Upgrading my graphics card?

**Brosive** · 12-20-2012, 04:41 PM

I need some help, I want to upgrade my graphics card but, I am not entirely sure on what to get. The graphics card I want to upgrade to get is a Nvidia Geforce GTX 660. I need to know if their is anything else I have to buy in order not to have any issues. I already know I need a power supply but, is their anything else? One of my friends are telling me a need to buy some more fans and new case for my desktop. Do I really need that or can I just buy the graphics card and power supply. Also, I am not entirely sure if my computer supports the card. I have a Dell XPS 8500, will my computer support the card? Thanks in advance.

**Your Computer** · 12-20-2012, 07:00 PM

The Dell website (assuming http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-8500/pd) doesn't say what motherboard you have, but it shows a Radeon HD 7870 is possible, so at least you know the case will have room for the GTX 660 card. As for the fans, i think the case already has all the fans it can carry (assuming one in the front and one in the back). You can probably make do with the current airflow it provides, but if you're planning on adding more fans, you're going to need a new case.

**Brosive** · 12-20-2012, 07:16 PM

(12-20-2012, 07:00 PM)Your Computer Wrote: The Dell website (assuming http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-8500/pd) doesn't say what motherboard you have, but it shows a Radeon HD 7870 is possible, so at least you know the case will have room for the GTX 660 card. As for the fans, i think the case already has all the fans it can carry (assuming one in the front and one in the back). You can probably make do with the current airflow it provides, but if you're planning on adding more fans, you're going to need a new case.

Well, mine doesn't have a AMD Radeon HD 7870. It has a AMD Radeon HD 7570. Would that be much of a difference?

**Your Computer** · 12-20-2012, 07:37 PM

(12-20-2012, 07:16 PM)dabro Wrote: Well, mine doesn't have a AMD Radeon HD 7870. It has a AMD Radeon HD 7570. Would that be much of a difference?

No, that's irrelevant.

**crisosphinx** · 12-20-2012, 09:30 PM

(12-20-2012, 07:16 PM)dabro Wrote:
(12-20-2012, 07:00 PM)Your Computer Wrote: The Dell website (assuming http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-8500/pd) doesn't say what motherboard you have, but it shows a Radeon HD 7870 is possible, so at least you know the case will have room for the GTX 660 card. As for the fans, i think the case already has all the fans it can carry (assuming one in the front and one in the back). You can probably make do with the current airflow it provides, but if you're planning on adding more fans, you're going to need a new case.

Well, mine doesn't have a AMD Radeon HD 7870. It has a AMD Radeon HD 7570. Would that be much of a difference?

Just make sure your powersupply can handle it and that it doesn't conflict with your motherboard. Generally, you won't know this until you actually plug it in or research around the internet. I think your computer can handle it. GTX 660 might be a bit of a jump. Depends on the vram version you get. If you get the 6 gb of vram, version, then your powersupply should be over 800 watts (counting in RAM, processor, motherboard, disc drives, etc.), I'd assume.

**Brosive** · 12-20-2012, 09:41 PM

(12-20-2012, 09:30 PM)crisosphinx Wrote: Just make sure your powersupply can handle it and that it doesn't conflict with your motherboard. Generally, you won't know this until you actually plug it in or research around the internet. I think your computer can handle it. GTX 660 might be a bit of a jump. Depends on the vram version you get. If you get the 6 gb of vram, version, then your powersupply should be over 800 watts (counting in RAM, processor, motherboard, disc drives, etc.), I'd assume.

Vram means video ram right?

**Yuhaney** · 12-20-2012, 10:03 PM

2GB GPU is enough, unless you're playing on Surround system (3 or more monitors).
Too much GB, when you don't actually need it, may cause lower fps.

**TheBlastPassage** · 12-20-2012, 10:03 PM

Yes. Vram is referring to video ram

**Your Computer** · 12-20-2012, 10:15 PM

(12-20-2012, 09:30 PM)crisosphinx Wrote: If you get the 6 gb of vram, version, then your powersupply should be over 800 watts (counting in RAM, processor, motherboard, disc drives, etc.), I'd assume.

Even if he could get a 6GB GTX 660, he shouldn't need more than 550 watts.

**crisosphinx** · 12-20-2012, 10:31 PM

(12-20-2012, 10:15 PM)Your Computer Wrote:
(12-20-2012, 09:30 PM)crisosphinx Wrote: If you get the 6 gb of vram, version, then your powersupply should be over 800 watts (counting in RAM, processor, motherboard, disc drives, etc.), I'd assume.

Even if he could get a 6GB GTX 660, he shouldn't need more than 550 watts.

Well, like I said, including RAM and such. I also screwed up. I mixed the nVidia Tesla 6gb with the nVidia GTX 660 Ti 3gb. My bad about that bit.

I'd assume with a GTX 660 + at least 16gb to compliment it nicely and I'd assume he has something between a 4-8 core computer (plus if he had two monitors and never unplugged them), you'd want at least 800, especially if you run it on Max SSAO, AA, (and all other highest graphics quality). For example, and this happened recently, my girlfriends computer busted her supply due to her over powered system AND she elected to play BF3 (yeah, I know, that's WAY more intensive than Amnesia, but still).

Then again, I'm assuming he has a stronger computer, PS is probably good enough. I was just suggesting to check into it.