New GPU for my Alienware Aurora.

Question

I have been looking for a GPU to refit my Aurora with but I don't know if it can work in my system. I will provide simple information about system and the product I am looking at currently, if you need more information about my computer don't be afraid to ask. Thank you in advance!

System Specs:

BIOS: A04

Current GPU: Dual NVIDIA GeForce GTS 240

Chipset: Intel

Product I was looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500255

DELL-Manshu S · Answer

Hi Erik, Welcome to the Dell Community. Dell Alienware Aurora is PCI Express 2.0 compatible so the graphics card mentioned by you should work properly. Thanks & RegardsManshu S#iworkfordell

DaDAWG1 · Answer

What are you looking for from your GPU? Gaminig perfromance or video watching and i-net surfing. The card you posted is very low/entry level. Do you know what size PSU (power supply unit) you have?

speedstep · Answer

GEFORCE 630 is a terrible card.  You would be much happier with a Single Geforce 560 TI

Erik Polsean · Answer

Also I am wanting the card to be cheap and I do want dual cards because of the amount of ports they offer so I plan on getting 2 of 1 product or one equal to it so hopefully that will also help with understanding what I am looking for.

Erik Polsean · Answer

I want a good Gaming Performance from my card but I want to also using editing software, game and video/photo.  I would have to check my PSU when I get home otherwise I don't know off the top of my head, was looking for that late last night.  I will get that when I get home in a few hours.

Tesla1856 · Answer

Also I am wanting the card to be cheap and I do want dual cards because of the amount of ports they offer so I plan on getting 2 of 1 product or one equal to it so hopefully that will also help with understanding what I am looking for.

Due to limited space and cooling, you should be looking for a single-card solution. Plus you skip the hassles of SLI or CrossFireX. Most AMD cards will let you run at least 3 monitors (DVI, DVI, DisplayPort).

I don't do nVidia these days, but even I know that nVidia 630 is a very low-end card (not good for gaming). You want to game right? What is your budget? Find that PowerSupply size before selecting.

See:

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/

or other hardware sites like www.TomsHardware.com ... www.AnandTech.com

Erik Polsean · Answer

SpeedStep, Can you explain why the 630 is terrible and why I should get the 560 TI?

DaDAWG1 · Answer

Tesla Said 'Due to limited space and cooling, you should be looking for a single-card solution.' Agree 100%. More than likely you have at least a 525 watt PSU which you can work with to get what you want. I have always been an Nvidia fan and think at least you should try the 560Ti or the GTX 660. Both would be great for gaming and will work the 525 PSU. video editing is not my area and maybe Tesla could suggest some ATI cards. The two cards recommended offer faster memory and processing allowing you to enjoy the games. Cost will be a factor with both cards at around $200 give or take.

Erik Polsean · Answer

Okay I have look around and I think I have found 2 that I like of the 560 Ti and GTX 660, still trying to find my PSU at the moment so I will get back to you on that the 560 Ti I found is a PCI Express 2.0 and from Manshu's post that should work but the GTX 660 is a 3.0 so I am not so sure, if you guys could help me with which of these two are better then that would be great.

GeForce GTX 560 Ti:

www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx

GeForce GTX 660:

www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx

Thanks for all the help so far!

Erik Polsean · Answer

Okay just found my PSU I believe, it is a 525W PSU if that sounds right, if not please correct me. Thank you!

Tesla1856 · Answer

Tesla could suggest some ATI cards.

Pick whatever XFX card you can afford (6770, 6870, 7870, etc.) and that the power supply will handle. They got some good deals at Newegg right now.

The lowest I've tried lately was a XFX-AMD 6770 with a nice Corsair 650w PS. Overkill I know but I like it when the PS runs cooler and less maxed out (even while gaming). I know you can scrape by with less, but I just don't have any experience doing so.

To bad you don't have the optional 875w PS ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chI3xefcO14

Erik Polsean · Answer

So Tesla if I were to get an upgrade on my PSU, I was already thinking about it, for a cheap but good set up what do you recommend? PSU and GPU together

Tesla1856 · Answer

So Tesla if I were to get an upgrade on my PSU, I was already thinking about it, for a cheap but good set up what do you recommend? PSU and GPU together

Unless you are really good inside computer, I recommend you get the upgraded Alienware 875w PS from Dell spare parts. They are around $200. I would do this either way (AMD or nVidia). You could then be choosing between nVidia 670 and XFX-AMD 7950.

Then you have to decide if you want nVidia or AMD ... and how much you want to spend. We can't help you on that part. Let us know.

You also never mentioned if you are going to game on it or what exactly did you?

Erik Polsean · Answer

hmmm Having a bit of trouble finding a PSU, still looking but I have noticed will it matter what the PSU came out of?  I see some ALXs and some Aurora R2s and like one or two R3s.  I am not quite sure which I have I believe I have a R3 but I could be wrong so again help would be nice, I will check out the two GPUs and decide on which best suits me while I wait for a response.  Thanks again.

Erik Polsean · Answer

My plans must have got lost in the stack, I plan on doing heavy gaming but I always want it to be able to do editting, game and video/photo.  Thanks for all the help I am going to start seeing if I can dig up the PSU and pick the GPU I want, I will tell you guys when I have found the stuff I am looking for.

Locked Topics – Alienware General

New GPU for my Alienware Aurora.

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