• The site migration is complete! Hopefully everything transferred properly from the multiple decades old software we were using before. If you notice any issues please let me know, thanks! Also, I'm still working on things like chatbox, etc so hopefully those will be working in the next week or two.

Upgrading graphics card?

Hippo Machine

Hippo Machine

Because Wet Leaves
I'm looking to upgrade my gfx card on my Dell Studio XPS 8100. I was wondering if I would be able to upgrade to a 550w power supply, with no problems, and what one you recommend (need good price). I would also like to know if the GeForce GTX 550 Ti would be compatible on my computer (fitment etc.).

Here is my current setup:

Dell Studio XPS 8100
Windows 7
Intel Core i5 CPU @ 3.3GHz
350w Power Supply
8GB RAM
GeForce 310 (1/2GB video ram)
DirectX 11


Please help, I want to have HD and high quality games now and in the future!
 


You need to know what your motherboard is compatable with.

Dell likes to make everything use their own "proprietary" connectors.

Now IMO, to max out every game available you'd want a GTX 580 or one of the new AMD cards that are supposed to come out soon.

Want to be able to play most games well? 560 Ti or a 6950.
 
What Matt said, you should be able to pickup a new PSU and throw it in. But Dell likes to be retarded sometimes. Corsair makes good PSUs.
 
any good graphics card will need more then a 350 watt powersupply, powersupply probably wont have the right connections either.
 


Well if you can't max out the game, then its not high quality.

A 580 probably wont be able to max out games past a year from now.

A 550 Ti is worse than a 460.

I've run a stock 460, its okay. Overclocked the crap out of it, much better.

Now I'm running two. Finally able to run games maxed out and float between 50 and 60 FPS at 1920x1080.

So really the resolution you desire determines how much power you need.
 
My current display mode is only 1600x900, if i get a 460 what would be a reasonable rez?

My current gpu G3D rating is 274, so upgrading to the GTX 460 would be a huge gain at 2369 G3D
 


OCZ power supplies are crap don't get one. I had one randomly shut off on me once a month then it got to once a week. Buy that one Negative linked. Personally I would go no lower than a 600watt. I replaced it with a corsair similar to this one. Don't skimp on the PSU. $89.00 is a good price. Spend the extra 10 dollars to know you are getting a quality product.

Newegg.com - CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
 
I bought a new OCZ StealthXStream from a friend for cheap, it died in a month. I've had to send it off twice, and each time they just sent me a new refurb. Finally I *****ed enough and got a new one that still runs good. No issues, but the issues prior are not worth it. Stick with a Corsair and you should be good. And you don't want to skimp on a PSU like Ryan said, thats when you can start ****ing **** up.
 


msi twin frozr 460 768mb works great on sub 1080p resolutions.

im running it @ 1400x900 and get high on multi bf3 with AA and some options on ultra.
skyrim maxed out w/ some better texture mods and doesn't drop under 40 fps in bad spots.
yes, its overclocked about ~15%. card cost me 100 bucks.
 
Odi said:
msi twin frozr 460 768mb works great on sub 1080p resolutions.

im running it @ 1400x900 and get high on multi bf3 with AA and some options on ultra.
skyrim maxed out w/ some better texture mods and doesn't drop under 40 fps in bad spots.
yes, its overclocked about ~15%. card cost me 100 bucks.
Click to expand...

Those things love overclocks.

I'm just disappointed I couldnt' run 1 GHz with stability.

Also it seems everyone used to love OCZ around the time of DDR and DDR2.

DDR3 rolls along and everyone jumps the ship and headed to corsair.

Now OCZ products are actually difficult to find locally and all they stock is corsair.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top