Upgrading a GPU?

Tekno Venus

Tekno Venus

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I'm alright at hardware, but no expert. I'm helping out a good friend of mine with a PC upgrade.

He currently has a Dell XPS 8500 desktop (http://zapp4.staticworld.net/reviews/graphics/products/uploaded/dell_xps_8500_1218238_g2.jpg) with an NVidia GTX560Ti. He's a flight simulator fan and wants to upgrade his GPU for better performance. However, the case is small and cramped - too small for a big GPU.

Gigabyte recently released the GTX 970 ITX - a mini version of the new GTX970: GIGABYTE - Graphics Card - NVIDIA - PCI Express Solution - GeForce 900 Series - GV-N970IXOC-4GD.

The 970 has slightly less power requirements than the current card in terms of wattage - but needs a single 8 pin. The card is currently connected with 2 6-pin connectors. Is it possible to converts the 6-pins to an 8-pin using an adaptor, and if so, is this advisable?

The main concern here is airflow, since the two HDD's in RAID take up a lot of front space, plus there's a sound card in the bottom PCI-E.

A future upgrade would be an SSD if that's possible in this case.

Any advice appreciated.

-Stephen
 
The problem with putting it all in a new case is that you'd probably need a new PSU to get everything to reach since the cables are shorter than standard. By the time you've bought a case and PSU, you're on the way to buying a whole new system...

My worry with the 6 to 8-pin adapters is the power draw - from the page you linked to:
The older 6 pin version officially provides a maximum of 75 watts (although unofficially it can usually provide much more) whereas the new 8 pin version provides a maximum of 150 watts. It is very easy to confuse the 8 pin version with the very similar-looking EPS 8 pin 12 volt cable.
Click to expand...

75W is not enough for this GPU.

Thanks!
 
There are other brands of the adapter...just google....that was the first one I saw with my search. You'll will probably need a new PSU anyway. Those retail OEM's only have the basic wattage, usually 250 to 350 watt PSU installed. I can't blow your attachment up enough to tell what it says on the side. The minimum requirement for that GPU is a 400 watt PSU, see here.

I can't find anything in the product documentation for what the wattage requirement is needed for the 8 pin connection just that it needs an 8 pin connection.
 
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It's a Dell forget about swapping the case, Dell follows their own standards for motherboard mounting i/o plates not to mention front panel connectors.

You can use a adapter I'm not a fan of them but they are out there to go from a 6 pin a 6+2 pin> NZXT CB-8V CB 8V 6pin to 6+2pin VGA Extension Cable Premium Cables- Directron

The documentation calls for 400w as a minimum PSU but I do not like using minimums, what wattage supply is currently installed?
 
I think he has upgraded that Dell already as far as he should go because, IMO, he does need a new case. But as Wrench noted, Dell (and other big factory makers) don't always comply with normal industry standards. I have not seen in recent years where the motherboard mounting holes are in the wrong place, but I have seen Dell use tines that are cut from the case sheet metal that then fold over to clamp the board to the case, instead of using screws. The problem there is the tines often break when straightening or when bending back to secure a replacement board. But the Dell OEM boards do typically fit in standard cases. The problem then becomes connecting the front panel buttons and LEDs to the board. If Dell bastardized the motherboard's front panel I/O header, you may have a problem. Note many Dells use Intel OEM boards and if look under Front Panel I/O in this Intel doc, you can figure out the pin layout and maybe, with fingers crossed and strategic placement of tongue, sort out which connector goes where. But this can be a challenge.

Note that many new graphics cards come with HDMI that supports pass-through audio so he can pull the sound card. It does not appear that card does, however. Does he really need RAID? SSDs will mount in any free 5.25 or 3.5 inch drive bay, with the necessary mounting bracket/adapter.

Really, I wish everyone knew and understood that if they buy a factory built computer, their upgrade options will be very limited. After all, these factory computer makers would much rather sell you a new computer than provide the option to extend the usefulness of your old computer. These folks need to learn to assemble their own (all you need is a #2 Phillips screwdriver) and a little dexterity, and a little care to prevent ESD destruction. Alternatively, they need to find a local shop who will custom build for them. Yes, it will cost more than the factory built, but only initially if you can upgrade and allow your computer to evolve through the years instead of complete replacement each time.

Because I cannot go to ASUS, Intel, Crucial, or WD and promise to buy 1,000,000 CPUs, drives or sticks of RAM over the next year, there is no way I can compete in prices with the big factory builders. But I always tell my clients I can build a better computer than the big guys that is suited to their specific needs that will carry them through years of upgrades and ultimately, save them money in the long run. But that takes an initial "investment" in a quality PSU and case to create the "foundation" for a PC that is built to last and support future upgrades.

But sadly, cases and PSUs is where the big makers (and un or mis-informed self-builders) frequently cut corners in the budget. :shame2: :( :banghead:
 

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