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New XPS 8300 - I'm looking to make a couple of additions...
I recently purchased the XPS 8300 with the following specs:
- XPS 8300 Intel Core i7-2600 processor(8MB Cache, 3.4GHz)
- 8GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 4x2GB
- AMD Radeon HD 6670 1GB DDR5
- 500GB Serial ATA 2 Hard Drive 7200 RPM
- Add 2 USB 3.0 ports
- No Dial Up Modem Requested for Dell Dimension
- 16x DVDRW Drive
- THX TruStudio PC
- Dell 1501 WLAN PCIe card
- Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
Beyond upgrading to 16gb of DDR3 SDRAM (4x4gb), I would like to make a few additions, and I know the machine comes with the following internal ports:
- PCIe x16 (1)
- PCIe x1 (3)
- SATA 2 (2)
- SATA 3 (2)
- Mini-PCIe (1)
- Internal USB 2.0 (6)
I'm wondering which of these ports are still open. I know the PCIe x16 is taken by the video card, and at least 2 of the SATA ports are taken by the HD and DVD drive, but I'm not sure what else.
I would like to add a Blu-Ray burner w/ 3D BR player, a 2nd internal HD (maybe a SSD I can load windows on), and possibly more USB 3.0 ports (can I upgrade my 2.0 ports to 3.0 ports, or is that what the internal 2.0 ports are for?).
Any help would be appreciated.
| XPS 8300 Intel Core i7-2600 processor(8MB Cache, 3.4GHz) | |||
| 1 | 317-5786 | 8GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 4x2GB | |
| 1 | 331-0659 | Dell Consumer Multimedia Keyboard | |
| 1 | 320-7810 | No Monitor | |
| 1 | 320-2983 | AMD Radeon HD 6670 1GB DDR5 | |
| 1 | 342-2172 | 500GB Serial ATA 2 Hard Drive 7200 RPM | |
| 1 | 318-0455 | Windows Live Wave 4 | |
| 1 | 330-6097 | You have chosen a Windows 7 System | |
| 1 | 331-1418 | Dell Resource DVD with Application Backup | |
| 1 | 420-6436 | PC-Restore, Dim/Insp | |
| 1 | 420-6576 | DELL WELCOME,Software Dimension/Inspiron | |
| 1 | 420-9691 | DataSafe Local BackUp | |
| 1 | 420-9841 | Cozi-Calendar | |
| 1 | 421-0756 | SKYPE VOIP Software Application | |
| 1 | 421-3645 | Basic Stage | |
| 1 | 421-4652 | Dell Support Center 3 | |
| 1 | 421-5693 | Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit, English, No Media | |
| 1 | 421-5577 | E-Reader, BLIO, Stage | |
| 1 | 421-6194 | SyncUP powered by Nero/keep your files up-to-date across you r PCs, mobile devices, and cloud storage account | |
| 1 | 421-5953 | E-Magazines | |
| 1 | 421-4047 | Dell Digital Delivery Client | |
| 1 | 421-2087 | eBay Webslice | |
| 1 | 330-1158 | Dell USB 6-Button Laser Mouse | |
| 1 | 330-9084 | Add 2 USB 3.0 ports | |
| 1 | 313-3607 | No Dial Up Modem Requested for Dell Dimension | |
| 1 | 410-0547 | Adobe Acrobat Reader | |
| 1 | 318-0282 | 16x DVDRW Drive | |
| 1 | 421-4542 | Roxio Creator Starter,No Media | |
| 1 | 421-9898 | THX TruStudio PC | |
| 1 | 313-6138 | No Speaker Requested | |
| 1 | 430-3922 | Dell 1501 WLAN PCIe card |
Philip_Yip
7 Technologist
7 Technologist
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16K Posts
1
November 18th, 2011 16:00
The PCI x16 and also one of the PCI x1 slots are covered by the graphics card. As you have the optional USB 3.0 card, then another PCI x1 port is taken. This leave you with only one PCI x1 port free which can be used for a PCI x1 card such as a PCI x1 soundcard (such as the Creative Xi-Fi Soundblaster/Xi-Fi Titanium Soundblaster). You can of course instead put in a second PCI x1 USB 3.0 card but may need to power it using the correct cables. I would personally recommend the soundcard.
Now the CD/DVD drive and hard drive take 1 SATA port each which leaves you space for 1 hard drive and (1 other DVD drive or BluRay drive). You can technically have 2 hard drives but one will not have a slot to be firmly screwed down. You will need these screws here to secure the second hard drive. For a solid state hard drive you may a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter bracket. For RAM and Solid State HDDs scan your system with Crucial for best results.
Zavenoa
10 Posts
0
November 18th, 2011 15:00
By upgrade I meant I was going to replace them, or can I just add more by getting a PCIeX1 card like you mentioned?
fireberd
9 Legend
9 Legend
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33.3K Posts
0
November 18th, 2011 15:00
A comment on the USB ports. You can't "upgrade" USB ports. If you want 3.0 or more 3.0 ports you will have to add a PCIeX1 USB 3.0 port card.
Philip_Yip
7 Technologist
7 Technologist
•
16K Posts
0
November 18th, 2011 16:00
Yes it is for the wifi card but you have the 1501 card in.
You have an integrated soundcard; I found it awful in my XPS 8300 and hence upgraded to the Creative ones. However if you are happy with your sound then you do not need to upgrade.
Zavenoa
10 Posts
0
November 18th, 2011 16:00
Also, what is the Mini-PCIe port for, the wifi card?
Zavenoa
10 Posts
0
November 18th, 2011 16:00
Thanks for the help. Do I need a soundcard, or do I already have one? The PC came standard with Dell's version of the THX TruStudio, which is a soundcard right?