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Which Aurora do I have?
Hi All,
I'm having what I think are video card issues with my Alienware Aurora. I would like to upgrade the video card, but for some reason I can't seem to figure out which Aurora model I have. I've googled, I've provided Dell Tech Support with my service tag #, I even called the 24/7 Tech Support line which was closed (Whaaat?). I simply want to correctly identify which model I have so I can get the correct video card. Is it simply "just" an Aurora or an Aurora ALX or R1 or ???
I purchased the PC direct from Dell in 02/2011
Specs:
Alienware Aurora, i7 CPU 930 @ 2.80 GHz, GTX 460 1GB, 6GB RAM DDR3
I greatly appreciate any info provided. Thnaks.
amric1
52 Posts
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June 22nd, 2014 13:00
Sounds like the original Aurora, which had no additional designation, but is often referred to here as an R1 for clarification.
You should be able to use any modern day gfx card as long as your bios is up to date - should be A11, although A9 should be ok too. If updating, do a search here for Tesla's guide to updating the bios, in order to minimize the chances of bricking your motherboard.
amric1
52 Posts
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June 22nd, 2014 13:00
Oh, and the ALX model is the one with the vents on top that open, but the hardware for both is the same, so don't worry about that.
SJoslin
4 Posts
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June 22nd, 2014 13:00
Thank you very much for answering!!
SJoslin
4 Posts
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June 22nd, 2014 14:00
I do have A11 Bios. I'm assuming I also have Pci-E 3.0...?
I'm considering a GTX 770 2GB 256-bit. Good choice??
amric1
52 Posts
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June 22nd, 2014 15:00
No. The X58 chipset is pci-e 2.0 but 3.0 is backward compatible.
Since I have a GTX 770 in my R1, I'd have to say yes.
SJoslin
4 Posts
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June 22nd, 2014 16:00
Okay, just so I understand. The Aurora R1 has an X58 Chipset which is Pci-E 2.0, but the GTX 770, which is Pci-E 3.0, will work because its backwards compatible.
I noticed you had installed the GTX 770 in your R1, that's what piqued my interest...
amric1
52 Posts
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June 22nd, 2014 17:00
Yes. Not only will it work, many tests have shown that there is little real world difference between running a 3.0 gfx card in a 2.0 slot.
Not because 3.0 isn't faster, but because 2.0 wasn't being fully utilized.