XPS 8500, video card, power supply, upgrades

Can anyone conform that the PNY Technologies 2 GB - GDDR5 Graphics card – XLR8 GeForce GTX 770 - Enthusiast
Edition works with the xps 8500

I'm assuming you're referring to my post, Friend of Sonic, correct?  If you were wondering the exact model I picked up (if you wanted to be extra careful), it's the N760 TF 2GD5/OC.  As for the driver issues (if you were curious about that, as you're likely to have the same issues), they're going to be fixed in the updated drivers released near the end of the month.

Remember though, I did upgrade the power supply.  The one that comes with our computers won't work, as it doesn't have the required connectors (and IMO, you'd also be cutting it a bit close on the 12v rails, but that's your decision really).  Good luck with the card, and I'm sorry it took me a bit to respond.

Oh, don't be sorry! I'm glad you got back to me. That is indeed the one I ordered, so I should be good to go. I also have a Seasonic 650w, and I'm guessing (and hoping) it has the proper connectors. I believe it does if you refer to the requirement for the additional two pin connector.

That issue that you described, does that affect more than just XPS 8500 users? If so, I have more faith in that patch working at the end of the month. Nice to know that's been diagnosed and could leave us with a perfectly working card. I really wish we knew more 7950's that worked, but I'll take the 760. The MSI 760 looks like a fantastic unit-- I heard the EVGA is slightly faster (and even confirmed to work with XPS 8500) but a little more noiser and a little more hotter. Rather have a better cooling system myself.

I don't know why the EVGA GTX 760 (I own one) would run hotter or be noisier than the MSI - the EVGA ACX models are touted as running cool. The problem you'll have with the MSI N760 is its length at over 10". That's an extremely tight fit and gives you less room for airflow. To get the EVGA card in (about 9"), I had to buy a longer serial ATA cable and move my hard drive to the lower slot.

Also, MSI doesn't list power requirements like EVGA does. I like how EVGA tells you the minimum power supply wattage and 12V rail amperage requirements.

On another note, unfortunately the XPS 8500 case doesn't cool very well with just one case fan, I'm going to try a higher RPM fan to assist.

 Well I had a long drawn out answer all written up when the power went out... T.T  Anywho, I'll keep it simple instead of grabbing up everything I lost.

 MSI does indeed run slightly cooler (60c vs 65c), and is quieter (38dbA vs 40dbA) according to Guru3D, but I don't think it's due to the coolers.  The EVGA runs around 50 MHz faster at stock/boost, which if I had to guess, is where the difference is coming from.  They're both touted as running cool, as you said, but they're both being compared to stock coolers, not each other.  Stock runs around 77c, so both are a huge improvement there.  I had more numbers that went with this, and it was worded much more eloquently, but after losing about 3 paragraphs, that will have to suffice.  Both are great cards, both cool well, both run well, both are quiet.  Be happy with either of em, really.

LowVoltage is 100% correct though, the 8500 case has pretty bad cooling, and you'll definitely need another sata cable.  If you want to do what I did, replace the HDD sata cable with the longer DVD-ROM sata cable to avoid having to move the HDD.  If you can live without your DVD drive, you're good to go, if not, buy up a longer sata cable to replace it (as I did).  Unfortunately, the Frys near my house only had 3 meter cables in stock, so I have a massive cable in there now..  At least I didn't have to worry about it being too short though, eh? Hahaha.

Anyhow, be ready for a tight fit.  The MSI is about 3/4in longer than the EVGA, but you still have "plenty" of room to spare.  If you're used to working in cramped cases (I come from a lanbox, ezpz), you'll have it done in about 15 mins from open to close.  Enjoy your new toy :)

Hmm, maybe I don't have the same problem as you guys. I squeezed in a 10.2" Sapphire 7950 and I didn't seem to be affected by the length of the sata cable. The cables on the mobo were a little squished just because the card is so massive but otherwise it was all right, unless I'm misunderstanding the concern.

For those who want to improve their case cooling - there aren't many options. The one case fan is voltage speed-controlled and the BIOS will keep the speed down regardless of GPU temp. I've replaced it with a new fan and hooked it directly to my PSU to get more airflow with a higher RPM. Unfortunately, on boot I get a fan error report prompt because the 3-pin fan connector is open. It can't be turned off. UGH.

I'm irritated with the limited functionality of the Dell BIOS. Why not allow customers to make configuration changes, e.g. ignore fan errors, adjust case fan speed, etc?

This thread has been immensely helpful for upgrading my XPS 8500, so I'll add what I upgraded today and hope it helps someone else out.
Just tested it with BF3 on Ultra settings and the temp was running around 174-176F (79c-80c) after a few hours of play. I'm going to look into ways to keep it cooler

Graphic card manufacturer and model number:  EVGA SuperClocked w/ ACX Cooling 02G-P4-2774-KR GeForce GTX 770 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support Video Card

Bios: A10

Operating System:  Win 7 Ultimate

Power supply manufacturer if not Dell 460w PSU : SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold ((SS-650KM Active PFC F3)) 650W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply New 4th Gen CPU Certified Haswell Ready

Compatible:  Yes, it all fits and runs. As someone previously mentioned, I did have to remove the wireless cable holder attached to the case.

Original card with system that worked:  GT 620

EDIT: I had to buy a SATA cable for the DVD drive

I'm sort of curious if there will be any chance at all our systems can use the next generation of video cards. I'll be all right with my 760 for a few years but then it'll be time to upgrade most likely

I ended up going with your recommendation www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx.  I also purchased a www.amazon.com/.../ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00

to connect my 3rd monitor.  All 3 monitors are the dell ultrasharps.  Im also running the BIOS A09.  The first 2 monitors worked great but as soon as I plug in the third one of the other two goes blank.  Do I have to buy a different connection.  Do you know why this would be?  Thanks for all the help

I ended up going with your recommendation www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx.  I also purchased a www.amazon.com/.../ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00 to connect my 3rd monitor.  All 3 monitors are the dell ultrasharps.  Im also running the BIOS A09.  The first 2 monitors worked great but as soon as I plug in the third one of the other two goes blank.  Do I have to buy a different connection.  Do you know why this would be?  Thanks for all the help

Right now all 3 monitors are on mini dp to dvi.  All 3  work but only 2 at a  time.  Im pretty much a rookie at all this stuff but a lot of what you wrote is greek to me.   I believe im using the dell 1.0 drivers.  Im using just the 3 monitors side by side by side and id like to be able to drag stuff across all three screens.  I think that is productivity.  Thanks again for any help.  I just ordered an mini dp to dp for third monitor hoping that will work.

Get latest full release WHQL (not beta) drivers from VisionTek or AMD.com.

2 DVI and 1 DP might work. However, if they are all UltraSharp (you don't say what model) and they all have native DP, I would use it.

someone has already done the test (GTX 760 EVGA 02G-P4-2760-KR). If yes works perfectly on xps 8500 bios v.A10

Can anyone confirm if the R9 270X (specifically the ASUS and MSI gaming (not hawk) versions) work with the XPS 8500? Most likely I will need to replace the PSU because recommended is around 600w.

I would also be interested in the EVGA ACX GTX 760 as well. Anyone? If you can, can you recommend a good PSU to go with it as well?