Help me upgrade my Dell PE 400SC?

NailbunnyPD

Basically, I want to drop more memory in it, and find a suitable AGP video card for the system.

The memory is easy, as I will probably just buy a pair of 1G sticks of DDR PC3200. I am currently running 512M PC2700 and 2x256M PC2100. I was thinking of trying to reuse the 512M, but its probably not worth it.

The video card is the troublesome part. I am not all that familiar with current power needs for video cards, and have been reluctant to order anything in fear that I will fry the card by trying to use the native PSU in the system. The Dell PowerEdge 400SC was one of the first systems that Dell decided not to use a proprietary PSU design, though, so that's in my favor. The system is AGP, so that limits the playing field. I am currently running a Radeon 9800 Pro that has served me extremely well.

I know I would probably be better off in the long run just replacing the system, but thats not a financial option at the moment. I need this system to get me through one more year before I can replace it.

Thank you in advance for any guidance offered.

vonPoonBurGer

NailbunnyPD wrote: »

The memory is easy, as I will probably just buy a pair of 1G sticks of DDR PC3200. I am currently running 512M PC2700 and 2x256M PC2100. I was thinking of trying to reuse the 512M, but its probably not worth it.

I don't think you'd notice much of a performance jump between PC2700 and PC3200. However, the motherboard in that system does support dual channel RAM, and dual channel does offer quite a nice boost in many applications, so it may be worth paring the number of sticks in use down to just a matched set of 2x 1GB PC3200. You should be able to find a 2GB "value" RAM dual channel kit for $150 or less.

NailbunnyPD wrote: »

The system is AGP, so that limits the playing field. I am currently running a Radeon 9800 Pro that has served me extremely well.

I was all primed to say "zomg, AGP? har har don't bother", but then I found this page. Good ole Tom, he's got you covered. There are at least a few half-decent AGP cards floating around, but the problem is going to be finding one. Since PCI-E is by far the most common interface type for graphics cards these days, it's getting harder to find newer AGP cards. There may even be an AGP Radeon 3850 in the near future, but it'll cost more than $200, and you may want to avoid sinking that much money into a machine that's only meant to last you another year. So probably a 2600XT for ~$115, or a 7900GS for ~$180 if you're willing to spend that much.

NailbunnyPD

Thanks for that link! Well, the 2600XT runs a bit more expensive than the 7900GS, but the 7900GS has better specs and DX10 is not important to me. Here's the 7900GS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814150174

How do I determine if my system will meet its power needs prior to ordering?

NailbunnyPD

http://www.poweredgeforums.com/showthread.php?t=1189&page=6&pp=30&highlight=400sc+7800

Based on this thread, it looks like my PSU only puts out 13a on the 12v rail, so no dice with this card. Others report the x1950 working, but I can't find one on Newegg. How was the x1650?

NailbunnyPD

I've order the 2G of RAM, Kingston Value brand. I also ordered a VisionTek Radeon x1950 Pro through TigerDirect. I am not fond of TigerDirect, but I can't find the card anywhere else. I ordered through Amazon, so hopefully that adds a layer of assurance that I get the product.

Thanks again, vonPoonBurGer.

imperial6

I had this entire post written out about how a 1950 wouldn't run on that psu, a 1650 wouldn't be much of an upgrade, so you were stuck with the $150 7900gs and $100 of new ram...then I realized:

Budget amd processor + mobo = $140
2 gigs ddr2 800 ram = $40
decent psu = $50
evga pci-e 7600gt = $70
put it all in your old case (free) and move your old hard drive over (free)

This is $300 for an entirely new pci-e system that can be upgraded again when you have more money with things like a new sata hard drive and a new graphics card. It would be insane to upgrade that agp system when you can do this.

edit: oh noes, I was too late it seems. Cancel that order

NailbunnyPD

The case can't be re-used (Dell proprietary), and the card does run on that PSU. Check the last link I posted. I also have a friend running the GT version, but I couldn't find that for sale anywhere.

imperial6

Well that's good news, surprising to me but still good news. Ok so it would be another $50 for a new case...I'd still get the new system for $350.