Alienware X51 R2 upgrade gpu to GTX 970

[Twelfth]

So i have been doing a lot of research and people have done this before. But they're really vague and very confusing. Basically it always comes down to the power supply the 970 needs 500 watts. For some reason they decided to use a 330 watt power supply for this model. But a few people are saying you don't need 500w and they tried it and it works fine. Anyway supposedly no one makes a 500w power brick so you wouldn't think you would be able to use the 970? Yet people have, it's extremely confusing and annoying i would really like to upgrade my gpu and not have to buy a whole new pc because that's ridiculous! Thank you!
(the gpu specs http://www.evga.com/products/Specs/GPU.aspx?pn=59af1a79-f7d6-40fc-8325-79d75120cf69)

 

[DustinV]

The Alienware x51 supports up to a 150w tdp graphics card.

Gtx 970 has a tdp of 145w. You just have to get a blower style card like the reference cards and I wouldn't try to overclock

Power usage breakdown for x51
https://youtu.be/1WrpXdREZio?t=59s

 

[Twelfth]

The Alienware x51 supports up to a 150w tdp graphics card.

Gtx 970 has a tdp of 145w. You just have to get a blower style card like the reference cards and I wouldn't try to overclock

Power usage breakdown for x51
https://youtu.be/1WrpXdREZio?t=59s

Thank you! I wouldn't plan on overclocking as i'm not even doing it now. Which model of the 970 would you recommend?
http://www.evga.com/products/Specs/GPU.aspx?pn=8296b494-5d1d-400d-b2e8-d00ccd71e088 Would this one run efficient / be better than my current 760 ti oem for sure right? Thanks again!

 

[DustinV]

It has to be the blower style like the reference card

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-4gb-gddr5-pci-express-3-0-graphics-card-silver-black/9855169.p?id=1219441201895

http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=04G-P4-1970-KR

 

[Twelfth]

It has to be the blower style like the reference card

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-4gb-gddr5-pci-express-3-0-graphics-card-silver-black/9855169.p?id=1219441201895

http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=04G-P4-1970-KR

I'm going to go with the 2nd one you recommended because its 9.5 inches the perfect size! Thank you i really appreciate it!

 

[compuspegus]

The Alienware x51 supports up to a 150w tdp graphics card.

Gtx 970 has a tdp of 145w. You just have to get a blower style card like the reference cards and I wouldn't try to overclock

Power usage breakdown for x51
https://youtu.be/1WrpXdREZio?t=59s

 

[compuspegus]

Hi. I think they have finally installed the NVIDIA GTX 970 in their latest version of X51. I am not sure if they had to reconfigure the power structure, I could not find the specification on this unit.
http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-x51-r3/pd?ST=+x51&dgc=ST&cid=297972&lid=5694184&acd=123098073120600&ven1=l82lyo9S&ven2=p&ven3=671503415793022752