Dimension 3100 graphic card

GordonB · 04-08-2009, 08:17 PM

Can someone recommend a suitable graphic card for the Dimension 3100.

Paul · 04-08-2009, 09:39 PM

Your choice is limited as it has a PCI slot (not PCI Express) and as far as I know nobody makes PCI graphics cards anymore.

I did however find one on amazon:

ZOTAC 256MB GEF FX5200 PCI RET Graphic card: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

GordonB · 05-08-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

Your choice is limited as it has a PCI slot (not PCI Express) and as far as I know nobody makes PCI graphics cards anymore.

I did however find one on amazon:

ZOTAC 256MB GEF FX5200 PCI RET Graphic card: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Thanks for the advice. I've now ordered the card.

otto1357 · 21-12-2009, 09:12 AM

I have a 3100c and acording to the manual there is 2 PCI and 1 PCIe slots, X1. The power is limited to 220Watts. As far as I can make out I need a low profile card and I can use a PCIe (which i presume is better than a PCI card but only X1 not x16 up to 220w. also I read that with this configuaration the maxm useful card memory is 518MB, ie waste of money to buy a 1G.
Can anyone confirm this and suggest any cards that might suit? THks

Paul · 23-12-2009, 03:51 PM

Hi Otto,

I used to keep a list of all graphics card upgrade options on this page:

Dell Desktop Computers Graphics Card Upgrade Options | dmXdimension

According to that it is not possible to upgrade the graphics card in the 3100c with anything other than a low profile PCI card.

otto1357 · 24-12-2009, 08:42 AM

Thanks Paul,

I had a look inside and there are 2 PCI card lsots and another very short connector next which does not look like a PCIe to me (could be wrong).

I think I will play safe and stick to the PCI and get a low profile, <220watts, 518MB.

otto1357 · 24-12-2009, 09:20 AM

I had another look in the manuel and it clearly shows a PCIe slot, Still need to check the inside though.

I also came across some articles on using a PCIe x16 in a X1 slot which seems to work, check out this article.

PCI-e 16x card no fit in PCI-e 1x - General-Motherboard - Motherboards-Memory

If you have an open X1 slot you can plug in a X16 card (or X8, X4) as they are multpile connectors.

Paul · 27-12-2009, 04:51 PM

I'm 99% sure that you will not be able to fit a pcie graphics card in that slot. If I remember correctly it will not even line up with the available slot in the back of the casing.

When I had a 3100 I had to replace the motherboard to fit a decent graphics card and that was a whole lot of trouble...I also had to replace the power supply.

04-08-2009, 08:17 PM	#1
GordonB Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dimension 3100 graphic card Can someone recommend a suitable graphic card for the Dimension 3100.

21-12-2009, 09:12 AM	#4
otto1357 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	PCI or PCIe I have a 3100c and acording to the manual there is 2 PCI and 1 PCIe slots, X1. The power is limited to 220Watts. As far as I can make out I need a low profile card and I can use a PCIe (which i presume is better than a PCI card but only X1 not x16 up to 220w. also I read that with this configuaration the maxm useful card memory is 518MB, ie waste of money to buy a 1G. Can anyone confirm this and suggest any cards that might suit? THks

24-12-2009, 08:42 AM	#6
otto1357 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	PCI or PCIe Thanks Paul, I had a look inside and there are 2 PCI card lsots and another very short connector next which does not look like a PCIe to me (could be wrong). I think I will play safe and stick to the PCI and get a low profile, <220watts, 518MB.

24-12-2009, 09:20 AM	#7
otto1357 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	PCIe x16 in PCIe x1, Dimension 3100c I had another look in the manuel and it clearly shows a PCIe slot, Still need to check the inside though. I also came across some articles on using a PCIe x16 in a X1 slot which seems to work, check out this article. PCI-e 16x card no fit in PCI-e 1x - General-Motherboard - Motherboards-Memory If you have an open X1 slot you can plug in a X16 card (or X8, X4) as they are multpile connectors.

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04-08-2009, 09:39 PM	#2
Paul Administrator Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 356 Thanks: 1 Thanked 26 Times in 23 Posts	Your choice is limited as it has a PCI slot (not PCI Express) and as far as I know nobody makes PCI graphics cards anymore. I did however find one on amazon: ZOTAC 256MB GEF FX5200 PCI RET Graphic card: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

23-12-2009, 03:51 PM	#5
Paul Administrator Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 356 Thanks: 1 Thanked 26 Times in 23 Posts	Hi Otto, I used to keep a list of all graphics card upgrade options on this page: Dell Desktop Computers Graphics Card Upgrade Options \| dmXdimension According to that it is not possible to upgrade the graphics card in the 3100c with anything other than a low profile PCI card.

27-12-2009, 04:51 PM	#8
Paul Administrator Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 356 Thanks: 1 Thanked 26 Times in 23 Posts	I'm 99% sure that you will not be able to fit a pcie graphics card in that slot. If I remember correctly it will not even line up with the available slot in the back of the casing. When I had a 3100 I had to replace the motherboard to fit a decent graphics card and that was a whole lot of trouble...I also had to replace the power supply.