adding an HDMI card to an OptiPlex 320

The 320 does not like nvidia based cards.  Use a Radeon 5450 or better. PCI SERR msg may need to be disabled in BIOS BEFORE inserting a card.

Hi,

I have recently purchased a Radeon HD5450 card for my Dell Optiplex 320.

After installing the card, I went to the BIOS to make sure the onboard video was on "Auto".

Unfortunately the machine runs slow etc and the diplay is just horrible defaulting to the standard VGA adapters.  Upon updating the driver to Radeopn 5450 a message popped up sayin there is a conflict that the onboard was still "on" which is supposed to be off as nothing is connected.

The machine is still running s-l-o-w, BIOS is updated to the latest version but it is still not diabliong the onboard.

Can you advise ?

Cheers !

The video drivers must be installed  Radeon 5450's work fine in dell. All Models can use ASUS EAH5450 except USFF because USFF has no slots.

I have recently purchased a Radeon HD5450 card for my Dell Optiplex 320.

My OptiPlex 320 wouldn't boot Windows 7 with a 4650 card, but upon replacing said card with a Sapphire 6450, the 320 booted just fine.

Just sayin'.

Hi, 

The Radeon HD5450 drivers were also installed and still the same issue of onboard graphics conflicting with the standalone card.

I have connected my standalone graphics to my TV/Monitor, but the same issues are still there, even though I connect nothing on the onboard VGA.

Thanks,

BIOS has been updated with the latest version from the Dell website.

The Radeon HD5450 card is by Sapphire

My Dell OptiPlex 320 spec is :-

Core2Duo E4300

4GB RAM

Window 7 Ultimate

Sandisk 120GB SSD 

No idea what brand card you have but I have had ZERO issues with the ASUS EAH series 5450 OR 6450.

Works fine on Optiplex 320, 330, 360, 620, 745, 755, 760,780, 960, 980 ETC.I would update to the latest bios and turn of the PCI SERRR msg.

You cant have 4 gig ram in a 320.  You can have 2 or 3 but not 4

Some of the ram is stolen by the onboard Video.  And every 320 Ive ever owned would not post with 4 gigs of ram installed.  Only 2.5 or 3 gigs.If you have 4 take 2 out and then try the card.

Many Thanks SpeedStep.

i have removed one of the 2 GB Modules and now the Radeon 5450 is ALIVE !!!!!!!!

Shame I had to remove the 2 GB, now what to do with it,.  I did had a BSOD issue when the RAM was removed, but so far touch would, it seems to be ok ...... "having more" is not better in this case !!!

Once again, many thanks SpeedStep fro your advice in getting my Media PC up and running, thought I'd tried everything ..... apart from that !

If you have one module of 1 gig or 512 put that in the other slot.  You will then get the benefit of more ram and still be able to post.  2.5 or 3 gigs is fine.  Its 4 that has the issue.

Hi,

I put an extra 1GB module to try and take it to 3GB in total (or 2.5), but BIOS and Windows seems to be showing 2GB.

Just wondering if there may be any ideas that I could be doing wrong ?

The 1GB memory speed is at 667MHz, same as the existing 2GB

Try the 1G stick alone.

Does it work?

If so then swap slots with the 2 and the 1.

Then check again.

Some vendors ram DOES NOT work together.

2.5 is from a 2 gig and 512 meg

3 is from 2 gig and a 1 gig.

Ok Cheers !

I'll give it a try later

Hi Speedstep,

Just to update, I tried the 1GB ram, works well swapped slots and vice versa but still showing 2GB.

Not a biggie problem just thought I maybe able to use the 1GB that I got.

Thanks for all the help and advice on this.

Cheers !

BIOS is updated to latest version, 1.1.12

As said before, not a biggie as it's running ok, just thought I'd try and take it to the memory max with the 1GB graphics card that I installed.