Dell XPS 8300 - Cannot upgrade GPU?

[Xandyr78]

Hello, all...I apologize if this has already been asked and answered. I tried to search through these forums, but couldn't find the specific answer I'm looking for. Here's my question:

I own a Dell XPS 8300, and I want to upgrade the GPU. I started with an AMD HD 6770, and I recently purchased an RX 460...but after installing the card into the system (all other requirements being met by my hardware specs), the card will not boot. At all. My monitors don't even register there's a connection. I've tried doing research, and it seems that a locked BIOS might be my problem, but I don't know how to check that. Are all of the XPS 8300s built like this, and if so...is there ANY way I can upgrade my GPU?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I would say it's a BIOS incompatibility.
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3515/t/19982646

 

[Xandyr78]

I would say it's a BIOS incompatibility.
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3515/t/19982646

This does seem to be the problem. Super disappointing, as the system itself still does everything ELSE I need it to do, and very well. Stinks that Dell would make upgrading so difficult. I realize they're in the market to get consumers to buy a whole new system...but I'd be much more likely to buy from them in the future if this sort of thing weren't their go-to.

Appreciate your quick reply, and the link. I'm gonna try and locate the card mentioned in that thread and pick it up. Test my luck.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Hopefully it works for you , does that system have a fast boot feature in the BIOS ?

 

[Xandyr78]

Hopefully it works for you , does that system have a fast boot feature in the BIOS ?

You know, I have no idea. I'm NOT terribly tech-savvy. I can access the BIOS, but most of what I see there is Greek. I'm at work right now, so can't check 'til this evening. Is it important one way or another?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

If it has fast boot or secure boot enabled try disabling them. Sometimes helps.

 

[Xandyr78]

If it has fast boot or secure boot enabled try disabling them. Sometimes helps.

I'll have a look after work. Give that a shot. If it doesn't work, then I'll just return the card and go for the GTX 1050 Ti that seems to work for most people.

Thanks again!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Glad to assist , Good Luck.

 

[junkeymonkey]

'' few XPS 8300 users are reporting that the RX 480 does not work on their systems. Apparently, it fails POST (power-on self test). This may be due to a BIOS incompatibility. See, e.g.:''

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3515/t/19986584

''Anybody know why the rx 480 wouldn't work, and will it be fixed in the future? Looking to get one myself.''

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3515/t/19986126

your at dells mercy on if they give a new bios to support the latest cards like the xps 8700 guys got

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3515/t/19601491

welcome to dell

+

some models of store bought computers [dell.hp,acer,ect..] may come with a ''locked or fixed'' / legacy or uefi bios and may not allow you to change certain hardware as a video card.. this is done to protect them from undue warranty claims and refunds .this is not done to hurt you but to protect them. you really need to see if that upgrade has been proven to work in your model first before you invest money in it .. there are a lot of these threads here at toms to look at some models will allow upgrades and some dont.. and a lot of guys here say ya ya ya when is really no no no...it would be sad you spent $200 on a card that won't post after you installed it as most find out. then get told its your psu and you spend more and end up right back where you are now, but its up to you good luck..


you got to know the boards in these computers are not like the ones we use to do custom builds witch are open to upgrading with in the boards compatibly . the bios is custom made for there design and just for the parts they authorize to be used on there computers there only guaranteed to work as is out of the box as you bought it ,..


also these boards do not have to meet atx standards and there pci-e slot power may not do the required 75w needed for most higher end cards and can be limited to say 45 or 60w that is all thats needed with the low end factory oem cards that it may of shipped with
[example]
http://en.community.dell.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/3514/1030.DESKTOP.jpg

in the end any upgrade you do is all your own risk . the prebuilt manufactures only guarantees there computers work as sold to you as is out of the box from there factory with what they put on it , not a drop more

there in business to sell you whole ready to go computers , and dont worry about you upgrading them or giving you support to do so . thats not how they make there money they prefer you run to wal-mart and buy there ''better'' latest models

 

[spdragoo]

Also, make sure your PSU has enough juice for it. It's a Dell OEM power supply, so I'd be surprised if it even reaches 300W. So unless your RX 460 a) doesn't require PCIe power connectors, & b) doesn't need more than the 75W the PCIe slot might provide, I'm not sure you have enough juice to power it.

 

[junkeymonkey]

all the psu in the world may not overcome dell proprietary ways

 

[Xandyr78]

Glad to assist , Good Luck.

If I do go with the GTX 1050 Ti, is there a vast difference between the EVGA version and the PNY?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Nope , they all perform about the same.

I prefer EVGA.

 

[junkeymonkey]

as they say

''those who know NVidia know evga ''