Upgrading my GTX 480s in my Alienware Area 51 ALX

One of the reasons I am worried about upgrading is that the GTX480 says that it is PCI2 and the 690 says PCI3 and as such I am worried my older motherboard might not be able to handle it. This computer though was absolutely top of the line for it's time of purchase.

One of the reasons I am worried about upgrading is that the GTX480 says that it is PCI2 and the 690 says PCI3 and as such I am worried my older motherboard might not be able to handle it.

It wouldn't be a problem. As far as i know PCI3 Graphics Cards are compatible with PCI2 or PCI1.1 and without any lose in performance.(In PCI2)

I suggest you to buy 2xGTX680 or if you want more 3xGTX680 with 3-way SLI. Area-51 Mobo's support it too. 3xGTX680 would be better then 2xGTX690.

If you want more performance look this http://eu.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=02G-P4-2689-KR to make an SLI with this GTX680's

Yes, it is definitely possible but due to heat I would recommend you to get dual 680's instead. Please send us an e-mail to AlienwareUpgrades@dell.com and we will help you as much as we can with tech specs and pricing.

One of the reasons I am worried about upgrading is that the GTX480 says that it is PCI2 and the 690 says PCI3 and as such I am worried my older motherboard might not be able to handle it. This computer though was absolutely top of the line for it's time of purchase.

It's still the top of the line Alienware. I run 3 GTX 680's in mine and nothing Dell is selling ATM can do that. I also get 20,000 points in 3Dmark11, size matters

Like what was said before you can run dual 690's if you want but the issue with them is the heat. Each card will dump all the heat form one of the GPU's right into the case. While the Area 51 can handle that heat I see no reason to do it since you can run 3-way sli instead. I was also running 3 GTX 480's and as you know they are very hot cards but they dumped all the air out the back so it wasn't as bad as the 690's would be.

I too have this same inquiry. Thing is ... I don't see how this machine can handle 3-way SLI, when the two gtx480's barely fit as is and drain too much power. I have no idea how to post my specs but I have the last Alienware Area 51 ALX that Alienware made. The core I7-990X that had the optional PSU upgrade to one higher can't remember which BUT I think it was the 1.2 something. Anyway yea big black n heavy with cool flaps on top ... Not sure if I should renew my warranty if I should get one 690 or what. So yea; Currently 2-480gtx want a better upgrade no clue if this beast can handle it though.

I too have this same inquiry. Thing is ... I don't see how this machine can handle 3-way SLI, when the two gtx480's barely fit as is and drain too much power. I have no idea how to post my specs but I have the last Alienware Area 51 ALX that Alienware made. The core I7-990X that had the optional PSU upgrade to one higher can't remember which BUT I think it was the 1.2 something. Anyway yea big black n heavy with cool flaps on top ... Not sure if I should renew my warranty if I should get one 690 or what. So yea; Currently 2-480gtx want a better upgrade no clue if this beast can handle it though.