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crescojeff
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August 29th, 2017 08:00
How can I determine graphics card compatibility with Aurora R3?
I have an Alienware Aurora R3 from 2010 which is currently using 2x GTX 460 graphics cards in an SLI rig. One of the cards has failed, unfortunately, and a single 460 with 1GB vRAM is insufficient for modern gaming, so I'm looking to replace the two GTX 460s with a single new card.
I'm looking specifically at the GTX 750 Ti with 4GB vRAM [amazon product link] or the GTX 1050 Ti SSC with 4GB vRAM [amazon product link] (although the factory overclocking in the linked 1050 Ti makes me a little nervous).
My questions:
1. What's the most reliable way to check that a given graphics card will be compatible with my Aurora R3 (in particular, the MoBo and the PSU)?
2. Will either/both of the cards linked above work?
3. Is a single newer gen graphics card likely to out-perform two GTX 460s? If not, would I be better off trying to replace the faulty 460 and have my full SLI rig up and running again instead of buying a newer card?
4. Would my SLI bridge support two newer graphics cards, or is SLI specific to a given card?
Key System Specs:
Model: Aurora R3
Manufacture Date: 2010
Graphics Card(s): 2x GTX 460, each w/ 1GB vRAM, in SLI
PSU wattage: 875
MoBo: Alienware 046MHW version A00
BIOS: version A05 from 02/11/2011
System RAM: 4GB
(full lshw output and Dell Support's components based on service tag CSV attached)
12831
0
Posted August 29th, 2017 13:00
Excellent, thanks! Out of curiosity, what makes the GTX1080Ti different such that it would have to be a single-card installation on my desktop?
12831
0
Posted August 29th, 2017 14:00
This is related to a power limitation. I double checked with engineering and looks like your PSU (875W) will be able to handle it, but again, this is not officially validated.
12861
1
Posted August 29th, 2017 16:00
a.I have an Alienware Aurora R3 from 2010 which is currently using 2x GTX 460 graphics cards in an SLI rig.
b. I'm looking specifically at the GTX 750 Ti with 4GB vRAM [amazon product link] or the GTX 1050 Ti SSC with 4GB vRAM [amazon product link] (although the factory overclocking in the linked 1050 Ti makes me a little nervous).
My questions:
1. What's the most reliable way to check that a given graphics card will be compatible with my Aurora R3 (in particular, the MoBo and the PSU)?
2. Will either/both of the cards linked above work?
3. Is a single newer gen graphics card likely to out-perform two GTX 460s? If not, would I be better off trying to replace the faulty 460 and have my full SLI rig up and running again instead of buying a newer card?
4. Would my SLI bridge support two newer graphics cards, or is SLI specific to a given card?a. Sounds like maybe an Aurora-R1. What Intel processor is installed?
Note warnings posted here:
Help me upgrade GPU in my 5 year old Aurora R3
Buy from somewhere you can return it. The Aurora-R3 can get very temperamental with upgrades or in general ( lucky you have a working one).
b. I suggest a GTX-10x0 card. Can you afford a 1060 or 1070? I got a MSI Gaming-X (factory-OC possible) but I run it at stock-clocks.
1. Try it. Return it if it doesn't work.
2. 1050 or 1060 would be better
3. There are websites that compare "horse-power" of cards. You want a single card (and it's ok if it takes-up 2 slots itself). No SLI is needed (skip those headaches)
4. I think 1070 is smallest card that supports SLI. SLI bridge is different (better) now. But as posted above, you DO NOT want SLI. Get ONE nice card. Get a 1080 or 1080ti if budget allows (but that's a lot of money to invest into an old machine that can break down at any moment).
Dell Rockstar
Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
- Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
- I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
- Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
- Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
- Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.12861
0
Posted August 29th, 2017 20:00
CPU is Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600K CPU @ 3.40GHz. The model definitely says Aurora R3 in BIOS and OS system info.
12861
0
Posted August 29th, 2017 21:00
Ok, right ... Aurora-R3. No problem. Everything I posted still applies.
So, what is your budget and what are you liking?
Dell Rockstar
Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
- Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
- I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
- Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
- Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
- Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.10002
0
Posted August 30th, 2017 07:00
The 1050TI 4gig card is Great for most systems.
Hellblade Senua's Sacrifice GTX 1050 Ti vs. GTX 1060 vs. GTX 1070 vs. GTX 1080 - YouTube
GTX1050 or 1050TI and GTX1060 DO NOT SUPPORT SLI so they would not be DUAL.
You need 1070 or 1080 or TITAN X for SLI (DUAL) TITAN X would need at least 1100W power supply as the TDP is 225W or more PER CARD.
Amazon.com: MSI GTX 1060 6G OCV1 Graphic Cards: Computers & Accessories $280
12861
0
Posted August 31st, 2017 15:00
My budget for this upgrade is less than $200... this is an old rig, and I'm probably going to need a new one in the next few years anyway. I don't want to spend a fortune on an upgrade component, but I also don't want to buy something that's already totally obsolete. I decided to go with the GTX 1050 Ti from Newegg [GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1050 Ti DirectX 12 GV-N105TG1 GAMING-4GD 4GB 128-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 ATX Video Card - New… ] because it offers 4GB vRAM in accordance with nvidia's reference design, has two fans, multiple HDMI outputs, and a nice backplate. I'll update with my experience after it arrives and I give it a whirl.
10002
0
Posted September 1st, 2017 03:00
I have the aforementioned Zotac unit and its fine for all of my games whether using MAC OS Sierra or Windows 10.
All games Running 1900 x 1080
This card is as good as the GTX 680 classified card it replaced and its about 8 to 30 percent faster with less than half the power use.
5909
0
Posted September 7th, 2017 11:00
DVI should work. I wonder which port is #1 or Primary?
Try the other PCIe power-cable (directly to card).
Were you switching to the proper Input port-type at the monitor itself?
Does computer appear to be booting (even with no video). Meaning HDD light is flashing, etc.?
Dell Rockstar
Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
- Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
- I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
- Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
- Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
- Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.
Eimy_B
6 Operator
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4365 Posts
12883
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Posted August 29th, 2017 13:00
Hi crescojeff,
These are the validated cards for your model:
nVIDIA® Geforce™ GTS450
nVIDIA® Geforce™ GTX460
nVIDIA® Geforce™ GTX580
nVIDIA® Geforce™ GTX590
AMD® Radeon™ HD6950
AMD® Radeon™ HD6870
Unofficially, newer cards should work but we can not confirm a 100% functionality. For example: GTX 750Ti (dual), GTX1050 (dual), GTX1060 (dual), GTX1070 (dual), GTX1080Ti (single) and it is always better to buy the reference card (unmodified).
And yes, a single newer gen graphics card will out-perform two GTX 460s. But anyway the SLI should work fine on every other card except the GTX1080Ti.
Just remember that the length on the video card should be equal or less than 10,5''.