Dell XPS 8300 parts usable?

[Turkesh]

After purchasing an MSI R9 280 for my Dell XPS 8300 and putting in a new 725w PSU I've determined this GPU is not compatible with my motherboard. Now I'm considering building a new computer. Would it be advisable or even possible to use the intel i7 2600 3.4 ghz CPU or the 4 ram sticks from my XPS 8300? I am relatively new to all this so any tips or suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Calculagator]

How did you determine that it was not compatible? If your mobo has a pci-e slot that it fits into, it should be compatible. It sounds like either your card or your motherboard is faulty.

 

[Turkesh]

How did you determine that it was not compatible? If your mobo has a pci-e slot that it fits into, it should be compatible. It sounds like either your card or your motherboard is faulty.

I currently have an AMD HD 6770 working fine so as far as I can tell the mobo isn't faulty. As for the card I've put it into another newer computer and it works fine. I called MSI and I was told the reason for this is Dell hasn't released a necessary bios update allowing compatibility. Apparently they've stopped supporting it.

 

[Calculagator]

They could be telling the truth, but it sounds like they were just trying to pass the buck. PCI-E is like usb in that anything you plug in should work. It is fully backward compatible and doesn't require bios or driver updates. Really, the motherboard should just directly connect PCI-e to the CPU and do nothing with the signal. I would guess that you have something plugged in incorrectly.

To answer your original question. You should have no problems just replacing the dell motherboard with another socket 1155 one. You may need a new cpu cooler since OEMs sometimes have weird mounting solutions. All parts should be compatible. You may need to use phone activation to get windows to activate if you do replace your motherboard.

 

[Turkesh]

They could be telling the truth, but it sounds like they were just trying to pass the buck. PCI-E is like usb in that anything you plug in should work. It is fully backward compatible and doesn't require bios or driver updates. Really, the motherboard should just directly connect PCI-e to the CPU and do nothing with the signal. I would guess that you have something plugged in incorrectly.

To answer your original question. You should have no problems just replacing the dell motherboard with another socket 1155 one. You may need a new cpu cooler since OEMs sometimes have weird mounting solutions. All parts should be compatible. You may need to use phone activation to get windows to activate if you do replace your motherboard.

I plugged in both the 6 pin and 8 pin connectors. When I attempt to start up the computer the fans run but nothing happens. What could I have plugged in wrong?

 

[Calculagator]

I plugged in both the 6 pin and 8 pin connectors. When I attempt to start up the computer the fans run but nothing happens. What could I have plugged in wrong?

Could be a lot of things: perhaps the card wasn't seated all the way, perhaps your PSU can't provide the full wattage over both the 6 pin connector and 8 pin connector at the same time. There could have been a loose connection in one of the 6/8 pin connectors.

 

[Turkesh]

I plugged in both the 6 pin and 8 pin connectors. When I attempt to start up the computer the fans run but nothing happens. What could I have plugged in wrong?

Could be a lot of things: perhaps the card wasn't seated all the way, perhaps your PSU can't provide the full wattage over both the 6 pin connector and 8 pin connector at the same time. There could have been a loose connection in one of the 6/8 pin connectors.

I used this same PSU when i tested the card on a different motherboard and it worked fine.

 

[hwc1954]

I have a Radeon XfX R7 250 installed in my Dell XPS 7100 which is the AMD version of the XPS 8300. No problems getting the card running at all. The R9 may require a power supply connector (I'm not sure), but I can't think of anything that would be incompatible unless it's a feature like Crossfire or something. I don't think the basic architecture of PCIe graphics cards has changed in the last few years and the XPS series was often sold with a pretty fancy graphics card (for it's time) as it was positioned as a multi-media oriented box -- optical digital audio outputs, etc.

 

[Turkesh]

I have a Radeon XfX R7 250 installed in my Dell XPS 7100 which is the AMD version of the XPS 8300. No problems getting the card running at all. The R9 may require a power supply connector (I'm not sure), but I can't think of anything that would be incompatible unless it's a feature like Crossfire or something. I don't think the basic architecture of PCIe graphics cards has changed in the last few years and the XPS series was often sold with a pretty fancy graphics card (for it's time) as it was positioned as a multi-media oriented box -- optical digital audio outputs, etc.

A power supply connector in addition to the 6 pin and 8 pin connectors I inserted? I really doubt it since the MSI agent I spoke with only mentioned the 6 & 8 pin connectors.
If I remember correctly Crossfire is the dual GPU software? I am only attempting to use the 1 R9 280.

 

[hwc1954]

A power supply connector in addition to the 6 pin and 8 pin connectors I inserted? I really doubt it since the MSI agent I spoke with only mentioned the 6 & 8 pin connectors.
If I remember correctly Crossfire is the dual GPU software? I am only attempting to use the 1 R9 280.

Sorry, I probably was confusing with my terminology. My Radeon board is completely powered through the PCIe slot, It doesn't require any additional connectors.