Alienware Aurora Power Supply Unit

XFX Radeon HD 5770 System Requirements

• PCI Express or PCI Express 2.0 compliant motherboard with one X16 graphics slot
• 450 Watt or greater power supply with one 75W 6-pin PCI Express® power connector recommended (600 Watt and two 6-pin connectors for ATI CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode)
• Certified power supplies are recommended.
• Minimum 1GB of system memory

600w ... that's for the whole computer.

Works fine for this person (and others):

http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19359142.aspx?PageIndex=1

You might also check your specs and math. The 5770 is fairly low-power ... I think it's more like 150w each. IIRC, it only has one 6-pin power connector. It's like a nVidia 260 in power consumption and capabilities.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/document?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=pub&docid=80D6B49F83305CB1E040AC0A64E9683E

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&docid=DSN_84D6A6EDA59E9719E040AC0A64E97CC4&isLegacy=true

I have yet to see the whole power supply label from an Aurora 875w PS (with rails documented). Maybe you would like to upload it?

I've only been posting the stress tests I've seen every reviewer post.  Here's an example from LegitReview - http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1105/14/

I don't think it would run exceptional, except that there's two in Crossfire, which most tests put up numbers around 50 FPS on max settings.  I had seen that link (the one explaining what PSU ships with each Alienware) 

(Reposting, it cut half my response)

I've only been posting the stress tests I've seen every reviewer post.  Here's an example from LegitReview - http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1105/14/

I don't think it would run exceptional, except that there's two in Crossfire, which most tests put up numbers around 50 FPS on max settings.  I had seen that link (the one explaining what PSU ships with each Alienware) 

That link says it comes with a 1-1.2KW PSU, but that's confusing, given every other tech support (including the numbers when I built it on the website) said it came with 875W.

As soon as I receive it, I will definitely upload my findings.  In the meantime, still very confused in the discrepancy.

LOL that link to the dell chart is definitely backwards. The Auroras have the smaller PSUs.

That's what I figured, unless everything Dell has told me so far has been off.

I've only been posting the stress tests I've seen every reviewer post.  Here's an example from LegitReview - http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1105/14/

Good review, thanks.

Notice it says "Total System Power Consumption" ... that's a whole computer. It says 2x5770 pulled 396w and you will have 875w to use.

According to the chart. my single 5870 pulls about the same as 2x5770 (396w vs. 362w)

I don't have FurMark installed, but if I run Heaven Benchmark at 1920x1200, 4xAA, and other default settings ... my APC says the machine is only pulling 260w. 170w at idle. Those numbers match up good.

These PSUs are definitely sub par compared to corsair or other major brands for their wattage. BUT they should power your 5770's no problem.

I've only been posting the stress tests I've seen every reviewer post.  Here's an example from LegitReview - http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1105/14/

Good review, thanks.

Notice it says "Total System Power Consumption" ... that's a whole computer. It says 2x5770 pulled 396w and you will have 875w to use.

According to the chart. my single 5870 pulls about the same as 2x5770 (396w vs. 362w)

I don't have FurMark installed, but if I run Heaven Benchmark at 1920x1200, 4xAA, and other default settings ... my APC says the machine is only pulling 260w. 170w at idle. Those numbers match up good.

Thanks for taking a look at it.  I hadn't really realized it meant total computer wattage, I figured that was a stress test for the GPU alone.  Those look like much stronger numbers now.  My only remaining point of confusion was that I though each component could only connect to a single rail at a time.  That's why the really expensive Corsair's now run a single 12 Volt rail running at 40-60 amps, so that you don't get some rails overloaded and some rails with zero pull.

That's the general marketing trick, is to have a really high wattage PSU with very low amps on each rail.  

Oh, and unrelated question, but is running Furmark on these computers really that bad?  I know they put stress on the computer, but it shouldn't be more than it can handle.  I'm only asking because of the forum FAQ stating not to use it (though that was by NVIDIA, so idk).

My only remaining point of confusion was that I though each component could only connect to a single rail at a time.  That's why the really expensive Corsair's now run a single 12 Volt rail running at 40-60 amps, so that you don't get some rails overloaded and some rails with zero pull.   That's the general marketing trick, is to have a really high wattage PSU with very low amps on each rail.

