Looking to Upgrade

[Reodoc]

Hi All,

Looking to upgrade my Alienware Aurora R3 GPU and RAM. Please see attached screen shots for specs (I can provide more if necessary).

Note: I have a ~800wt power supply.

Current Specs

Current Issues/Questions:
1. Heard horror stories regarding Alienware machines and trying to upgrade parts. Any recommendations on what GPU to upgrade to that will be compatible? Currently running x2 of the specified GPU listed in link. I want to find ONE good one =).

2. I have 4x4gb RAM sticks in my computer. CPU-Z finds RAM in each slot, however my machine only identifies 8gb. I have Win 7 Professional 64bit. I have moved them around, testing them individually, RAM limit was unchecked, etc...?

Thanks guys!
CK

 

[Vic 40]

Hi,welcome.

No offence,but i,and probably other as well,have issues with downloading files from a newcomer.Can you make a system spec sheet via this way?

Download hwinfo32,
http://www.hwinfo.com/download32.html
open it,
click run,
close the top window which is the system summary,
click save report at the left top,
in the next window at the bottom check=⓪ "short text report" after that next,you'll get to see what is in your pc,
copy that by clicking "copy to clipboard" and right click and paste in you next post.

Ram came in one package? Or did you add ram?

 

[Reodoc]

Hi Vic 40, thanks! I will re-upload the specs when I get home as I am at work now on a different machine.

To answer your first question, the ram all came in one package. I have since thrown out the package some time ago, however. The RAM has just been living in my computer.

Best,
CK

 

[Vic 40]

I will re-upload the specs when I get home as I am at work now on a different machine.

Okay.

To answer your first question, the ram all came in one package. I have since thrown out the package some time ago, however. The RAM has just been living in my computer.

I hope that the spec list will tell more,otherwise try cpu-z->spd tab for a partnr. so that we can look for specs on the ram.Maybe adjust some settings.

 

[Reodoc]

Thanks Vic 40, I will have this updated with what you require about 6:00PM EST today.

Are there any specific requirements you want to look at?

Appreciate your time,
CK

 

[Vic 40]

Are there any specific requirements you want to look at?

Just want to know what's in the pc. 😉 Others that maybe track this thread,if any,will too,but maybe they aren't as hesitant as i am regarding downloads.

If the specs list doesn't say much about the ram would the partnr be nice.

 

[Reodoc]

Understood I uploaded the snips to my box account as I was having difficulty successfully uploading the pictures.

Otherwise, I will simply manually type everything out for you haha...

CK

 

[Vic 40]

Uploading pics can by using this site for instance,
http://imgur.com/
when uploaded copy the ".IMG" link here in next post.

My way should work fine too,but it's up to you. 😉

 

[Reodoc]

Hi Vic 40, take a look at the below.


Computer: Alienware Aurora-R3
CPU: Intel Core i7-2600K (Sandy Bridge-DT XE, D2)
3400 MHz (34.00x100.0) @ 1596 MHz (16.00x99.8)
Motherboard: Alienware 046MHW
Chipset: Intel P67 (Cougar Point) [B3]
Memory: 8192 MBytes @ 665 MHz, 9.0-10-10-25
- 2048 MB PC10600 DDR3 SDRAM - Corsair CM3X2G1333C9
- 2048 MB PC10600 DDR3 SDRAM - Corsair CM3X2G1333C9
- 2048 MB PC10600 DDR3 SDRAM - Corsair CM3X2G1333C9
- 2048 MB PC10600 DDR3 SDRAM - Corsair CM3X2G1333C9
Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6950 2GB GDDR5
ATI/AMD Radeon HD 6950, 2048 MB GDDR5 SDRAM
Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6950 2GB GDDR5
ATI/AMD Radeon HD 6950, 2048 MB GDDR5 SDRAM
Drive: Crucial_CT128MX100SSD1, 125.0 GB, Serial ATA 6Gb/s @ 6Gb/s
Drive: ST31000524AS, 976.8 GB, Serial ATA 6Gb/s @ 6Gb/s
Drive: PLDS DVD+-RW DH-24ABS, DVD+R DL
Sound: Intel Cougar Point PCH - High Definition Audio Controller [B3]
Sound: ATI/AMD Cayman/Antilles - High Definition Audio Controller
Sound: ATI/AMD Cayman/Antilles - High Definition Audio Controller
Network: RealTek Semiconductor RTL8168/8111 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet NIC
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (x64) Build 7601

