Alienware X51 R2 Graphics Card Upgrade HELP NEEDED

[cman]

So, I bought the Alienware X51 rather blindly and it turns out my GPU, GTX 745, is really awful. I can play games, but not great, and I really want to upgrade. Only problem is, there are limitations.
-The size of the case
-Power supply compatability and cost (will need to upgrade from 240W)
-Cost - I don't want to spend more than 300 AUD.
Can anybody give advice?
I was looking at GTX 750ti and GTX 760, but the above limitations apply and I do not want to spend a lot of money for little difference.
Thanks

[Meurock460]

Diposting pertama kali oleh LGHP3:

Diposting pertama kali oleh _I_:

the 960 is still a 120w gpu
vs 145w 970

either will need the 330w power brick

so i can't downclock any of them and run safe? cuz' i really don't want to spend 100 dollars extra cuz' im litterly 13 yrs old and doesnt have an income :3

http://en.community.dell.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/3746/6457.Untitled.png

As you can see in the image, the 240w only allows for up to 75w for the GPU. Basically the GTX 750ti is the best for the 240w brick.

The 330w brick though can support up to 150w for the GPU. GTX 960 will definitely run on that.

[cman]

Lg, don't do anything yet, I'll report back to you once my 330w power brick and 970 arrive. I too feel the pain of inconsistent income.

[Frost]

Heya Mr Tentacles! I don't mean to beat a dead horse but I'm also pursuing an upgrade. So would you mind telling me how your upgrade went?

[♦ Hythal]

If you get a gtx 960, I'd go Gigabyte GTX 960 Windforce 2gb

[cman]

Hey
Haven't done it yet but I should have it in in the next few days so I'll post my results

[bilsbols]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Mr Tentacles:

Hey
Haven't done it yet but I should have it in in the next few days so I'll post my results

LOL i have come up with my own idea... I have two other PC's that is more like office pcs' that dont have the most powerful components but they both have a 300W PSU inside them and the cases are like an usual PC and isnt so small like the X51. They are ugly, but they migth work with 970 atleast :D Though they dont have any 6 or 8 pin connectors D: But one of the PSUs have two free SATA fmale 15 pin connector. And i found some converters from SATA to 6 pin :D It might work :p

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Please be careful though; if u use a standard ATX PSU, then u should disconnect the ATX cable and extra power board within your X51

[KONO DIO DA]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Mr Tentacles:

Hey
Haven't done it yet but I should have it in in the next few days so I'll post my results

Hi, I just got same problem with you. I need to upgrade my GPU ASAP, did the 330W work with GTX 970?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

You basically must get it from Ebay.
Otherwise u would have to call the Dell/Alienware # and order one; and it will be ALOT more expensive coming directly from Dell.

Here:

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xdell+alienware+x51+330w.TRS0&_nkw=dell+alienware+x51+330w&_sacat=0

Make sure that what u buy does NOT come shipped from China. Get it from Aus, UK, or USA.

[cman]

Hello, everything worked fine with 330w but I did have to underclock it a small bit, but only because i live in a hot place and I didn't want it overheating. No shutdowns due to lack of power.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

The stock clocks should be fine, if the FPS is super high, try using V-Sync as that can help lower the GPU heat if u are running at say 100 FPS and then use V-Sync to help keep it around 60 FPS instead, it can help. Also if too hot, maybe use MSI Afterburner or similar app and instead of running the GPU Fan % on Auto during gaming, manually crank up the fan to help compensate for the extra heat. But switching it back to Auto for the Fan should be fine for everything else u do, such as just doing stuff within the OS non-Gaming related.

[cman]

Thanks. I am getting around 85 degrees though max so I'd rather not risk anything yet.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Mr Tentacles:

Thanks. I am getting around 85 degrees though max so I'd rather not risk anything yet.

Then see what the GPU Fan % is reaching when the GPU reaches this 80-85*C range and then manually change the fan % to be higher then what it runs at under Auto. Then simply apply that manual fan % (or one slightly higher) prior to launching games. After u close game and want to return to quieter desktop usages, click it back to Auto and apply.

Again u need an app like MSI Afterburner or similar for this.

Everyone who has a dedicated GPU (AMD or NVIDIA, Mobile or Desktop) should basically be using it. Even if u have no intention to OC your GPU, such apps have MANY other purposes and features.

[cman]

Thanks, and I did install afterburner

[taku]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Bad_Motha:

You can get a new 330W PSU for Alienware X51 on places like Ebay.
Then GPUs such as GTX 960, 970 or even most 980 are of no issue; as considering many of the X51 R2 shipped with a 330W PSU and GTX 760 Ti (OEM) which is roughly same TDP as GTX 760 so with 330W it will easily handle these newer GPUs, most of which use less power than even a 760.

But yes given the X51 chassis design, u will want a Reference Design GPU; such as these:

GTX 960 2GB (reference design)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121929

GTX 970 4GB (reference design)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487070

i bought a msi gtx 960 2gd5 (refurbished from newegg) for my alienware x51 r2 and i put it in and after awhile it stopped working so i bought 330w power brick it didn't come yet but before i had a 240w power brick is that the problem? i could really use a answer i tried so much