Least Problematic Video Card For E1705

I've been looking at upgrading the video card in my E1705 and want to know which video card is the least problematic to install in my E1705. I am running Windows Media Center and I do not do much gaming. The cards are the Nvidia FX 2500, Nvidia GeForce 7900gtx and the GeForce 7950gtx. I know which card is the best, I'm just trying to find out which has the best and least problematic drivers for my upgrade. If anyone can provide any details I would greatly appreciate it.

 

I believe both the GTX's feature dual heat sinks, so you will have to modify the chassis of your computer itself to fit them in, which voids the Dell warranty if and when they take a glance at your internals when the mobo fries at the video card connection, which it eventually will, because it's an inherent e1705 mobo problem. I have personally upped my ole' 1705 from a 7900 GS (one heat sink to the right, ending in the back left vent of the computer looking at it from the back) to a 7950 GTX and a Quadro (they're all basically the same with the heat sinks now that I think about it) at one point or another, and trying to clip the metal chassis in the corner to make room for the card was difficult and stressful, but I imagine would be easier if the mobo was removed. I left it in while I took industrial scissors and snipped at the corner.

As far as "problematic", you're looking at no difference. If you're using Media Center, I assume you're doing a lot of TV watching/video watching and minimizing, I suggest the 7900. Less heat than the 7950 GTX (have a friend using XPS 1710 with 7950 GTX and had to replace it twice this year for heat issues) and still enough video memory to play high res things.

 

Almost every driver made for the 7900GTX also supports the 7950GTX. Both will almost always use the same driver. The quadro FX2500M is a little more picky. The last driver version which works with it is the 176.88 drivers. I know this because I own a FX2500M.
The 7950GTX and 7900GTX do have more driver options, so you may want to go with either of them.

I cant say which is going to be the least problematic, because that depends on how well the card was made, and if it has any problems.

K-TRON

 

Thanks for the replies and I think I will go for the 7900gtx. Funny thing was I was looking at cards on ebay this morning and someone has the 7950gtx for 85.00 or best offer. It was something found in a box and the seller didn't know if it worked. As much as I thought about buying it the heat issues that I've been reading about kept me away.

 

The 7950GTX runs cool if you use i8kfangui, and force the fans to full

My friend Alex has the 7950GTX in his XPS1710, which is nearly identical to the E1705, and it peaks at around 65C with the fans on full
It will push to 85C with the fans on idle

$85 is an amazing price for that card, usually they are at least $200

K-TRON