The auto setting has the system scan the PCI bus for a videocard first, and if it finds one there, that card will become the primary videocard (and the onboard will become the secondary (you could run dual monitor with it if you'd want). If it cannot find a PCI videocard, it will then use the onboard as the primary videocard.
The onboard setting will have the system use the onboard as primary even if you have added a PCI videocard. With this setup you can also run dual monitor if you'd want.
I presume that when I install the PCI card, it should simply boot-up recognising the card as primary controller as you have suggested and all will be well... !! Excellent, that is exactly what I wanted to hear. I was a little concerned it might not be able to recognise the PCI card and that onboard graphics was all I was destined to use.
I just hope the 250W PSU is able to cope with the additional power requirements. Will a standard ATX PSU fit into the 170L mini-Tower? Or do you need to fiddle with connectors and cut bits out of the back? Just in case I have to install one of my 350W Enermax units.
Many thanks for the swift response and I am pleased it was a positive answer. I look forward to using the machine in full Nvidia GPU fashion.. !! :D
I use PNY Geforce FX5500 PCI video cards in my 170L. XP SP2 recognizes them immediately and does not need drivers. Plug in reboot and you are done. The Tower version of the 170L has a sufficient power supply to run these without issue.
<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
DC power supply:
Wattage small desktop computer: 210 W mini-tower computer: 250 W
DELL PART NUMBER (A0416878) NVIDIA VERTO FX5500 PCI 128MBPNY VIDEO GRAPHICS CARD
Many thanks SpeedStep... Glad to hear more positive comments about the use of a PCI Nvidia card...
I should have my grubby mitts on the card this evening and will be installing it over the weekend (adding a 120gb HDD to the system too and stripping down one of my other machines 'for parts'). I am looking forward to banging my head a lot on the underside of the desk while sliding about on my knees... heheh
Everything was installed at the weekend, hardware in place without problems and working fine... Software installed and running ok (transferred from the machine it is replacing).
Performance in Quake 4 isn't exactly 'blistering' but then again I can't expect so from a GF5200 (despite being 256mb), mostly due to it running from a PCI slot at 128bit. Quake 4 does run reasonable at 'low detail' in 1280x1024 resolution though, giving respectable graphics and playable performance.
I realize this is an old thread, but I have an old computer... :emotion-1:
Basically, I am looking to solve the same problem on my (small desktop) Optiplex 170L. With a 210W power supply, is there no way of upgrading the video card? Supposedly the DIAMOND ATI Radeon™ Stealth HD 2400PRO PCI 256 MB GDDR2 Dual DVI (Dual Link) card would work and here it says it only needs 200 W: http://www.diamondmm.com/2400PCI256.php
Does anyone have any luck adding a 128MB video card to the horizontal Optiplex 170L?
Dev Mgr
4 Operator
•
9.3K Posts
0
November 9th, 2005 12:00
The auto setting has the system scan the PCI bus for a videocard first, and if it finds one there, that card will become the primary videocard (and the onboard will become the secondary (you could run dual monitor with it if you'd want). If it cannot find a PCI videocard, it will then use the onboard as the primary videocard.
The onboard setting will have the system use the onboard as primary even if you have added a PCI videocard. With this setup you can also run dual monitor if you'd want.
Scoobz
7 Posts
0
November 9th, 2005 12:00
I presume that when I install the PCI card, it should simply boot-up recognising the card as primary controller as you have suggested and all will be well... !! Excellent, that is exactly what I wanted to hear. I was a little concerned it might not be able to recognise the PCI card and that onboard graphics was all I was destined to use.
I just hope the 250W PSU is able to cope with the additional power requirements. Will a standard ATX PSU fit into the 170L mini-Tower? Or do you need to fiddle with connectors and cut bits out of the back? Just in case I have to install one of my 350W Enermax units.
Many thanks for the swift response and I am pleased it was a positive answer. I look forward to using the machine in full Nvidia GPU fashion.. !! :D
Regards
Scoobz
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
November 9th, 2005 17:00
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/op170l/
I use PNY Geforce FX5500 PCI video cards in my 170L.
XP SP2 recognizes them immediately and does not need drivers.
Plug in reboot and you are done. The Tower version of the 170L has a sufficient power supply to run these without issue.
<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
DC power supply:
Wattage
small desktop computer: 210 W
mini-tower computer: 250 W
DELL PART NUMBER (A0416878) NVIDIA VERTO FX5500 PCI 128MBPNY VIDEO GRAPHICS CARD
http://www.nextag.com/serv/main/buyer/OutPDir.jsp?search=PNY+Geforce+FX5500+PCI&node=0
Message Edited by SpeedStep on 11-09-2005 02:12 PM
Scoobz
7 Posts
0
November 10th, 2005 07:00
I should have my grubby mitts on the card this evening and will be installing it over the weekend (adding a 120gb HDD to the system too and stripping down one of my other machines 'for parts'). I am looking forward to banging my head a lot on the underside of the desk while sliding about on my knees... heheh
Kind Regards
Scoobz
Scoobz
7 Posts
0
November 15th, 2005 13:00
Performance in Quake 4 isn't exactly 'blistering' but then again I can't expect so from a GF5200 (despite being 256mb), mostly due to it running from a PCI slot at 128bit. Quake 4 does run reasonable at 'low detail' in 1280x1024 resolution though, giving respectable graphics and playable performance.
Many thanks for all information.
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
November 15th, 2005 15:00
I have an older Dimension 4300 2.0Ghz Northwood Pentium4 with a BFG 6800GT OC in it for games.
With most newer games its all about the GPU. Even if it only runs at AGP 2X/4X speed.
But then again you get what you pay for. The FX5200/FX5500 PCI cards are in the Under $99 range.
The 6800GT OC is in the $350 range price wise.
I recommend a 6800GT OC for AGP or PCI Express if you can get it and if you have a reasonable power supply.
wiznoo
1 Message
0
August 25th, 2009 12:00
I realize this is an old thread, but I have an old computer... :emotion-1:
Basically, I am looking to solve the same problem on my (small desktop) Optiplex 170L. With a 210W power supply, is there no way of upgrading the video card? Supposedly the DIAMOND ATI Radeon™ Stealth HD 2400PRO PCI 256 MB GDDR2 Dual DVI (Dual Link) card would work and here it says it only needs 200 W: http://www.diamondmm.com/2400PCI256.php
Does anyone have any luck adding a 128MB video card to the horizontal Optiplex 170L?
Thanks for any help.
ryanbrand
2 Posts
0
January 18th, 2012 06:00
has anyone tried replacing the actual case of the pc?
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
January 18th, 2012 06:00
The Power Supply in the 170L can be replaced with standard 550W or better unit.
HOWEVER the video is 32 bit 33mhz PCI 2.3 While you can upgrade to a better PCI card its not really worthwhile
since you can get an Inspiron 620 Tower for $399.
Geforce 8400 PCI works with stock power supply.
Geforce 430 PCI needs a newer power supply.
ZOTAC GeForce GT 430 Graphics card - 512 MB - DDR3 SDRAM