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jotajota
01-08-2005, 12:48 PM
Hi,

My brother has a Dimension 3000 and has recently purchased Half-Life 2 and Countstrike: Source. I didn't even realize his computer didn't have a video card (it just has Integrated Intel Graphics 2) until a message from Steam came up saying his computer does not meet the minimum requirements for playing Counterstrike: Source. All the other requirements it meets except for the video card one. It has 512 mb ram, either a 2.8 or 3 gig processor. So I opened up the computer and realized it doesn't even have a slot for a PCI Express card or an AGP card (now this is a relatively new comp, 3 months old, so I was astonished at the lack of expansion options). I did notice that it had an open PCI slot. I was thinking that I could put in a PCI card, but I am not sure the PSU can handle it, or if my brother will even see a major improvement. I just spoke to someone at Dell who said that the Dimension 3000 could handle a PCI video card and suggested the following: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A0364638&c=us&l=en&cs=19&category_id=2999&page=external

I was wondering if there were any other choices that you guys would recommend (mostly for Half-Life 2 and Counter Strike: Source), and if there any problems you foresee with putting this PCI video card in. Also, do you think I should order it from Newegg.com (or some other store like Compusa) or order it directly from Dell.

Thanks!

naxos
01-09-2005, 02:11 PM
Thats a bum deal that it doesnt have an agp slot :(

I might consider replacing the mobo before i got a pci video card (you can do it really cheaply...dell does use atx, right?). I have never read reviews about them because they are quite frankly outdated. The only instance I have heard about people using them is in multi-monitor situations where their primary gfx card is agp.

WackyComputer
01-09-2005, 03:05 PM
Dell, Using Non-Standard ATX Power Supplies Since 1998.

In my opinion you should get a new motherboard, PSU and a ati 9600 or better.

naxos
01-09-2005, 03:47 PM
Do they? oh well... :(