 or so

Actualy here is the link for it :)

Gigabyte Radeon HD 4550 600MHZ 512MB 1.6GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E16 Dual DVI-I HDCP HDTV Out Video Card $68.72

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=34812&vpn=GV%2DR455D3%2D512I&manufacture=Gigabyte

It says taking orders on it but they still have 5 of them in stock. :)

[ratnrol]

if you're not a computer geek, and have no interest in gaming, then why don't you just add te $60 256mb card that dell will install for you as part of the options?

In hind site, I wish I would have. In another thread (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7985936&postcount=4) I had the 3450 card selected and a poster said not to get that one and buy my own. As I mentioned earlier, I am not that familiar with graphic cards and my new vista machine. :o

...HD3450 in a Inspiron 530 and it worked fine for the sort of things you want to do. You can still pick them up for about $50 but a better deal might be to get a passively cooled HD4550. DirectCanada is selling this one (http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=14080BD4866&vpn=11141-03-20R&manufacture=SAPPHIRE) for $65.72.

Memory Express has the 3450 for $49.99 (http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX19932(ME).aspx) and 4550 for $89.99 (http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX22713(ME).aspx). I am sure if I looked around I may find for a bit less. I tried to compare the two (http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=555&card2=584), but not sure I selected the right ones.

I don't mind spending the extra $40 if it means the card will last me longer (e.g. bigger bang for the buck). My PC doesn't arrive until Jan 12th, so I have some time to shop.

Am i missing something. No gaming at all so no need for any kind of 3d acceleration, no playing HD video on the system so no need for hardware acceleration (+ the CPU is fine on it's own anyways). Why would he need anything but onboard video?

Ferris, I guess this is why I posted the question. If everyone said that I was wasting my money on buying a physical graphics card, then I would probably just wait and see how the new machine works. I had read somewhere that vista aero may need more than the stock dell integrated graphics card (sorry, don't have the link).

Good point. I can think of 2 reasons for needing a video card - a requirement for a DVI or HDMI connection to the monitor (the Inspiron 530 w/ the GMA3100 has a VGA connection), or a requirement for dual monitors. However, the OP hasn't specified either of those requirements.

I have only been using vga on my existing PC and would like to see if the quality would be better with dvi. I have no interest in dual monitors at this time.

What card you might want to look at is a passivly cooled Radeon HD 4550. I think I found some with a dvi & hdmi output on them at ncix for around $70 or so

Gigabyte Radeon HD 4550 600MHZ 512MB 1.6GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E16 Dual DVI-I HDCP HDTV Out Video Card $68.72

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=34812&vpn=GV%2DR455D3%2D512I&manufacture=Gigabyte

Thanks terrybear. I would like to find out how much shipping is. $20 less than ME in Calgary (not including s&h).

In all, this is the kind of help I have come to expect from RFDer's. It is much appreciated and hey, I may even learn something along the way! :D

[CalgaryRunner]

Ferris, I guess this is why I posted the question. If everyone said that I was wasting my money on buying a physical graphics card, then I would probably just wait and see how the new machine works. I had read somewhere that vista aero may need more than the stock dell integrated graphics card (sorry, don't have the link).

I've run Vista Home Premium on an Inspiron 530 with the GMA3100 integrated graphics and had no problem using the Vista Aero interface.

I have only been using vga on my existing PC and would like to see if the quality would be better with dvi. I have no interest in dual monitors at this time.

I've run a pair of Dell Ultrasharps in a dual monitor setup from a video card with 1 VGA and 1 DVI port and I couldn't tell which monitor used VGA and which monitor used DVI. I doubt you'd see any measurable difference.

My advice would be for you to hold off until you receive your computer and try it out with the integrated graphics. If you decide you want a better video card, you can always add one in later.