XPS 8300, CPU upgrade, 2018

This system will take only CPUs from the second generation Core line - current in 2011.  There isn't much upgrade- there's an unlocked 2600K CPU, but that's it.

Looks good. The only thing I would add is bootable SSD as C: for Windows, all apps, and primary games. Install on low-number port. Whole machine will be much snappier.

I'm mostly running Kodi, but also arcade-ish and driving games (with DS-4 controller) works real nice (like Asphalt and Burnout Paradise). Looks nice on HDTV.

https://www.dell.com/community/Vostro-Desktops/Vostro-460-XPS-8300-Upgrade-Adventures/m-p/6055730/highlight/true#M1225

No Fallout-4 on box though :Smile: I've never played without a mouse and KB.

The SSD is a good idea per Tesla's rec.  Makes a huge difference overall.  It would also help with the gaming in terms of load time between cut scenes, travel, etc. 

Since you are gaming at 1080P/2K, you should have no issues with your current setup.

Did install a GTX 1070 in a XPS 8300 for one of the kids a little while back.    At 1080P the i7 2600 CPU does not bottleneck the GTX 1070 from reports I have received.   There is a intake fan at the lower front of that case that was installed to help with overall airflow.  I also had a spare Asetek 545LC CPU liquid cooler around so installed that as well.  I would think the front intake fan is a good idea, the CPU cooler only if you are having temperature issues as the CPU sends data to the GTX 970.  At 1080P, you should be fine I would think.

https://www.dell.com/community/XPS-Desktops/XPS-8300-GTX-1070-GPU-Upgrade/m-p/6099588

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@HanoverB wrote:

 

Did install a GTX 1070 in a XPS 8300 for one of the kids a little while back.    At 1080P the i7 2600 CPU does not bottleneck the GTX 1070 from reports I have received.   

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Nice. Not sure how yo got it to fit. Maybe it was a mini-version-card or you removed the drive-cage?

Even a lesser Intel i7-930 is not bottlenecking GTX-1070 (PCIe x16-v2.0 slot) on this rig.

@Now this one I DO run Fallout-4 on ... with Ultra settings @ 1080p. Good FPS. Nothing but fun times in the wasteland. :Smile:

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-General-Read-Only/Recommended-NVIDIA-graphics-cards-for-Alienware-Aurora-R1-2009/td-p/5590861

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@Tesla1856 wrote:

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@HanoverB wrote:

 

Did install a GTX 1070 in a XPS 8300 for one of the kids a little while back.    At 1080P the i7 2600 CPU does not bottleneck the GTX 1070 from reports I have received.   

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Nice. Not sure how yo got it to fit. Maybe it was a mini-version-card or you removed the drive-cage?

Even a lesser Intel i7-930 is not bottlenecking GTX-1070 (PCIe x16-v2.0 slot) on this rig.

@Now this one I DO run Fallout-4 on ... with Ultra settings @ 1080p. Good FPS. Nothing but fun times in the wasteland. :Smile:

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-General-Read-Only/Recommended-NVIDIA-graphics-cards-for-Alienware-Aurora-R1-2009/td-p/5590861

 

 

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Wow!  It’s nice to see that those earlier i7’s still have some life left in them.  Glad the Dell BIOS allowed you to use the new GPU.  I see from the pictures of your R1 that there is nice airflow in that case and the CPU is liquid cooled!!  I should move up to Alienware instead of having to fuss with each new version of the XPS line.

In regards to the GTX 1070 Founders GPU in the XPS 8300, a 10.5” card will actually fit into the XPS 8300/8500/8700/8900 without removing the drive cage.   It will work as long as the card isn’t too high (including the power connectors) to physically fit under the side chassis.   It is  sometimes easier to R&R the drive cage to connect power.   However, I did still remove the drive cage in the XPS 8300 to put in an intake fan.

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@HanoverB wrote:

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@Tesla1856 wrote:

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@HanoverB wrote:

 

Did install a GTX 1070 in a XPS 8300 for one of the kids a little while back.    At 1080P the i7 2600 CPU does not bottleneck the GTX 1070 from reports I have received.   

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Nice. Not sure how yo got it to fit. Maybe it was a mini-version-card or you removed the drive-cage?

Even a lesser Intel i7-930 is not bottlenecking GTX-1070 (PCIe x16-v2.0 slot) on this rig.

@Now this one I DO run Fallout-4 on ... with Ultra settings @ 1080p. Good FPS. Nothing but fun times in the wasteland. :Smile:

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-General-Read-Only/Recommended-NVIDIA-graphics-cards-for-Alienware-Aurora-R1-2009/td-p/5590861

 

 

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1.  Glad the Dell BIOS allowed you to use the new GPU. 

2. I see from the pictures of your R1 that there is nice airflow in that case and the CPU is liquid cooled!!  I should move up to Alienware instead of having to fuss with each new version of the XPS line.

3. In regards to the GTX 1070 Founders GPU in the XPS 8300, a 10.5” card will actually fit into the XPS 8300/8500/8700/8900 without removing the drive cage.   It will work as long as the card isn’t too high (including the power connectors) to physically fit under the side chassis.   It is  sometimes easier to R&R the drive cage to connect power.   However, I did still remove the drive cage in the XPS 8300 to put in an intake fan.

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1. Yeah, I was too. But remember, Aurora-R1 is Legacy BIOS (non UEFI).

2. Right, Aurora R1-R4 are built like large heavy black tanks. :Smile: I love it. Probably over 1.5 times bigger than Aurora R5-R7.

3. Interesting and good to know. I have the (working) spare AMD-5870 that I pulled out of the Aurora-R1. It looked like drive cage would have to be removed to install it comfortably in XPS-8300.