Question Trying to restore Alienware Aurora R3

[breezett93]

I am trying to restore an R3 that I have for my kids to use. Because the case is so rigid, I can't really move things around to simplify the build. I think I'm missing cables, but not sure which ones. I'm hoping that someone either has some pictures of the interior to share, or can help based on the info below.

I still have the two original GTX 600 series cards that came with the pc. I'd like to use them if possible. I have the sla thing that "links them" but I can't seem to find the cable the connects them to each other and then to the psu or mb1. As a backup, I have a GTX 780Ti that I could use, but am hoping to sell instead.

PWR2 port on motherboard should have something plugged into it. Can't remember what.

Brown and black 4 plug from the PSU doesn't seem to be able to reach anything on MB1 or MB2.

I can happily supply photos if that helps.

 

[Lutfij]

I think I'm missing cables, but not sure which ones. I'm hoping that someone either has some pictures of the interior to share, or can help based on the info below.
How about you pass on a picture of the case and it's innards in order for us to spot what's missing in your build...? Host your images on a site like Imgur and then pass on a link for us to see.

I have the sla thing that "links them" but I can't seem to find the cable the connects them to each other and then to the psu or mb1. As a backup, I have a GTX 780Ti that I could use, but am hoping to sell instead.
SLI is moot at this point and I doubt you will see any real world benefit's by reviving it, instead use the single most powerful GPU at your disposal. You draw less power from the PSU/wall that way.

Speaking of PSU, what is the make and model of the unit and it's age? I went looking for the prebuilt and noticed it should have a SandyBridge platform in that platform. You won't get much support with an OS on it, in 2024.

 

[breezett93]

I think I'm missing cables, but not sure which ones. I'm hoping that someone either has some pictures of the interior to share, or can help based on the info below.
How about you pass on a picture of the case and it's innards in order for us to spot what's missing in your build...? Host your images on a site like Imgur and then pass on a link for us to see.

I have the sla thing that "links them" but I can't seem to find the cable the connects them to each other and then to the psu or mb1. As a backup, I have a GTX 780Ti that I could use, but am hoping to sell instead.
SLI is moot at this point and I doubt you will see any real world benefit's by reviving it, instead use the single most powerful GPU at your disposal. You draw less power from the PSU/wall that way.

Speaking of PSU, what is the make and model of the unit and it's age? I went looking for the prebuilt and noticed it should have a SandyBridge platform in that platform. You won't get much support with an OS on it, in 2024.

Pictures:

https://imgur.com/a/alienware

View: https://imgur.com/gallery/alienware-aurora-r3-restoration-0NlrMb4

In the pictures, you'll see I have the GPUs connected, but the other end of the cable does not fit into PWR2. So, the gpu cable has to change.

For the PSU, I searched "CN-0FPWDW-47985 Power supply" and got 305W NH493 Power supply. If I remember correctly, it is the original from 2011 when I got the pc.

I remember I had a heck of a time upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 because of MB compatibility issues. I have no problem keeping it as a Win 7 machine.

 

[Lutfij]

Yeah, those cables are meant for an EVGA PSU, please do not hook them to your PSU, since not all PSU's have the same pinout. You will need a PSU for sure to power the SLI setup though you'd be better served power draw wise to hook the GTX780Ti in place of the SLI'd GTX600's. Speaking of which, what cards are they from the GTX600 series?

These might be a worthwhile read;
https://www.dell.com/community/en/c...power-supply-upgrade/647f6d14f4ccf8a8dea523be

How can I determine the PSU wattage of Aurora R3? | DELL Technologies

I have a 2010 Alienware Aurora R3 desktop that sorely needs (at least) a graphics card upgrade. Problem is, I don't know whether I have the 525W or the 875W PSU, and there don't seem to be re...

www.dell.com

 

[breezett93]

Yeah, those cables are meant for an EVGA PSU, please do not hook them to your PSU, since not all PSU's have the same pinout. You will need a PSU for sure to power the SLI setup though you'd be better served power draw wise to hook the GTX780Ti in place of the SLI'd GTX600's. Speaking of which, what cards are they from the GTX600 series?

These might be a worthwhile read;
https://www.dell.com/community/en/c...power-supply-upgrade/647f6d14f4ccf8a8dea523be

How can I determine the PSU wattage of Aurora R3? | DELL Technologies

I have a 2010 Alienware Aurora R3 desktop that sorely needs (at least) a graphics card upgrade. Problem is, I don't know whether I have the 525W or the 875W PSU, and there don't seem to be re...

www.dell.com

There are no markings on the card; so I did more digging. They look like the card listed on this page: https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-gtx-460.c265

So, they could be 460s; I do not know if NVIDIA used the same shell on multiple models.

I will attempt to connect the 780TI to the board since it doesn't seem like the remaining connections on the psu will work.

 

[Eximo]

Top left is the CPU power, the system won't run without that.

I don't know about this whole thing.

Old AIO CPU cooler, if it still works, you do risk it breaking down or even leaking. Running an outdated OS, not ideal, some games won't even install on old OS. Old PSU, not ideal. High power GPU in a system that, yes, probably can handle it, but when it was new. Missing OEM cables, that is never fun. The time/money you spend tracking down parts and you could just spend a few hundred to get a decent budget build with more up to date used components. Heck you could involve the kids and turn it into a project.

Yes, that should be 400 or 500 series GPUs based on the time frame and other images I have found. A pair of GTX560 maybe? Also seeing a lot of mention of dual 545 cards, which may have been an OEM only solution.

Single six pin power connector narrows it down somewhat. (GTX 545 was a 105W card, and would have been okay with a six pin cable)

All new parts:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5500 3.6 GHz 6-Core Processor ($83.56 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B450M-HDV R4.0 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Silicon Power GAMING 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($24.97 @ Amazon)
Storage: TEAMGROUP MP33 512 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($33.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Phoenix OC GeForce GTX 1650 G6 4 GB Video Card ($135.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($37.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: MSI MAG A550BN 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $425.49
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-11-14 16:23 EST-0500

 

[breezett93]

Top left is the CPU power, the system won't run without that.

So which of the cables from from the PSU is supposed to go to PWR2? None of them are 8 pins.

 

[Eximo]

In your second photo I think I see it. Pointed straight down directly in line with the hard drive cage at the bottom. Looks like an 8-wire cable to me. Can't read the label though.

 

[breezett93]

In your second photo I think I see it. Pointed straight down directly in line with the hard drive cage at the bottom. Looks like an 8-wire cable to me. Can't read the label though.

I added a more clear picture to the imgur post showing what is available. There is a 6 pin peripheral cable, 6 pin sata cable, 4 pin brown/black cable, and the older peripheral cable.

I don't see any other cables coming from the PSU that would power the CPU.

 

[Eximo]

From some image searching I see quite a few R3 motherboards. Looks like the connector is sometimes white, Sometimes it is a daisy chain off another cable, and sometimes it is sleeved but with exposed black and white wires.

It is possible it is just tucked up very far in the corner and not immediately visible. Look behind water cooling radiator.