[Picard1595]

Tell me the Dell and the Model number and I will suggest something for you, you most likely just need to spend some money on a graphics card. Anyways get me the model of your dell and i will let you know.

[randallm]

Originally Posted by Picard1595

Tell me the Dell and the Model number and I will suggest something for you, you most likely just need to spend some money on a graphics card. Anyways get me the model of your dell and i will let you know.

Inspiron 530S
Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU
E5200 @2.50GHz
4GB RAM
64-bit OS
Windows Vista Home Premium

These are the ratings for my computer, according to what my computer says... you can tell my graphics is the crappiest part of the computer:
Base Score 3.4
Processor 5.4
Graphics 4.0
Gaming graphics 3.4
Primary hard disk 5.9

Let me know if there's any other info I can get ya. I've been distracted with Morrowind this entire time haha, hopefully I won't become obsessed with it. The Sims 3 was just downloaded on here too.

[MakingMoneyX]

According to this, it seems your PC has a PCI-Express x16 slot, so yeah, you are able to install a (low profile?) video card on it, but the power supply (250 W) might be a problem.

[mjhasbach]

Originally Posted by rafaelzepe

You might want to upgrade to windows 7 64 bit when it comes out

The final versions of Windows 7 (RTM and OEM) have been out for quite some time now. Just download one for your desired architecture and buy a key from one of the members here (I got one from PiP) or crack it if that's what you're into.

Originally Posted by steamwhistle

Overclocking voids any warranty on the mobo, ram and/or computer itself. If anything were to happen to your computer during that time you are sol.

Um...not true. The only scenario where this WOULD be true is if you were to flash the bios of your video card with a higher default clock speed (even then, manufacturers probably wouldn't notice [they have to process so many returns that they more than likely aren't going to check to see if the BIOS has been modified]).

CPU overclocking is usually done via the BIOS of the motherboard and GPU overclocking is usually done via computer software. Neither of these methods leaves any evidence of overclocking if you were to RMA the parts.

Originally Posted by MakingMoneyX

According to this, it seems your PC has a PCI-Express x16 slot, so yeah, you are able to install a (low profile?) video card on it, but the power supply (250 W) might be a problem.

Yea, a 250 Watt power supply is going to be a problem with a decent, modern graphics card.

Your best option is probably to buy a cheap 500-600 Watt power supply (Rosewill is a quality manufacturer of cheap PSUs) and get a Nvidia Geforce GTS 250.

I have a GTS 250 in my computer now, and I'm my opinion it has the best price/performance ratio of the Nvidia cards currently on the market.

I can't speak much for ATI.

[randallm]

I thought the actual final release of Windows 7 was like October 22nd or something? Either way, I had planned on eventually switching to that, if I could find a good place to find it (ahem, free) with no problems.

Unfortunately, I'll have to put purchasing those things for my computer on hold as I'll probably be broke for a while (currently unemployed and it's destroying my life!), but I'm trying to learn as much as possible before I do actually throw down some cash on new stuff for it.

[mjhasbach]

Originally Posted by randallm

I thought the actual final release of Windows 7 was like October 22nd or something? Either way, I had planned on eventually switching to that, if I could find a good place to find it (ahem, free) with no problems.

Unfortunately, I'll have to put purchasing those things for my computer on hold as I'll probably be broke for a while (currently unemployed and it's destroying my life!), but I'm trying to learn as much as possible before I do actually throw down some cash on new stuff for it.

That's when Microsoft is shipping orders for Windows 7 and when it hits shelves, etc.

The final version is usually completed months in advance.

You have RTM, which stands for Release to Manufacturer (a.k.a Retail, this essentially the same as what will be in stores) and OEM, Original equipment manufacturer (copies that are intended to be tied to one machine, sent to you along with your driver CDs when you buy a new computer).

Anyway, both editions have been floating around for quite some time. I'll send you a PM. Or you can send me one.

[randallm]

Well I know a ton of people who received the Windows 7 upgrade (certain places of work, schools, etc. gave them out to their workers/students), but I thought it was still perhaps considered the Beta version.

[steamwhistle]

Originally Posted by mjhasbach

Um...not true. The only scenario where this WOULD be true is if you were to flash the bios of your video card with a higher default clock speed (even then, manufacturers probably wouldn't notice [they have to process so many returns that they more than likely aren't going to check to see if the BIOS has been modified]).

CPU overclocking is usually done via the BIOS of the motherboard and GPU overclocking is usually done via computer software. Neither of these methods leaves any evidence of overclocking if you were to RMA the parts.

All of my boxes said that it would. He doesn't know how to overclock, nor does he need to.

[randallm]

Originally Posted by steamwhistle

All of my boxes said that it would. He doesn't know how to overclock, nor does he need to.

Ha yeah I'll just take things one step at a time for now... I'm fine with learning slowly haha

[ertylee]

i think that this might help u...
Newegg.com - Galaxy 96GFF6VIFCXX GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 SLI Supported Low Profile Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

[randallm]

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind for the future when I actually have some money again.