The easiest way to do it ... is to wait until you actually have the machine, see what slots are in-use or blocked, and then start buying parts.
You didn't say what model of ATI video cards you are getting, but most modern (fast) ones are dual slot. Video cards can only be installed in the x16 slots. If you run 2 CrossFire in an Aurora, you have no more slots available (the other two 1x slots would be blocked). A single newer card like a 5870 or 5970 is easily faster than most any Crossfire setup and only takes one half of the slots.
My Aurora's 1gb 7200rpm is a Western Digital. However, there are several different WD drives with those specs (blue/black, etc). To exactly match, to will need to wait to read the exact model model number.
The Aurora X58 has on-board Intel chipset RAID (ich10r).
Thanks for the advice. The machine has two 5670 cards, but I will likely upgrade to 57xx or 58xx before long. Like you said, visual confirmation is the most telling, but where do you suppose they would have put the wireless card if the 1x slots are blocked? It will be interesting to find out in a couple days.
Also, thanks for info on the RAID controller. I have been a Dell customer for several years and have owned 4 different machines. As much as I have always enjoyed quality computers and awesome tech support, they have never really provided good online manuals.
Looks like XFX makes a single slot 5670 ... so it is possible.
The BlueTooth module has a special internal USB connector. I've never seen a 1525 card in real life but the pic shows it as a real PCIe 1x card. Plus, the sales config throws an error with dual 5870's installed (same as with a PCIe X-Fi card).
Get the Service Manual, in addition to the Operators manual.
I think I figured it out. The M206 (1GB ATI 5670) cards are not as deep as I thought. They only take up one slot each leaving the PCI 1x slots open. That is how they get 2 videod cards, a soundblaster card, and a WIFI card in there.
This now gets unrelated, but can anyone tell me the quality of the on-board sound? To upgrade to 5770 or 5880 dual setup I will have to pull out the sound card.
Build sheet per Dell:
1
G810M
BASE,DEIMOS,ANW-DT,AURORA
1
2J4FR
Module,Software,Certificate Of Authenticity,W7HP64,Alienware
1
45XY6
Module,Label,Intel,Desktop CI7,Rebranding
1
5V1HN
Module,Keyboard,United States,KG100,T1
1
65KF8
Module,Card,Network,DW1525,Alienware,Full Height,Rest Of World
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
July 9th, 2010 18:00
The easiest way to do it ... is to wait until you actually have the machine, see what slots are in-use or blocked, and then start buying parts.
You didn't say what model of ATI video cards you are getting, but most modern (fast) ones are dual slot. Video cards can only be installed in the x16 slots. If you run 2 CrossFire in an Aurora, you have no more slots available (the other two 1x slots would be blocked). A single newer card like a 5870 or 5970 is easily faster than most any Crossfire setup and only takes one half of the slots.
My Aurora's 1gb 7200rpm is a Western Digital. However, there are several different WD drives with those specs (blue/black, etc). To exactly match, to will need to wait to read the exact model model number.
The Aurora X58 has on-board Intel chipset RAID (ich10r).
Welcome to the club ... I like mine.
spaceengineer
1 Rookie
•
118 Posts
0
July 9th, 2010 21:00
Tesla,
Thanks for the advice. The machine has two 5670 cards, but I will likely upgrade to 57xx or 58xx before long. Like you said, visual confirmation is the most telling, but where do you suppose they would have put the wireless card if the 1x slots are blocked? It will be interesting to find out in a couple days.
Also, thanks for info on the RAID controller. I have been a Dell customer for several years and have owned 4 different machines. As much as I have always enjoyed quality computers and awesome tech support, they have never really provided good online manuals.
Anyway, thanks again.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
July 10th, 2010 00:00
Looks like XFX makes a single slot 5670 ... so it is possible.
The BlueTooth module has a special internal USB connector. I've never seen a 1525 card in real life but the pic shows it as a real PCIe 1x card. Plus, the sales config throws an error with dual 5870's installed (same as with a PCIe X-Fi card).
Get the Service Manual, in addition to the Operators manual.
Chiller3333
62 Posts
0
July 10th, 2010 10:00
A RAID Controller is On-Board.
Yes, a dual slot graphicscard will block the following PCI-E x1 Slot.
spaceengineer
1 Rookie
•
118 Posts
0
July 10th, 2010 23:00
So, I wonder how it could possibly have another PCI Card for wireless? Guess we will know on Monday, at least that is what FEDEX says!
I will post what I find.
spaceengineer
1 Rookie
•
118 Posts
0
July 10th, 2010 23:00
I think I figured it out. The M206 (1GB ATI 5670) cards are not as deep as I thought. They only take up one slot each leaving the PCI 1x slots open. That is how they get 2 videod cards, a soundblaster card, and a WIFI card in there.
This now gets unrelated, but can anyone tell me the quality of the on-board sound? To upgrade to 5770 or 5880 dual setup I will have to pull out the sound card.
Build sheet per Dell:
spaceengineer
1 Rookie
•
118 Posts
0
July 13th, 2010 12:00
Follow-up. My assumption was correct, the cards are only one slot thick so they do not block the 1x slots.
Thanks.
DELL-Chris M
Community Manager
•
56.9K Posts
0
July 13th, 2010 13:00
Thanks for the update.