Alienware x51 GPU upgrade

[sachar1]

Hi guys,

I want to upgrade my Alienware X51 gpu from Geforce 660 to 760 TI
The 2014 X51's come standard with it, but I bought mine in june 2013.

I would like to know if it fits in my X51, and if it's worth it with my pc.

My pc stats:

Processor: Intel Core I7-4770
RAM: 8GB
GPU: Nvidia Geforce 660
Windows 8 64 bit
Case is from june 2013


Thanks,

-Sachar1

 

[Eduello]

The biggest problem is that you can't buy the 760Ti, it only comes with prebuilt PCs.

 

[Kekoh]

Personally I would get the GTX 770, as it is a nice performance increase over the 760, and not much more expensive.

i found this, which seems like an awesome deal: http://www.amazon.com/PNY-GeForce-DisplayPort-PCI-Express-VCGGTX7702XPB/dp/B00CZ7Q028/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1396018974&sr=8-3&keywords=gtx+770

There is also an OC version for just $12 more, and it has dual fans. You would probably be able to get 5-10% more performance from an overclock on that as well. I've never had a PNY card but the reviews seem good.

 

[fatboyslimerr]

You probably need a blower style heat sink due to the confined space in your case. EVGA due a nice gtx 770 with blower style that would be a great upgrade. I wouldn't try overclocking it though.

Also look at a used gtx 670 (760 ti is just a re-badge)

 

[breakfastdude]

The problem with going with a gtx 770 though, is that your PSU probably won't be powerful enough. AFAIK the biggest PSU you can get for the x51 is 330W (which I assume you have now), and with the gtx 660 + 4770 it's almost at its limit. I've read in some forums that people have been able to put gtx 670's into their x51's, but they had to undervolt and underclock the GPU to prevent the system from crashing. Then again, an underclocked 670 is not much of an upgrade to your 660.

 

[Eggz]

Will it fit? - Probably

So, the 660's measurements are 10.09" x 5.16" x 1.56".

The 760's measurements are 11.61"L x 5.08"W x 1.69"H.

Both are the Windforce edition.

Eduello's right about the 760 ti being unavailable, though. Only computer manufacturers have access to that card for installing in new computers. According to Nvidia's website, it's an OEM card only.

Is it worth it? - Probably not

You get about a 10fps improvement on games with the same high settings. See GPU Boss.

The WindForce 760 costs $260 on NewEgg, and the Windforce GTX 660 only costs only $189 on NewEgg.

Now think about it. For $260, you'll get slightly better performance with the 760. But for only $189, you'll get dramatically better perforamnce. This article shows that two 760s will scale to perform as well as a Titan. Since the 760s are about 15%-20% faster than the 660s, you'll get performance somewhere between the 780 and 770 is you SLI the 660s.

You do need support for SLI, though. You'll need good case ventilation, enough PCI-e slots, and enough power from your PSU. It's kind of a thing for people who like tinkering with computers, but if that's you and you have support, SLI would be much better bang for the buck.

 

[Kekoh]

Whoa, they use some tiny PSU's.

 

[sachar1]

Will it fit? - Probably

So, the 660's measurements are 10.09" x 5.16" x 1.56".

The 760's measurements are 11.61"L x 5.08"W x 1.69"H.

Both are the Windforce edition.

Eduello's right about the 760 ti being unavailable, though. Only computer manufacturers have access to that card for installing in new computers. According to Nvidia's website, it's an OEM card only.

Is it worth it? - Probably not

You get about a 10fps improvement on games with the same high settings. See GPU Boss.

The WindForce 760 costs $260 on NewEgg, and the Windforce GTX 660 only costs only $189 on NewEgg.

Now think about it. For $260, you'll get slightly better performance with the 760. But for only $189, you'll get dramatically better perforamnce. This article shows that two 760s will scale to perform as well as a Titan. Since the 760s are about 15%-20% faster than the 660s, you'll get performance somewhere between the 780 and 770 is you SLI the 660s.

You do need support for SLI, though. You'll need good case ventilation, enough PCI-e slots, and enough power from your PSU. It's kind of a thing for people who like tinkering with computers, but if that's you and you have support, SLI would be much better bang for the buck.

Thank You very much for all the information.
I'm gonna look further into possibilities of upgrading my PSU and making sure my PC is cold enough before upgrading my GPU. I'm also certain now I won't go for the 760 GPU, because it needs to be a bigger difference if I have to spend money on it.

I'm new to PC building, so I've another question:

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Builder-Watt-EPS%C2%A0-CX600/dp/B0092ML0OC/ref=lp_1161760_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1396045890&sr=1-1

Would this fit in my X51 and would it overheat everthing or cause any problems?

 

[breakfastdude]

Nope, that PSU will not fit because your X51 doesn't house an internal PSU in the first place. Your PSU is the external power brick you connect to the unit itself. Your only hope is to find a more powerful external power brick (which is quite the challenge, AFAIK 330W already is the largest). Or you can try this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khbU3KtO2dw which is quite tedious and defeats the purpose of the compact form factor of the x51.

 

[sachar1]

Nope, that PSU will not fit because your X51 doesn't house an internal PSU in the first place. Your PSU is the external power brick you connect to the unit itself. Your only hope is to find a more powerful external power brick (which is quite the challenge, AFAIK 330W already is the largest). Or you can try this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khbU3KtO2dw which is quite tedious and defeats the purpose of the compact form factor of the x51.

Oh that's my PSU..
Not gonna do the thing he did, (takes too much place), I bought the X51 because I'm in college now and with roommates I don't have much space for a PC :/

Thanks for the awnser