Upgrading a dell XPS, need help on GPU and PSU

[Season]

Okay, so I was given a 1.5- 2 year old dell XPS computer in good condition, and the specs from what I can tell are good. It has an i7 2600, 8 gigs of ram, all that good stuff, the only problem is the graphics card is pretty crappy (AMD Hd 6450) and the power supply is just a stock dell model with about 460w and I have no idea what else. So basically I decided to upgrade that stuff, because the other stuff was probably fine, but I'm having some trouble figuring out if what I'm getting is good. I have this 50$ future shop card, so I was thinking of getting the PSU from them, and this one looks good. As for the graphics card, I'm not loaded, so this one looked about right for my budget. So my question is are these two things compatible, are they going to be the best I can do within my budget (about 200-220$ with the card included) and is it going to be like super duper worth it if I hold off two months and scrounge together more cash, or will this stuff suit my needs (playing current games at decently high settings). Thanks in advance!

 

[coastie65]

What Model XPS is it?

 

[markwp]

THIS psu, and

THIS gpu.

 

[Season]

What Model XPS is it?

I'm guessing it's the 8300, not sure

 

[Season]

THIS psu, and

THIS gpu.

Would you mind explaining the differences between the two PSUs? I know the wattage is always weird with these things, so I'm assuming this one has a better sort of wattage than the one I chose? As for the GPU, I can see what you mean, it looks good. I'll probably have to save up some more cash for it though.

 

[markwp]

PSU watts are not the be-all end-all measure of a psu. Some psu makers might 😗 accidentally overstate the wattage of a psu. What you really need to evaluate is how much current (amps) are available and how many 12v rail(s) are need to produce that amperage.

The cooler master you linked is rated at 725w, but is rated as a tier 4 (of 5) supply and really supplies only about 75% of that wattage. When a psu falls into this category, it is typically due to the use of inferior components you run a larger risk of catastrophic failure. The XFX on the other hand is made by Seasonic which is without doubt the best psu money can buy. The components are top notch and the construction and design are flawless.

While either supply would run the gpu I linked, I personally will spend substantially more $$ on a psu. If a "bargain" psu goes, it could very easily take you cpu, gpu and motherboard along for the ride. If it flames (and that does happen), it could also take your house. Call me overly cautious, but to me an extra $25-$50 dollars on a psu vs. $(fill in number) lost is a no brainer.

OK, off my soapbox.

Mark

 

[coastie65]

PSU watts are not the be-all end-all measure of a psu. Some psu makers might 😗 accidentally overstate the wattage of a psu. What you really need to evaluate is how much current (amps) are available and how many 12v rail(s) are need to produce that amperage.

The cooler master you linked is rated at 725w, but is rated as a tier 4 (of 5) supply and really supplies only about 75% of that wattage. When a psu falls into this category, it is typically due to the use of inferior components you run a larger risk of catastrophic failure. The XFX on the other hand is made by Seasonic which is without doubt the best psu money can buy. The components are top notch and the construction and design are flawless.

While either supply would run the gpu I linked, I personally will spend substantially more $$ on a psu. If a "bargain" psu goes, it could very easily take you cpu, gpu and motherboard along for the ride. If it flames (and that does happen), it could also take your house. Call me overly cautious, but to me an extra $25-$50 dollars on a psu vs. $(fill in number) lost is a no brainer.

OK, off my soapbox.

Mark

Good points. I have always said, when cutting corners on cost of a build, the PSU is not the place to do it.

 

[Season]

PSU watts are not the be-all end-all measure of a psu. Some psu makers might 😗 accidentally overstate the wattage of a psu. What you really need to evaluate is how much current (amps) are available and how many 12v rail(s) are need to produce that amperage.

The cooler master you linked is rated at 725w, but is rated as a tier 4 (of 5) supply and really supplies only about 75% of that wattage. When a psu falls into this category, it is typically due to the use of inferior components you run a larger risk of catastrophic failure. The XFX on the other hand is made by Seasonic which is without doubt the best psu money can buy. The components are top notch and the construction and design are flawless.

While either supply would run the gpu I linked, I personally will spend substantially more $$ on a psu. If a "bargain" psu goes, it could very easily take you cpu, gpu and motherboard along for the ride. If it flames (and that does happen), it could also take your house. Call me overly cautious, but to me an extra $25-$50 dollars on a psu vs. $(fill in number) lost is a no brainer.

OK, off my soapbox.

Mark

This is great, thanks for the big explanation! I totally see what you mean. I'm going to probably go for the one you linked unless I can find a good psu on the future shop site and save 50$, though I doubt that will happen. Thanks so much!

 

[markwp]

You are welcome! Game on!!