Dell XPS 8700 Graphics Card Upgrade With a EVGA GTX 970 FTW+

[emcdawg123]

I was considering upgrading my current graphics card in my Dell XPS 8700, which is a NVidia GeForce GT 720, to a EVGA GTX 970 FTW+. However, I am unaware of weather my XPS 8700 will accept it. I know that I have a capable processor (i5 Quad core @3.20 GHz), and I know I should probably also upgrade my PSU to a 750 watt or something like that. I just want to make sure that my computer will be fine with my graphics card before i shell out the big bones on it. Thanks for your help!

 

[mlga91]

Does the back of your PC looks like this one?

If so, you should be able to install any standard ATX PSU and any PCIe video card. A decent 500-550W psu will do the job nicely, you dont need a lot of power to use a 970. What i5 do you have? A 4460?

 

[emcdawg123]

Does the back of your PC looks like this one?

If so, you should be able to install any standard ATX PSU and any PCIe video card. A decent 500-550W psu will do the job nicely, you dont need a lot of power to use a 970. What i5 do you have? A 4460?

No actually, the back of my computer doesn't look like that. Does that mean that I'm stuck with this terrible card? And I do have a 4460 i5 by the way.

 

[mlga91]

Well, if you can find a picture of the back of your PC i can tell you, but im almost certain that your case can use any standard ATX PSU, and any PCIe card.

Edit: Is this your PC?

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Desktop-i5-4460-Quad-Core-7200RPM/dp/B00VY55QFE

 

[emcdawg123]

Well, if you can find a picture of the back of your PC i can tell you, but im almost certain that your case can use any standard ATX PSU, and any PCIe card.

Ok. I'm just nervous about the upgrade. The back of my XPS 8700 has the Windows 8 sticker and a VGA port instead of a Display Port on the graphics card. The interface also looks different. Why is it that I need the back to look like the one in the pic?

Also, it doesn't look like the second pic. Closer to that one though.

 

[mlga91]

Because you can see in the back of the case if it uses a standard PSU and that you're not stuck with low profile cards, check for the screws on the back of the PSU, they should be in the same position of the picture, and they should be pretty similar. Is this the one?

http://ep.yimg.com/ay/directron/x8700-1262blk-7.gif

 

[emcdawg123]

Because you can see in the back of the case if it uses a standard PSU and that you're not stuck with low profile cards, check for the screws on the back of the PSU, they should be in the same position of the picture, and they should be pretty similar. Is this the one?

http://ep.yimg.com/ay/directron/x8700-1262blk-7.gif

Yea, that's it. It's exactly the same as the one you just sent me. And the screws to my PSU are the same also.

 

[mlga91]

Well you'll have no problem with the upgrade then, what PSU do you plan to use?

I can recommend you this one, its at $50 bucks right now:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9

 

[emcdawg123]

Well you'll have no problem with the upgrade then, what PSU do you plan to use?

I don't know yet. I think I want to get a 750 watt so that when I build my own computer someday I'll have a pretty good PSU I can recycle. Some advice for one that fits in my case would be awesome!

 

[mlga91]

This one has plenty of power for a SLI build:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-110b20750vr

 

[emcdawg123]

Well you'll have no problem with the upgrade then, what PSU do you plan to use?

I can recommend you this one, its at $50 bucks right now:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9

I might end up going with that, it does look like a steal for $50. Thanks so much for your help, I always get nervous when it comes to buying expensive things and then they don't work, especially when it comes to my computer.

This one has plenty of power for a SLI build:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-110b20750vr

Nevermind what I said earlier, I thought that a 750 watt PSU would be too expensive, but I'm willing to pay $40 more for a 750 watt over a 550. Thanks again for everything!

 

[mlga91]

No problem, have fun with your upgrade!