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GeForce 7800 GTX, functional on a Dell Dimension 8400?

post #1 of 27
2/19/06 at 5:00pm
Thread Starter 
Well exactly what is in the title is a GeForce 7800 GTX functional on a Dell Dimension 8400? I bought a 7800 GTX, put it in my computer, took the 3DMark test, and I got a lousy 3000! It also runs brand new games on the same settings as my friends old card, not pefect. This card is supposed to be top of the line, that's why I bought it. So would I need a new power supply for the computer? I don't know how to check my current one.

All help will be greatly appreciated!
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post #2 of 27
2/19/06 at 7:57pm
specs of your pc might help. I''m also assuming it's 3dmark06?
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post #3 of 27
2/19/06 at 8:26pm
Thread Starter 
It's 3dmark05. But that's not the main proble, it doesn't do that great with games. PC stats:
Pentium 4 3.2 GH Processor with Hyper-Threading
1.5 GB RAM
145GB Hard Drive
I don't know what my power supply is, as I said in first post. I'm thinking that may be the main problem, but since I don't know what I have, I don't know what to do.
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post #4 of 27
2/19/06 at 10:54pm
thats wierd. check your drivers. mine on my sig is scores +/-4000 on 3dmark06 and about 6.5K+(i can't remember exactly) on 3dmark05. Maybe its time to do a clean install.
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post #5 of 27
2/20/06 at 11:46am
Thread Starter 
Clean install? What is that? I didn't install this card with a disk if that's what you mean. I bought this card off ebay, and the disk was broken when it came. So I downloaded the drivers off the Nvidia site.
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post #6 of 27
2/20/06 at 1:49pm
yeah, that's fine you use the drivers off the site. Im willing to bet its your psu, though. Actually, im almost positive.
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post #7 of 27
2/20/06 at 2:25pm
Thread Starter 
Heh, I know I'm going to sound stupid, but what is psu?

Edit: Ah, psu = Power supply correct?
Is there anyway I can check my computers power supply?
And is there anyway I can ceck my cards power supply?
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post #8 of 27
2/20/06 at 6:29pm
well if you open your case, you can check your psu. But be forewarned...Dell's PSU's are proprietary. So buying a new one, will not fit in the case no matter what you do. Unless they've changed that recently in which case I am now wrong. But the last time I checked which was about monfh and a half ago.
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post #9 of 27
2/20/06 at 6:38pm
Thread Starter 
First of all, where inside the tower do I check the PSU? I checked already, couldn't find it. And if I can't change the PSU, what do I do concerning the graphics card?
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post #10 of 27
2/20/06 at 6:57pm
What do you mean? How does this affect the graphics card at all? the card gets its power through the pci-e slot, which gets the power from the psu (it is powersupply, byt the way)
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post #11 of 27
2/20/06 at 7:46pm
Thread Starter 
What if my graphics card is not getting enough power? Then what do I do?
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post #12 of 27
2/20/06 at 7:59pm
If you get a new poersupply, then you card WILL be getting enough power.
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post #13 of 27
2/20/06 at 8:12pm
right but if the PSU is propriatary then your not going to be able to get a new PSU...unless its through dell. Now your PSU should be at the top of your case. the one where all your cables are pouring from behind. the 7800 should be getting enough power because your running it...if it wasn't getting enough power you would know.
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post #14 of 27
2/20/06 at 8:22pm
no, thats not true at all. a video card will run without enough power. Hell, my agp ones even run if the molex connector isn't plugged in.

I used to have a dell, and a jerry-rigged a new atx psu into it, its not all that hard to do.

to find your psu, just flollow the the power cord coming out of your wall socket, it plugs right into the back of it.
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post #15 of 27
2/20/06 at 8:28pm
Thread Starter 
Alright, and it will tell me how much power it gives out?
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post #16 of 27
2/20/06 at 9:03pm
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/index.jsp This will take you to where you can estimate your power useage. The power supply in the 8400 is 350 watts. This can be confirmed by looking at the model # (N-350-N). Hope this helps.
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post #17 of 27
2/20/06 at 10:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Serien
Alright, and it will tell me how much power it gives out?
yes, when you buy a psu, its rated by watts
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post #18 of 27
2/21/06 at 12:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by contrvlr65
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/index.jsp This will take you to where you can estimate your power useage. The power supply in the 8400 is 350 watts. This can be confirmed by looking at the model # (N-350-N). Hope this helps.
Thank you very much, very helpful.
Hmm, I've looked all over google for the Geforce 7800 GTX power usage, cannot find it. I checked main Nvidia website too.
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post #19 of 27
2/22/06 at 11:32am
Thread Starter 
I read an article online that a normal 350 watt PSU can handle the 7800 GTX but at average.

Oh and I took another 3DMark05 test and got a 2880! Sigh....
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post #20 of 27
2/22/06 at 12:05pm
http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce_7800_faq.html

Quote:
Q: What power supply does it require?
Current recommendations are 350W for single, 500W for SLI.
i would still reccomend higher than that
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