Alienware GPU Upgrade?

[Reodoc]

Hi All,

I am currently looking to upgrade my Alienware Aurora R3's GPU. Please see current specs below...

Computer: Alienware Aurora-R3
CPU: Intel Core i7-2600K (Sandy Bridge-DT XE, D2)
3400 MHz (34.00x100.0) @ 1596 MHz (16.00x99.8)
Motherboard: Alienware 046MHW
Chipset: Intel P67 (Cougar Point) [B3]
Memory: 8192 MBytes @ 665 MHz, 9.0-10-10-25
- 2048 MB PC10600 DDR3 SDRAM - Corsair CM3X2G1333C9
- 2048 MB PC10600 DDR3 SDRAM - Corsair CM3X2G1333C9
- 2048 MB PC10600 DDR3 SDRAM - Corsair CM3X2G1333C9
- 2048 MB PC10600 DDR3 SDRAM - Corsair CM3X2G1333C9
Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6950 2GB GDDR5
ATI/AMD Radeon HD 6950, 2048 MB GDDR5 SDRAM
Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6950 2GB GDDR5
ATI/AMD Radeon HD 6950, 2048 MB GDDR5 SDRAM
Drive: Crucial_CT128MX100SSD1, 125.0 GB, Serial ATA 6Gb/s @ 6Gb/s
Drive: ST31000524AS, 976.8 GB, Serial ATA 6Gb/s @ 6Gb/s
Drive: PLDS DVD+-RW DH-24ABS, DVD+R DL
Sound: Intel Cougar Point PCH - High Definition Audio Controller [B3]
Sound: ATI/AMD Cayman/Antilles - High Definition Audio Controller
Sound: ATI/AMD Cayman/Antilles - High Definition Audio Controller
Network: RealTek Semiconductor RTL8168/8111 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet NIC
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (x64) Build 7601

My main questions is, has anyone out there with an Alienware Aurora R3 upgraded successfully to a newer graphics card? More specifically a GTX 970/980 or similar that is compatible with the specified MoBo? PSU is 875 watt and I believe 12v rails.

Thanks!
CK

 

[hang-the-9]

If it fits in the case, it should run.

 

[Reodoc]

Thank you, I was just curious if anyone with the same MoBo as mine has had luck with a specific card?

I have read horror stories of GPUs not being compatible with certain MoBo's. I have researched this and haven't found anything concrete.

Thanks!
CK

 

[hang-the-9]

Thank you, I was just curious if anyone with the same MoBo as mine has had luck with a specific card?

I have read horror stories of GPUs not being compatible with certain MoBo's. I have researched this and haven't found anything concrete.

Thanks!
CK

The only common issue with motherboards not working with video cards is PCIe Rev 1 slots not working with PCIe rev 3 cards, and even that is system to system and card to card.

 

[Reodoc]

Thank you, could you explain that in some more detail if you wouldn't mind. I'm on the cusp of making a possible bad purchase, haha.

 

[hang-the-9]

Thank you, could you explain that in some more detail if you wouldn't mind. I'm on the cusp of making a possible bad purchase, haha.

Detail about PCIe rev 1 issues? Nothing much to explain, just that some boards with PCIe 1 slots don't work with some cards that are PCIe rev 3. Not all the time, but often enough that it's a common issue, and there is probably no list out there that has all the possible combinations of what works and what does not.

 

[Reodoc]

Thank you - I dug around alot today and it seems the GTX 970 has had good results in the Alienware Aurora R3's. I might take the plunge...