Picking a Graphics Card

Cornext · December 2024

Hey there! Here's to hoping I can get some help with picking a graphics card for my PC. Sorry if I'm doing this forum thing wrong, please tell me if so. It's my first time. In case you're wondering, I didn't attach a URL for my PC (even though the top post says to do so) because it's factory prebuilt and I can't find it within the online catalogue itself, but I do describe it below in detail. Since my account is so new, I can't post links. But just search up Inspiron 3847 Specifications online and you can find exactly what I am talking about.

My PC is the standard factory-built Dell Inspiron 3847 (I know… ancient) with only two modifications, one extra 8 GB stick of ram and a replaced power source of 500 watts that is entirely compatible with the rest of the PC (and with a 6-8 pin connection slot for the PGU). As a Dell Inspiron 3847, the PC itself has integrated graphics of Intel HD 4600. Everything else is very standard and un-customized, unchanged from the factory.

My question is… if I wanted to play a game like Dead by Daylight specifically (I have to ready myself for the FNAF chapter coming this summer lol), which requires a GPU that has at least 1 GB of VRAM and is also DX11 compatible (or DX12), what GPU should I buy for my Inspiron?

Right now I have been testing out an AMD Radeon HD 6850 as the bare minimum, but the GPU itself does not appear in any of the computer's services or even BIOS and I have this feeling that it's not compatible because it's legacy hardware or something along the lines of that. I've even manually downloaded the appropriate drives, deleted old ones, and everything. But still, nothing. For as much as it matters though, the GPU itself does turn on when I turn the PC on and the fans whirr, and the power supply is enough for it. It just doesn't do anything to the software itself. At this point, I'm not even sure if it's a compatibility issue or if it's a software issue or if it's a user issue (my PC setup tries escaping out the window every time it sees me coming).

In the case that it is a hardware compatibility issue or it's just too old to use, I really hope that some of you PC experts out there can give me some new suggestions on what to buy. Preferably within the price range of $100-150… if that cheap of a GPU exists... If it doesn't, then please just throw various prices at me and I'll make a choice. Again, a DX11-12 Compatible 1 GB or more Dell Inspiron 3847 compatible GPU for games such as Dead by Daylight. I've been pulling my hair out and losing sleep over trying to get my GPU to work, and so far it has been unsuccessful. So please, send some help, I would really appreciate it. Thanks!