 

[Vic 40]

Memory: 8192 MBytes @ 665 MHz, 9.0-10-10-25
- 2048 MB PC10600 DDR3 SDRAM - Corsair CM3X2G1333C9
- 2048 MB PC10600 DDR3 SDRAM - Corsair CM3X2G1333C9
- 2048 MB PC10600 DDR3 SDRAM - Corsair CM3X2G1333C9
- 2048 MB PC10600 DDR3 SDRAM - Corsair CM3X2G1333C9

First of all,these timings look a bit off,try to set them manually to 9-9-9-24.You can up the voltage for the ram to 1.55 and see if that will help with stabillity.Could even go up to 1.65V for the Vram.
It might also need some tweaking of the voltage for the memory controller,but am not sure what it is called at your motherboard.I maybe need some pics of the bios/uefi for that.A quote from here,

It can be called DDRVTT, VTTCPU, CPUVTT, VCCIO, VTT and other names, and is even sometimes grouped in with the VCCSA (System Agent Voltage).

Where in the system does it say that only 8b is available?


On another note,the new gpu ...

Can look at the gtx 970/980 or the r9 390(X).I can't be sure that the motherboard supports any of these but can't see why not.You could contact Dell about that to be sure.

 

[Reodoc]

Hi Vic,

1. It shows 8gb RAM in the Windows Computer Properties. I did change what you specified above to no avail - Even upped the voltage and it still only shows the default.

2. Are those GPUs significant upgrades to my current one(s)? Will they be okay if my default RAM stays at 8gb? lol

Thanks!
CK

 

[Vic 40]

Memory: 8192 MBytes @ 665 MHz, 9.0-10-10-25
- 2048 MB PC10600 DDR3 SDRAM - Corsair CM3X2G1333C9
- 2048 MB PC10600 DDR3 SDRAM - Corsair CM3X2G1333C9
- 2048 MB PC10600 DDR3 SDRAM - Corsair CM3X2G1333C9
- 2048 MB PC10600 DDR3 SDRAM - Corsair CM3X2G1333C9

I'm sorry didn't pay much attention to what was given for the ram amount,but this data says that you have 4x2gb in the pc.Can you check the stickers on the sticks to make sure you have 4gb sticks?

Well,imo are those gpu's significant upgrades indeed regardless of the amount of ram in the pc.

Maybe you can give some more info about the psu? Other than it is 800watts.Like has it multiple +12voltrails,and if so what on each and the total amount of Amps for those rails,or is it a single +12voltrail psu.
The pcie cables,two cables with four connectors (two on each cable),or 4cables with one connector each.The R9 390(X) can use quite an amount of watts so for this might it be good to know.Just making sure.

 

[Reodoc]

Hi Vic, the sticks say 1333mhz 4gb (2x2GB) 9-9-9-24 1.50v ver 2.2 (TW3X4G1333C9A)

The PSU is 875 but i can't seem to locate the other specifications. I was hoping they would be clearly printed on the side of the Power Unit...

CK

 

[Vic 40]

Hi Vic, the sticks say 1333mhz 4gb (2x2GB) 9-9-9-24 1.50v ver 2.2 (TW3X4G1333C9A)

Which means with two of those kits you're at a total of 8gb in the pc.not 16gb as you claim and is there no problem with the amount of ram.Upping the voltage isn't necessary too because of this.Can be set back to 1.5V if you want.

