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24114
February 7th, 2013 22:00
Possible to upgrade?
Hi i currently own an alienware PC and i was wondering if i wanted to upgrade my graphic card
do i have to go out and buy a card on my own and install it myself or can i pay dell to do it for me?
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DELL-Kiran K
6 Operator
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2K Posts
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February 8th, 2013 00:00
Hi HoneyPaws,
Yes, you will have to purchase a video card and fix it on your own (Upgrade will be possible in case of desktop only). I can give suggestions depending on the model number of your Alienware. If the computer has an existing warranty except the new video card other hardware components will be covered.
Please reply with the model number.
HoneyPaws
18 Posts
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February 8th, 2013 02:00
hi how do i check my model number?
i think its
DELL-Pablo R
158 Posts
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February 8th, 2013 08:00
Hi HoneyPaws, if you give us your Alienware model we can suggest validated video card upgrades. If you need further assistance, email us your service tag and contact info to alienwareupgrades@dell.com. A tech will contact you shortly to answer your questions.
HoneyPaws
18 Posts
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February 9th, 2013 09:00
hi i have already sent an email to them but they have yet to get back to me
HoneyPaws
18 Posts
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February 10th, 2013 21:00
i see ok i have 925w i think but i was also wondering if i had to buy the card on my own and install it or can i call someone from dell and have them do it for me?
morblore
2 Intern
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2.4K Posts
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February 10th, 2013 21:00
You can use any single GPU, ATI or Nvidia, with the Aurora R3 with the 525w or 875w PSU. If you go with a dual GPU card such as the GTX 690 then you need the 875w PSU. You can even do SLI or CFX with that system so long as you have 875w PSU.
Best way to determine your PSU size is to read the label printed on the side of the PSU or check your paperwork that came with the system. You may be able to just open the side panel and read the label on the PSU. If not then you must power the system down. Unplug it from the wall and hold the power button for 30sec to drain the power. Then open the side panel and disconnect the cable harness from the PSU. Once done you can then remove the PSU from the back of the system and read the label on it.
If it was my system I would go with a single GTX 670 that is factory overclocked. Then down the road if that was not enough you would always add another one provided you do have the 875w PSU.
HoneyPaws
18 Posts
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February 10th, 2013 21:00
my alienware model is Alienware Aurora R3
morblore
2 Intern
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2.4K Posts
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February 10th, 2013 22:00
You're welcome.
Something else to think about is your GTX 590 is a dual GPU card. The equivalent 6XX card to that is the GTX 690 but they are just as expensive as your GTX 590 was. They are about $1000.00. Your card is the same as having two GTX 580's.
Your GTX 590 is a very good card. Is there a reason why you are looking to replace it? It should eat through any game you throw at it. You will need to buy a GTX 690 or two GTX 680's to beat the performance you have now. Not worth it in my opinion.
I try to always skip at least one generation when upgrading something. Wait for the 7xx cards or AMD's next line before thinking about upgrading.
morblore
2 Intern
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2.4K Posts
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February 10th, 2013 22:00
If you are using the GTX 590 and your Alienware came with that card then you must have the larger 875w PSU. In that case you can run anything so knock yourself out lol
PSU's and GPU's are rated in W=Watts not mv=Millivolts. Use wattage.
HoneyPaws
18 Posts
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February 10th, 2013 22:00
oh i see thank you. how many watts is 925mv?
thank you for the video
HoneyPaws
18 Posts
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February 10th, 2013 22:00
i see ok thank you
morblore
2 Intern
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2.4K Posts
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February 10th, 2013 22:00
There is no 925w. Did you mean 525w? If so then you can use any card on the planet in a single card configuration so long as it's not a dual GPU card such as a GTX 690.
You can install the card yourself. It is very easy to do.
Steps to Install a New GPU.
1) Buy a new GP
2) Power the system down, unplug it from the wall and then hold the power button for 30sec to drain the board.
3) Open the side panel. A static discharge can ruin something, rare but it can happen. Two ways to deal with it. Best is to buy a static wrist guard for about $5.00. Second is to touch a part of the metal on the case.
Rosewill Static Wrist Strap from Newegg. $2.99 plus free shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261001
4) Find a free PCI-e slot. In your Aurora it will be the top slot that is very long. Don't use the bottom slot with single card configurations
5) Insert the card into the slot and screw it down.
6) Find your PCI power cables and insert them into the cards power slots.
7) Close the panel.
8) Plug in monitor and then plug the system power back in.
9) Boot and let Windows install your new GPU drivers. Once it's done you will want to reboot and then go to Nvidia/ATI and download the newest drivers for your card.
10) Play some games and make sure it's working
Here is a great video of someone installing a new GTX 680 into his Aurora R3 . Watch it but be warned he did use some bad language.
[View:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iIfrRQF2kE]
HoneyPaws
18 Posts
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February 10th, 2013 22:00
actually im currently using a gtx 590 isnt that a double gpu card?
HoneyPaws
18 Posts
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February 10th, 2013 23:00
i think i may have partially fried it cause sometimes the monitor just turns off on its own when the pc is still on or it doesnt light up during start up. its not a monitor issue i have replaced it and the same thing happened
HoneyPaws
18 Posts
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February 11th, 2013 00:00
im not entirely 100% positive i want to change it cause its still running it just happens on random occasions but im just exploring my choices