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446450
Alienware Aurora R3 Graphics Card Upgrade
Hello All,
I need some advice for upgrading my current graphics card.
I am currently running dual Nvidia GeForce GTS 450 cards which the computer originally came with.
Not sure what would be a good not too expensive upgrade for my system, and also if I should just buy 1 card or contiune with dual video cards.
Let me know if you need any other information about my computer to give a better idea of what I need.
Thanks!!!!
AndrewSi
901 Posts
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January 14th, 2014 18:00
Hi Darkstarboi - Just remember that any suggestions are going to be peoples personal opinions!!!
Your either on the Nvidia or AMD team depending on what you like.
I personally am on the AMD team. These are my reasons.
1. Better bang for your buck (Value for money)
2. Larger (Usually) capacity GPU's than Nvidia
As Tesla mentioned in a previous post, single cards are better than dual, less issues and much, much less heat in the case (Dual GPU's in an Aurora only give about 10mm gap in between the GPU's - ridiculous!!!)
If you do go with Dual GPU's then remember if you don't get OEM GPU's you will need to purchase "reference" type GPU's, not the standard GPU's that are sold at computer suppliers.
Reference GPU's use a blower fan that sucks the hot air from inside the case and expels it through a vent at the rear of the GPU instead of recycling/expelling the hot air inside the computer case like the standard GPU's do, they are a little harder to get than standards, but if you are going dual, I don't recommend using anything else as you may have problems with overheating.
In my opinion, if you want something on the cheap side that gives you a big step up in performance and speed then I would recommend a single 4GB AMD 6990.
If Tesla's around he may be able to give you a bit better advice than me, he's the man to speak with about Alienware desktop PC's (Sorry Tesla, I hope this post doesn't bombard you with new posts :) !!! )
FYI - In one of the previous posts in this thread it has been mentioned that only a few GPU's have been "authorized" by Dell, just to clarify that for you.
Dell only state that as they did not test anything after the 6990 on your machine, it means absolutely nothing to end users with no warranty left, pretty much any of the cards, even the new GTX780's or "R" series AMD's and the like will work on/in your machine, it's just politics :P
Using a "aftermarket card" in your PC even if you have warranty remaining will not void it, you just won't have any warranty on the aftermarket GPU, which won't be an issues if you purchase the aftermarket GPU brand new as it will have it's own warranty.
Fire off any more question you have, theres quite a few people here who can help you.
DELL-Milena M
Moderator
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2.7K Posts
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January 13th, 2014 11:00
Hello Darkstarboi!
The Aurora R3 will handle the following video cards
Nvidia GTX 460
Nvidia GT 545
Nvidia GTX560Ti
Nvidia GTX 580
Nvidia GTX 590
Nvidia AMD 6870
AMD 6950
AMD 6990
If you use any other video card we cannot assure you that will work properly.
Tesla1856
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17K Posts
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January 13th, 2014 21:00
Yes, IMO ... single card solutions are better. Easier to cool and side-steps possible SLI or CFx problems.
darkstarboi
2 Posts
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January 14th, 2014 14:00
Any good suggestions on a single card thats under $200.00 ... Mostly just play mmos with my computer like wow,rift, and aion
Warhawk1130
8 Posts
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January 15th, 2014 08:00
Its not under 200, but I want to add that I put a GTX680 2MB card into my R3 and it works perfect. I also have the 800W power supply. I see lots of problems with cards when people upgrade their bios, so I don't.
Tesla1856
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March 20th, 2014 15:00
mgratton
10 Posts
1
March 20th, 2014 15:00
So let me get this straight. I bought a $2500 aurora in 2011 thinking I could upgrade components in a few years and now find out that my system does not support card beyond 2011. Are you kidding me. First time ever. I had HP, gateways, etc with no restrictions on upgrades. Bet you alienware was not a problem until they were bought by dell. Here I am trying to install amd r9 290 with no luck....pathetic Michael Dell.
torpenhow
1 Message
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December 14th, 2014 12:00
Does Dell sell AMD Radeon HD 6950 graphics cards for Alienware Aurora R3? If so how do I order?
AndrewSi
901 Posts
1
December 15th, 2014 08:00
Two GPU's from Dell will probably cost you a fortune, try ebay of google - As long as you pay will paypal it doesn't matter where they come from.
2 x Dell/Alienware 2GB AMD6950 - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-Dell-AMD-Radeon-6950-2GB-/221636108246?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item339a8a9fd6
1 x Dell/Alienware 3GB AMD7950 - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DELL-AMD-Radeon-HD7950-AMD-Radeon-3GB-HD-7950-HD-DVI-HDMI-PCI-E-x16-58NCW-/161385008390?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item25934bcd06 (I have purchased from these guys before, they are good)
1 x Dell/Alienware 3GB AMD7950 - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AMD-Radeon-HD-7950-Graphics-PCI-Express-3-0-x16-HDMI-Dual-DVI-Dell-58NCW-/271706439695?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item3f42f7400f
mgratton
10 Posts
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December 15th, 2014 08:00
I did buy online on eBay. Got two 6950 and within 2 weeks both crash. 800$ out the window.
AndrewSi
901 Posts
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December 15th, 2014 09:00
Two weeks is inside the 90 day period you can make a paypal claim, why not do that and get you cash back?
Tesla1856
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December 15th, 2014 11:00
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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December 15th, 2014 11:00
I think Aurora R3 is EFI ... so not truly UEFI and not Legacy BIOS either. Save yourself a lot of problems and get a video-card with Dual-Bios like newer MSI ones.
http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/p/19606368/20696201#20696201
mgratton
10 Posts
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December 15th, 2014 13:00
The sad part is Dell putting limits on the bios. Granted my computer is 6 years old but could have gotten a GPU upgrade and continue enjoying high graphic setting on newer games. Sadly today confined to low setting until I get new computer. Bahumbug to M Dell.
al12469
2 Posts
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April 1st, 2015 18:00
Are these still applicable today?