The PSU is 875 but i can't seem to locate the other specifications. I was hoping they would be clearly printed on the side of the Power Unit...

No sticker on the side? Either one.

 

[Reodoc]

I have 4 of theses sticks in my computer though, would that equal 16gb?

Let me look on the other side, I couldn't get it open before haha.

Thx

 

[Vic 40]

I have 4 of theses sticks in my computer though, would that equal 16gb?

No,what you give me for info tells that you used two sets of 4gb made of 2x2gb sticks,this equals 8gb total.

Hi Vic, the sticks say 1333mhz 4gb (2x2GB) 9-9-9-24 1.50v ver 2.2 (TW3X4G1333C9A)

click the link for info.

 

[Reodoc]

Happy Thanksgiving, Vic.

Pardon my ignorance, I'm sure that's a common inquiry on these forms regarding RAM...

As far as my GPU I don't know how I can't find anything physical. I nearly snapped the other side panel off trying to see if it even came off, turns out it does not...

If this helps...875 watt, I know this and it has both my current GPUs plugged into it, so I know it at least supports my cross fired 6950s.

 

[Vic 40]

Happy Thanksgiving, Vic.

Pardon my ignorance, I'm sure that's a common inquiry on these forms regarding RAM...

Hi.

I do and it is. 😀

As far as my GPU I don't know how I can't find anything physical. I nearly snapped the other side panel off trying to see if it even came off, turns out it does not...

If this helps...875 watt, I know this and it has both my current GPUs plugged into it, so I know it at least supports my cross fired 6950s.

I assume you talk about the psu.Tried to find some more info about it and am not getting anywhere so far.I'm not saying that it isn't powerfull enough,it is.I'm trying to determine whether you need power from two cables or just one (assuming one cable has two connectors).And that is for the r9 390(X) for the most part,the other gpu's recommended don't use much more than the ones already in your system.

Some info about getting panels off is in the next link (a pdf form),
http://downloads.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_alienware_dsk/alienware-aurora-r3_Service%20Manual_en-us.pdf

 

[Reodoc]

Hi Vic,

I haven't taken the panel off yet, however, does this help 0gx1j7? That is the number off my PSU.

CK

 

[LeRock]

Just download some ram. ezpz

 

[Reodoc]

Sorry, download some "ram"?

CK

 

[Vic 40]

LeRock has not gained any badges yet. They are easy to get, so it won't take long now!

I think it's going to take some time.😛


Can't really find alot with that nr,only other threads like this one so far. Still doesn't matter that much,as said the psu has enough power for a high end psu and Dell uses normally decent psu's afaik.
The issue is that with multiple +12voltrails you might need to use the power of two +12voltrails to power a R9 390(X),don't know for sure,but it is possible.This is why i asked if the psu has two pcie power cbles with two connectors each or that it has four with one each.(?) If it has two cables could you use both,i assume if it has multiple +12voltrails that each cable is fed by one seperate rail.

 

[Reodoc]

There are two cables running to each GPU (2) to that equals 4. It looks like they both run back (along with many other wires) to the PSU in one singular input.

CK

 

[LeRock]

It was a joke ;_;

 

[Vic 40]

It was a joke ;_;

And not funny at all. Stop joking around here,people try to get issues resolved that are serious to them,jokes like this don't help.


@Reodoc,

I found some info about a similar psu which leads me to believe it's a multiple +12voltrail design,
http://www.stuartconnections.com/de/power-supplies/6514-Alienware-Aurora-R1-R2-875w-Power-Supply-80-Plus-Silver-W299G-NPS875BB.html
http://sishardware.com/imgs/a/a/m/t/d/h875ef_j556t_w299g_dell_precision_alienware_aurora_alx_r2_r3_875_w_power_supply_1_lgw.jpg

Not bad,just what it is.I think that with 5 rails it probably uses one for the cpu and each other one will have one pcie cable to power,with it being like that would a r9 390 be powered from two rails which would be fine.It being like this see i no problem in using any of those gpu's i recommended.