XPS 8940, GPU choices

Question

I am looking to buy a XPS 8940 and I settled on:

10th Gen Intel Core i7-10700 processor
32GB, 2x16GB, DDR4, 2933Mhz
1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
500W Black Bezel Chassis inc ODD

Now for the GPU. My options are:

GTX 1660 Ti
RTX 2060 6GB
RTX 2060 Super 8GB
Radeon RX 5600

From another post I understand that 1660 Ti is double width and renders the adjacent PCIe x4 slot unusable. Is the same true for the other three?

Noise will be important to me. Do you think it will be any significant noise/heat difference between the 4 cards, under normal use? If any of the other three cards are not double width (so PCIe x4 may be used) and are as good (or better) than GTX 1660 Ti, I would be inclined to upgrade. For my needs, quiet operation for the entire system under non-gaming use is more important than peak performance in gaming. In a previous question I had, I have been told by an user which has a similar system with the 1660 Ti that air flow is fine and "noise-level is non-existent". Will it likely be the same with any of the other three cards?

Any advice on this is much appreciated!

Vic384 · Answer

I would be concerned about the recommended minimum power for some of these graphics cards even with the optional 500-watt power supply.

Flying Elbow · Answer

Indeed, that is a consideration as well, didn't think about that! I am guessing the default GPU for the system, the 1660Ti would be fine. I would prefer a card that doesn't block the PCIeX4 slot though, provided the choice doesn't create other problems: more noise, more heat, and indeed a potentially unsuitable PSU.

Perhaps anyone has some experience with the other cards I mentioned?

Vic384 · Answer

The CPU fan is inside the heat sink (in the middle). See the wire coming out the other side.

Flying Elbow · Answer

Thank you! So if I understand correctly,  for K processors there is no CPU fan, just the heat sink indicated in 1?

RoHe · Answer

Looks like they're all dual-slot GPUs.

Flying Elbow · Answer

I see. Therefore, under similar load the K model should be quieter due to better cooling? However I don't see the K version as an option for the 8940, I guess I would have to go to 8940 SE.

Thank you!

TonyD53 · Answer

I have the 8940 with the RTX 2060 and the  PCIeX4 slot is not obscured.

Flying Elbow · Answer

Thank you! How do you find the noise levels, idle and under load, for the RTX 2060, and in general for the entire system? Do you have the K processor?

GameCrusader · Answer

I am running a RTX 2070 Super in a G5 5000 (which is basically the same computer) and I don't have any issues. I am looking at getting the RTX 3070 as the power consumption is nearly the same as the 2070 Super.

Flying Elbow · Answer

Just curious, is the GTX 2060 which appears as the option in a build of XPS 8940 the same as this one for sale on the Dell website?

https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/msi-rtx-2060-gaming-z-6g-graphics-card-gf-rtx-2060-6-gb-black-gunmetal-gray/apd/aa525903/graphic-video-cards

RoHe · Answer

@Flying Elbow - You meant RTX 2060...

Short answer: NO

Long answer:

Dell OEM RTX 2060 = 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 1x Dual Link DVI
MSI RTX 2060 = 1x HDMI, 3x DisplayPort, 0x Dual Link DVI

And there may be other differences too...

Flying Elbow · Answer

Why is Dell even offering RTX 2070 Super as an option when they max out the PSU at 500W? The standalone MSI RTX 2060 cannot be bought separately on the Canadian site, it only appears on the US one.

Interestingly, I can configure a regular 8940 with GTX 1660Ti and a 8940 SE with RTX 2060 at exactly the same price $1,899CAD (everything else being equal).

GameCrusader · Answer

There are also power supply calculator sites that can give you a good idea of what you would need to run everything efficiently. https://outervision.com/power-supply-calculator The 2070 Super is definitely pushing it, but it's doable.

GameCrusader · Answer

You will find if you build the same configuration with a G5 you will save a few bucks. I'm running the 2070 Super just fine. That said, I'm in agreement with others that I wouldn't push this PSU any further.

GameCrusader · Answer

I am running the i7-10700KF CPU.

According to the Power Supply Calculator I should be running a 514W PSU. If I was to move to a 3070 I should run a 519W. So it's right at the boarder but it should be ok.

This all said, if I was able I would switch out the PUS with a 650W, but I can't so I'll just push this one until it dies.

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XPS 8940, GPU choices

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