Yes, that is why (overloading) ... but it's not a marketing trick. It's just the design (smaller circuits working together). Even the Corsair won't deliver the max rated 12v in real-life... for that to happen, all the other output voltages with have to be zero (in which case the PC wouldn't run).

If you have a PS with multi-rail 12v, and your video card has 2 power connectors, it would work (device is powered by more than 1 rail at a time).

As for the FurMark question ... many machines and systems (computers, cars, whatever) will operate at max or red-line for some time. However, it can accelerate wear-and-tear and longevity of the machine. Some chips run on the hot-red-line better than others. Some people rely on "governors" to protect them, but they aren't always set properly.

Thanks for that thread morblore. More of the truth comes out. Ive been preaching at all along. Everyone seems to think they know the exact detail of every part in their alienware computer. The truth is we have no idea what is going on behind the curtain. 

The Dell version of the 5770 is not the same as the reference card. The card uses less power and is not as fast as a reference 5770. You also must use the dell BIOS and drivers with it. Again, if you buy this card you MUST and I mean MUST use the Dell bios and drivers. If not you are almost certain to have issues. Some OEM parts do not have the same specs as a stock part. This is the case with the 5770. If I was you I WOULD NOT buy that card.

Read this post.  http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3515/p/19341537/19731466.aspx#19731466

" You and AMD are operating under a misconception. The Dell video card is not the same as the retail video card. So AMDs Ati Radeon HD5770 may require 450w but ours does not. We ask the manufacturer to make a Dell OEM (original equipment manufacturer) video card based on our specifications. This means the GPU and Vram are tweaked by our custom Vbios.

The following video cards will work on this 350w power supply -
Radeon HD5770, P120A
Radeon HD5450, M114A
GeForce GTX260 P201N
GeForce GTS240, P118N
GeForce 9300GE, M114N
GeForce GT220, M205

Load the Ati Radeon HD 5770 Vbios and test the PC. Post the results. "

Sorry for the double post, but I've made up my mind on the computer.  

Just got off the phone with Dell, and have decided to cancel my computer.  It is unfortunately already too late, therefore a ~$200 restocking fee is going to apply, which is about as exorbitant as I can imagine, given that it hasn't shipped yet.  Regardless, I think this is the best option, and I will take the $200 hit (plus $100 non-refundable shipping, so $300 total) as a lesson not to be fooled by flashing lights and promises of quality.  Between the impossible tech support, the OEM GPU (even though that information IS NOT  LISTED on the website), the proprietary PSU cable, and everything else, I'm thoroughly disappointed, and am unlikely to purchase a Dell again.  This purchase was made based on faith in quality parts, quality service, and honest information, as one should expect with a $1500 machine.  I got none of those, and Dell still gets $200 from me in the end.

Thank you to everyone that responded, this forum was a huge help in understanding more about computers in general, and the general way that Dell operates when building a computer.  Tesla, Morblore, and C_Ronic, your information was invaluable in a financial decision that greatly effects this poor college student.  You have my thanks.

" You and AMD are operating under a misconception. The Dell video card is not the same as the retail video card. So AMDs Ati Radeon HD5770 may require 450w but ours does not. We ask the manufacturer to make a Dell OEM (original equipment manufacturer) video card based on our specifications. This means the GPU and Vram are tweaked by our custom Vbios.

I'm surprised Chris wrote that. He was clearly trying to defend Dell's decision to marry it with a 350w PS.

There are no ATI/AMD "retail" 5xxx desktop cards. ATI stopped making their own cards about the time AMD bought them. Most (from various companies) are basic "Reference Design" cards. These Dell desktop cards are likely made by MSI or FoxConn. No, they aren't OverClocked, but no one said they were.

Yes, it uses the Dell VideoBIOS ... so what. The Dell drivers are not tweaked and are exactly the same as what AMD.com provides (again, because they are reference design hardware).

Yes, OEM cards are a little different, but no one ever said they were made by XFX, Sapphire, eVGA, etc. ... anyway, it's the GPU on-board that really matters.

I think the Aurora would have served you fine, but it's your money. If you get a chance, drop back by and let us know what you got instead.