Video RAM limited to 512MB by system?

Hi everyone,

I own a Dell Precision 380 and I'm thinking of upgrading to a BFG
8800GTS OC 640MB video card. However, on the Dell spec sheet for the
computer, it reads:

"Graphics ... Support for ISV-certified PCI Express graphics cards up
to 150 watts and *with up to 512MB graphics memory* including: nVIDIA
Quadro FX 4500; etc. ..."

Just wondering if my video RAM is somehow limited by my hardware/
software, or if the spec sheet actually means "with video cards
available up to 512MB."

Computer specs:
- Pentium D 940 Presler 3.2GHz
- Intel 955X chipset
- 2GB DDR2 533MHz
- Vista Business x64

Thanks.

-Dan

wrote:
Hi everyone,

I own a Dell Precision 380 and I'm thinking of upgrading to a BFG
8800GTS OC 640MB video card. However, on the Dell spec sheet for the
computer, it reads:

"Graphics ... Support for ISV-certified PCI Express graphics cards up
to 150 watts and *with up to 512MB graphics memory* including: nVIDIA
Quadro FX 4500; etc. ..."

Just wondering if my video RAM is somehow limited by my hardware/
software, or if the spec sheet actually means "with video cards
available up to 512MB."

Computer specs:
- Pentium D 940 Presler 3.2GHz
- Intel 955X chipset
- 2GB DDR2 533MHz
- Vista Business x64

Thanks.

-Dan

The RAM is inconsequential in this case (and in any), you're limited by
the PSU in the system. I've got the same P380 at work with a Quadro
1400 and it has a fairly weak power supply. Check the sticker on the
side of the PSU and for total 12V rails amperage; you'll need 26+ total
system amps.

You might have a different one from me, but the 380 seems to have been
designed to have just enough power for the spec of 150 watts over the
PCI-E bus. Any more power has to come from a 6-pin connector.

* :

I own a Dell Precision 380 and I'm thinking of upgrading to a BFG
8800GTS OC 640MB video card. However, on the Dell spec sheet for the
computer, it reads:

"Graphics ... Support for ISV-certified PCI Express graphics cards up
to 150 watts and *with up to 512MB graphics memory* including: nVIDIA
Quadro FX 4500; etc. ..."

Just wondering if my video RAM is somehow limited by my hardware/
software, or if the spec sheet actually means "with video cards
available up to 512MB."

It means that Dell "supports" (i.e. sells) gfx cards with up to 512MB
memory. This is no hardware limitation, it just means that the biggest
gfx card Dell tested in this system is the Quadro FX 4500 with 512MB.
Other cards very likely will just run fine, they just haven't been
tested by Dell.

BTW: you don't have to worry about the power supply. The machine was
designed to power a Quadro FX4500 while being stuffed up with disks and
memory, so you shouldn't have a problem with a GF 8800GTS.

Benjamin

I do not beleive that you are really limited to 512 MB of video RAM.
HOWEVER it sounds like you may be limited in your choice of video card model
by the limited size of the PSU that Dell provided the system with. Typical
of them.

--
--DaveW
wrote in message
...
Hi everyone,

I own a Dell Precision 380 and I'm thinking of upgrading to a BFG
8800GTS OC 640MB video card. However, on the Dell spec sheet for the
computer, it reads:

"Graphics ... Support for ISV-certified PCI Express graphics cards up
to 150 watts and *with up to 512MB graphics memory* including: nVIDIA
Quadro FX 4500; etc. ..."

Just wondering if my video RAM is somehow limited by my hardware/
software, or if the spec sheet actually means "with video cards
available up to 512MB."

Computer specs:
- Pentium D 940 Presler 3.2GHz
- Intel 955X chipset
- 2GB DDR2 533MHz
- Vista Business x64

Thanks.

-Dan