Updating graphics card in dell 8500

[Gamergirl Aa]

I want to upgrade my graphicd card to the new nividia 970 but I am not sure it will fit in my dell 8500 (early 2012)

These are my computer specs http://www.pcworld.com/product/1218238/xps-8500-mini-tower-desktop.html

The nividia specs
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-970/specifications

The only difference is that my current graphics card is the nividia 640

 

[clutchc]

Best way to be sure is to pick a card, check its length in the specs, and then open your case and measure. There are various length GTX 970 cards.

 

[Gamergirl Aa]

Well I guess I said that wrong, would my motherboard support it, I think I would need a new power source because it needs atleast 550w and I have 450w. So I guess my question is, is the dell 8500 compatible with the nividia 970

The nividia specs (http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-970/specifications)

 

[clutchc]

That is a late model Dell. I can't see any reason the GTX 970 wouldn't work. All it requires is a PCIe x16 slot and a solid PSU of 500W or better. It would probably work fine on your 450W too if it has 2 x 6 pin connectors depending on the nameplate specs of your PSU. The card only averages 145W at max. Although upgrading the PSU would be wise.
Some older machines require a BIOS update to recognize the new Maxwell GPU, but yours should be fine. If there's a new BIOS available for your Dell, you may want to update just to be on the safe side. I have used its little brother, the GTX 750 Ti in several budget builds with old boards with no problem. It too is the new Maxwell GPU.