request suggestions for a Dual HDMI output PCI E 16x video card for Vegas Pro 10(d)

[Jeff Schroeder]

Phil,

My advise would be to ditch the onboard video and pick up a decent GTX card. A 460 (~$165) or a 560 (~$190) Most come with 2-DVI ports and 1 HDMI. I’ve looked at the specs for the Inspiron 530, the only problem is you might have to buy a power supply for it. Dell is famous for just enough power supply for what’s in the box. If you buy a GTX card you will need two 6pin power connectors. If you connect it to the power supply that’s in there now it might not power up. The cards will cover two slots (double thick).

Jeff

http://www.narrowroadmedia.com

[John Rofrano]

[Jeff Schroeder] “Dell is famous for just enough power supply for what’s in the box. If you buy a GTX card you will need two 6pin power connectors. If you connect it to the power supply that’s in there now it might not power up.”

This cannot be overstated enough. You should check with Dell to see what card they recommend you use because you might not have enough power for any add-on graphics card. Especially since that PC uses motherboard graphics to begin with.

I agree with Jeff that a nice GTX card with two DVI ports is the way to go.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Stephen Mann]

[Jeff Schroeder] ” Dell is famous for just enough power supply for what’s in the box.”

Not just Dell, almost all PC makers work this way.

Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com

[Mike Hinkel]

I had to jump up the Power Supply when adding a GTX460 card. The Ultra 650w LSX that I went with already crapped out on me. Thought I was saving a few bucks I am now powered up with an Antec High Current 750w. Doesn’t pay to skimp I guess.

[John Rofrano]

[Mike Hinkel] “Doesn’t pay to skimp I guess.”

You should never skimp on a power supply. Many unstable PC problems can be traced back to either not having enough power, or inadequate cooling.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[John Rofrano]

[Stephen Mann] “Not just Dell, almost all PC makers work this way.”

Yea, but Dell had a nasty habit of changing the power coupling on their motherboards so that a standard power supply would not fit! Then they charged you double the price to buy one from them. I don’t know if they still do that, but it happened to me and it was the last Dell I ever bought or recommended.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Stephen Mann]

[John Rofrano] “Yea, but Dell had a nasty habit of changing the power coupling on their motherboards so that a standard power supply would not fit! Then they charged you double the price to buy one from them. I don’t know if they still do that, but it happened to me and it was the last Dell I ever bought or recommended.”

Dell wasn’t alone. Compaq, I think, started the practice. Their motherboards were also odd-sized. Others did from time to time including IBM when they were making the PS2 desktop computers. (though the IBM PS2’s were too small for the “standard” components”.) Ironic when you consider than IBM started those component standards.

HP, on the other hand, never did use odd-sized components in their consumer PC’s. The had to on their pro PC’s and servers because the consumer stuff just wouldn’t work. And you would pay $10,000 for the privilege.

I really don’t know if Dell still locks the user into their peripherals, but like John, my one experience with them was enough for this lifetime.

Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com

[Mike Hinkel]

“Many unstable PC problems can be traced back to either not having enough power, or inadequate cooling.”

Yep, you need the ponies to pull the wagon. The heavier the wagon the more hay you need to feed the ponies.

[Phil Loarie]

Thank you all for a very complete look at this.

A beefier power supply with the right added cable distribution to support a decent GTX card that meets Dell’s recommendations sounds like the ticket.

In the short term, could I simply find an adapter that would split
my current VGA video output for a clone mode 2nd display?

Thanks again,
-Phil

[Mike Thomas ii]

You will need to replace the PSU if you are getting a higher end video card. I believe Dell 530 models use a standard power supply with regular mobo power connections, so any unit that you buy will work fine. Look for a 750w PSU.

If you don’t want to replace the PSU, you can get a 9500 GT card. I have one (EVGA Nvidia 1GB) in my Dell 531 16x PCIe slot with one port to my monitor and the other to my Sony LCD TV and it works pretty good.

https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Graphics-Video-01G-P3-1526-KR/dp/B00549HZ7S

https://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4111742&CatId=3669

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130395