How Can I Upgrade MY XPS 8300?

FlewDesigns · Aug 4, 2013

Hello People,

I want to upgrade my computer to the highest it can be, I am willing to pay alot or consider a new computer, (but would prefer to just upgrade my current).

Here is all the system specs:

System Model: XPS 8300
Processor: Intel (R) Core(TM) i7-2600 CPU @ 3.4Ghz (8 CPUs) ~ 3.4ghz
RAM 16gb (The max i have heard)
HardDrive 1TB.

Display: AMD Radeon HD 6700 Series,
Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor
Approx. Total memory 741MB.

Im a designer and gamer and want to continue to play the best games and be able to edit big files, Can any1 suggest upgrades, or a affordable better performance machine?

Thanks.

getochkn · Aug 4, 2013

new PSU and Video card and you'd be fine. How much money do you have?

There isn't really a reason to ditch your CPU and get a whole new PC, for what, so you can build the latest, an I7-4770? Not a big between that and your CPU now for the $300-$400 a new MB and CPU will cost you.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/287?vs=836

FlewDesigns · Aug 4, 2013

getochkn :

First of all thanks for replying,

I just want to upgrade it so its best or affordable best, What would you suggest?
I am not a techy i dont have any knowledge in hardware, I would like your advice,

Maxime506 · Aug 4, 2013

Check out if your PSU has 2 6-pin PCI-E power conductor.

If your PSU has only one 6-pin: Then GTX-650 ti (boost) or HD 7700 series (7770/7790) is the best u could go without changing PSU.

If two, GTX 660/660 ti or HD 7800 series are the best for ya.

If u wanna go higher, u should buy a new 600W+ PSU for HD 7900 series or GTX 670/770 or higher gfx

getochkn · Aug 4, 2013

^^ The Dell XPS do have decent PSU's with 2 PCI-e connections on it, although for a more powerful card, I would upgrade the PSU as well.

As for the poster, how much money do you want to spend?

FlewDesigns · Aug 4, 2013

getochkn :

I would like to spend around $200-$400,

FlewDesigns · Aug 4, 2013

Maxime506 :

Thanks ill consider it, mabe the HD 7800 then, Although i have no knowledge of how to actualy replace it, Im sure there are information i can look up,

Maxime506 · Aug 4, 2013

According to the poster's gfx HD 6700 series I am sure the PSU has at least one 6-pin conductor.
If he's sure that his PSU has 2 connections, GTX 760 is his best choice.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-02gp42662kr

If only have one: HD 7790 is best:
1GB for not-so-heavy gaming: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-100356ocl
or 2GB if for GTA V:http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvr779oc2gd

If u wanna change PSU for future upgrade, XFX 650W PSU is a good choice:http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1650xxxb9
(Then u don't need to worry if u go straight to GTX 780 w/ this PSU)

FlewDesigns · Aug 4, 2013

Maxime506 :

Is there a way to be absolutly sure without taking it apart? because i dont know what im looking at to be quite honist.

Maxime506 · Aug 4, 2013

Just remove the side panel of your rig and u should see the inside parts and components.

If i'm not wrong, u could see the graphic card at the med-lower part of the rig. With a power conductor connected to it (it's a 6-pin one), then go find out if there is another 6-pin conductor unused.

Better take two picture and let us see. One is the inner of your rig, the other is the label of your PSU (u should easily find the label w/ some voltage and amp value on it)

getochkn · Aug 4, 2013

Your PSU does have 2 PCI-e connectors, I have a dell XPS 8000 series desktop myself. The problem is, it's not the super best PSU in the world. It's decent, Dell uses better PSU's in their XPS line than their other ones, but I would still get a new one if I was getting out of the 77xx series and into the 78xx series.

FlewDesigns · Aug 4, 2013

getochkn :

So i cant just buy a new graphics card like Maxime Suggests?,

That would mean i would have to buy both a new psu and graphics card yes? How does the PSU effect my computer, Im a real rookie and i just want it to run at its height for my designing and gaming.

