gonna have to upgrade the dell

[newport]

hello all ,I had hoped to be able to post in the "build your own pc"topic,but due to the current economic downfall I will have to just upgrade a dell xps 400 that we have.

My question and the thing I need help with is replacing the psu and adding a new video card. I understand that dell uses proprietary motherboards and psu's. So I humbly ask for help in choosing at least a 500w psu and a new video card ,had thought about a nvidia 260,but I am not sure it will run it or if there is even enough room for it.I have read on another forum that a 9800gt might work but have no idea how to find out.My son does alot of online gaming on this pc so a higher end card is what he wants in it.

Not sure what kind of specs you will need so if this is not enough let me know.

dell xps400
motherboard...dell dxp051
cpu...dual core d82
psu...375w
ram...3gb
o.s...xp media edition

Any assistance given will be greatly appreciated.

[TheGeneralLee86]

How much are you willing to spend on a Graphics card?

[newport]

sorry for the slow reply......life happens.

at the moment the budget will only allow $300 for the psu and gpu,so the higher end card may not be an option for now and since its an older dell I dont know if the 200 series or the 9800gtx will even work.

[The Wise Monkey]

This GTX260 is only $180 after MIR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150329

I'm pretty sure you will be able to upgrade the PSU, but you will need to measure the size of it to see if a normal size one will fit.

This 600W OCZ PSU is great value at $80 after MIR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341001

[newport]

thank you wise monkey,and sorry for not replying sooner(first grandchild was born Monday).

here's my dilemma,with all dell's propitiatory junk I don't want to order a psu and gpu only to find they are not compatible and have to rma them. I have tried to figure this out on my own,but i guess im just to new to this stuff :confused:

I hope im not violating any forum rules and if so please delete this post but I'm going to ask some of you who have the knowledge to look over the service manual for a dell xps 400
link...http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xps400/sm/specs.htm#wp1053343

The psu has 20+4 Main Connector and i dont see a 20+4 in the service manual.....arrrrgh the frustration!!

Please excuse my ignorance on this subject,any help would be greatly appreciated

[RickyTick]

Hey Newport.

I have a Dell XPS410 that my son uses. Its very similar to the one you have. The XPS line is pretty good stuff in general.

Here's what I would consider.

Upgrade to this power supply.
https://shop.pcpower.com/products/description/Silencer_500_Dell/index.html

And then go with this video card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130468

Hope that helps.

[newport]

I had been looking at that psu but wasn't sure about only having a single rail ,obviously I'm new to this.
Anyway if these will work it looks like a solid choice

[The Wise Monkey]

Good suggestions Ricky - the GTS 250 is great value for money.

Oh, and congratulations on the newborn. :)

[newport]

thanks for the help guys.....the knowledge base on here is great.Just a good all around forum.
i ordered the parts and will give an update when they are installed,or sooner if I run into problems.This will be my first time to install anything other than just a simple video card.

Again thanks for the help!