XPS 8950, which graphics card?

Question

I'll come right out and say it: I'm not a gamer. Now and then I'll play simple games for fun, but nothing like the titles that a real gamer plays. So, as you can imagine, I don't know a whole lot about graphics cards.

I do know that I want a discrete graphics card, so as not to share resources with my system.

The XPS 8950 makes things easier for me by offering basically only two nVidia graphics cards: 16xx cards and somewhat higher end 30xx cards. I'm wondering if I should choose a 30xx card over a 16xx card.

Is there something other than gaming that taxes a graphics card? I occasionally do simple photo editing and video editing, but nothing too complicated.

Thanks for your advice.

RoHe · Answer

Did you already buy this PC?

Video viewing and editing and photo editing (eg, Photoshop) can use a lot of resources, so the more and faster the video RAM on the card, the less system resources it will hog.

FWIW: You don't have to get the video card from Dell if they sell an XPS 8950 without a video card that otherwise suits your needs. You can buy it anywhere that has a good deal and install it yourself.

Just make sure to check the minimum recommended PSU requirements for the specific "retail" card you may want, that it physically fits inside the case, and has the right combo of ports for your needs. Dell OEM video cards typically don't have same number or type of video ports, same number of fans etc that a "retail" card with same NVidia or AMD number may have.

You can compare performance of various video cards here. And performance of XPS 8950 systems with various video cards here.

JamieLinux · Answer

Just get it with the 3060 TI and spring for the K version, not because you will need the extra unlocked capabilities, but cause you can't do much with the Dell motherboard for overclocking, it will get you better cooling than the non-k version.   That is if you are really set on this system, or get the 8950 version with the closed loop cooler. As far as the GPU goes forget anything that is 10 series including the 1650  its just a budget  card that isn't good for anything.

redxps630 · Answer

If you want to edit 4k video you may need a discrete card. for small simple video editing, even my old core 2 duo desktop of 2011 can do it (not very fast). basically if the application is video data intensive (vivid color, high resolution, fast frame rate), which does not have to be gaming then you may need a card. If you want to stream a 4k movie and wish a smooth playback experience, you may need a card. for example, netflix UHD play back NVIDIA Pascal based GPU (primarily used in the GeForce 10 series) or newer, GeForce GTX 1050 or greater with minimum 3GB memory

Tesla1856 · Answer

@MastiffX wrote: I'm wondering if I should choose a 30xx card over a 16xx card. Is there something other than gaming that taxes a graphics card? I occasionally do simple photo editing and video editing, but nothing too complicated. Probably not if that is all you do. Just know that a GTX-1660 is between a GTX-1060 and GTX-1070 from 6 years ago. The GTX-1070 is still a 'capable and relevant' card, it is just not very cutting edge. The basic tech was so good it is still around in the form of the GTX-1660 and variants. You have the right idea ... getting (even a basic) discrete video card to act as a video co-processor and offload the main cpu. Gaming more-so, but video-editing also uses some gpu-power and video-memory now-days.

MastiffX · Answer

Thanks for everyone's replies.

Looks like I set off some fire alarms by mentioning 'video editing.' Sorry. The most video editing I might do is to shorten or combine video clips taken with my phone. People do that entirely on their phones, but I like a full size keyboard and monitor.

The computer I'm thinking of - the XPS 8950 - will be my fourth Dell computer, so I'm aware of the limitations of OEM equipment. I think the best way for me to go, if Dell's ordering system permits, is to get my computer without a card and add a retail card later.

BrokerRob · Answer

I got a XPS8950 and my advice is make sure you spec it so you get the higher wattage PSU, I'm not sure if you have that option if you don't choose a graphics card. I didn't really look when I did it. I had a brand new 3080 at the house waiting for this, so I just took mine with the 6700 option (since the PSU was 750W).

I came from an i7 7700 with a 2070 ROG STRIX and the most intensive things I did were photoshop and openshot. When I got the new PC I switched from my retail versions of LR5 and CS6 to the CC versions. My import times are much faster, rendering 1:1 previews is almost instant, and exporting from LR takes almost no time at all compared to what it used to. My specs were good before, but now they are even better and the time saved is totally worth it.

With that said, the 6700 specs are better than my 2070 was, so if you wanted to get something from Dell, already built, already done, I'd say a 6700 isn't a bad choice. However, I'd look on the secondary for a 3060/70/80.

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XPS 8950, which graphics card?

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