Upgrading Your Alienware

Question

Folks, there's been a recent uptick in posts about CPU and GPU upgrades here. Most likely as people are still staying at home, the need for higher FPS and overclock kicks in.

I recommend you review this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0whCHfejM18

Bottom line is: you will find it tough to buy components, especially PSUs and motherboards at MSRP. It's rough out there. Supply isn't ramping up, and you're likely to be competing against people from r/buildapc and r/pcmasterrace anyways. Good luck.

r72019 · Answer

People with more free time on their hand to thinking about upgrading/building a pc equals increased demand.  Plus the supply shortages on top of that.

GTS81 · Answer

@Anonymous :

I'm sure I will be getting my CPU * any day now *

Sure... Let's hope BLT is more than just bacon lettuce tomatoes.

BTW, I'm starting to of Orange Julius v3. Earlier today I managed to remove the top cover without touching a single thing in the case.

I'm thinking of replacing that top rad with a 360x60mm radiator lying on its side, on top of the existing cage, with push-pull RGB fans. The top panel can stay in the shipment box. I can even throw in one of this to make the rig dual loop.

https://www.performance-pcs.com/water-cooling/reservoirs/watercool-heatkiller-tube-200-d5-wc-30205.html

https://www.performance-pcs.com/water-cooling/reservoirs/singularity-computers-protium-ultimate-150-d5-reservoir-combo-acrylic-stand-alone-sc-prc-150-pa-bk.html

r72019 · Answer

First option oos.  What do you mean by radiator on its side?

GTS81 · Answer

@Anonymous , @r72019 : @r72019     What do you mean by radiator on its side? My interpretation would be 'on edge', or 'vertically, along the axis of the case', up on the roof. 'Thinking outside the box'   Exactly. Although I have nicknamed this on r/watercooling as 'illegal extension'. https://imgur.com/a/d2yiAG7 Thinking outside the box a.k.a. 'illegal extension'

GTS81 · Answer

@Anonymous :

So where does the new pump/reservoir get located? Would you be keeping all 3 rads; one for the CPU and one each for the 2 graphics cards??

you got corona'ed?

For now it'll be the simplest option:

Get rid of top radiator
Add the illegal extension
Connect the loop to illegal extension radiator

I'm only concerned that the bigger radiator will add more strain on my single pump to push such a long loop. Maybe another D5 pump in series and mounted on the illegal extension radiator?

r72019 · Answer

Well I know what on it's side means, I just didn't think you would want to lose that picture perfect setup so I thought I was missing something.

GTS81 · Answer

I know. It's more of a coping mechanism after I lost out the chance to buy a Caselabs SMA8. Apparently another guy on Reddit and I were eyeing the same big auction site listing and trading barbs on his thread on who gets that case or whether we go 909EK. In the end, someone else beat us to the punch and we're just there licking our wounds.

r72019 · Answer

Someone just posted an sma8 on ebay.

GTS81 · Answer

That guy riddled it with holes!

Alienware Desktops

Upgrading Your Alienware

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