Maxime506 · Aug 4, 2013

Technically yes u could just buy a gfx and plug in. But since i'm not very sure about your PSU so it would be nice if u provides us more detail about your PSU. Of course buying a new HD 7790 or GTX 650 ti boost is more conservative but may not maximize the performance. Since u got an i7 CPU at least GTX 660 or HD 7800/7900 series gfx can squeeze the max out, but both gfx may need more power supply (they all require two 6-pin conductors or better, recommend at least 500W/600W PSU)

FlewDesigns · Aug 4, 2013

Maxime506 :

Okay so i took a look, and took these 2 pics, I tihnk its 385 W my PSU, the picture should show that, i dont have a clue what im looking at so i tried to get everything in, Take a look and see if that helps,

I just want the best solution to an upgrade

Maxime506 · Aug 4, 2013

First thanks for your pictures.

It looks like your psu is a 3-rail 12V output design. The total amps of the three 12V rails are 42. So as GTX 760 has 170W TDP and gfx are supplied w/ 12V rail(s) power output it may draw about 15-18 amps, as your CPU has 95W TDP, your other parts has around 100W, so your PSU is moderately enough to power up gfx like GTX 660/660ti/760 or HD 7800(7850/7870) series.

Still because of the angle I could not see what exactly the power line to your PSU. Here is a simple way to help. Unplug the power connection of the graphic card, and find out if there is another power line from your PSU is EXACTLY the same as the one u unplug. Both of these power conductor should has 6 pins.

getochkn · Aug 4, 2013

I have nearly the same PSU, 460W version as above and it has 2 PCI-e connections.

FlewDesigns · Aug 4, 2013

Maxime506 :

I tried to do what you said but i am honistly ignorant to this, I followed the wire up to the graphics card and they all joined into the card but i didnt know if i could pull the connector out, it wasnt budging easily so i didnt want to force it, I have taken 2 more images which may help a little? I hope. If not ill try get someone who knows more thne me to look at it,

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Maxime506 · Aug 4, 2013

Man, I appreciate your diligency but none of the photos are of the graphic card. First pic is mainly HDD part and second is mainly PSU. U'd better take the picture of the graphic card which could help.

And if u couldn't even disconnect the graphic card, how dare could u change/upgrade it? U could ask some of your computer savvy friend for help if u'r so not sure. Usually OEM pre-build machines have higher quality requirement of their rigs and every port is tightly connected, so there is no way that it will be budged easily.

FlewDesigns · Aug 5, 2013

Maxime506 :

K i re-took two more photos, I actualy cant see it having two but there is a small slot beside the card, take a look now,

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Green AgentTurtle · Aug 5, 2013

Your GPU is fine but if your gonna upgrade it the rest of the people are right, you need a better psu
Your CPU is perfect, anything higher than what you have will make no big difference at all
But for max performance i would consider you getting a 250gb ssd. (samsung 840 = $160) or any kind of ssd if possible
or & you can get a hybrid which opens up prgrams just as fast as ssd. and it cost a few extra dollars than hdd. (read/write speed are slow) since you are editing, rendering will be faster with ssd.
only get trusted psu brands such as Corsair OCZ or Seasonic. Get a modular if your into cable management. 750watts should be around $105
And Radeon 7850 is faster than your current and costs around $250. 7870 is a bit more expensive around $280. and get any 7900 series for a increase in performance but it costs in the $300 & up line. but again 7850 will still give you ultra with 60+ frames in bf3.
160+105+250=515... over you budget. You can get a corsair 500 watts Corsair for $50 and u can save $50. but its not futureproof. any higher gpu you have to change psu. I suggest you keep the SSD and you could lower your GPU but it wont do 60+ frames in bf3 if your gonna save $$. so again
Samsung 840 ssd 250gb
Radeon 7850
750watts corsair/seasonic psu
=$515 this is what i recomend

Maxime506 · Aug 5, 2013

Man, HD 7850 is only around 140-150 bucks and HD 7870 is around 180-200 bucks in US. Don't scare the poster.

For @Flewdesigns: The small slot may be a pci x1 slot, if u don't have dedicated network adapter or sth the slot is useless. AgentTurtle is right for some points such as the performance of HD 7800 series but still your PSU is not that bad, it could handle HD 7790 easily and HD 7800 series or even GTX 760 if u could find out how many 6-pin connections u have.

But if u don't mind, get a corsair, XFX or Seasonic 750W modular PSU (Such high-end PSU is surely has two 6-pin or two 6+2 pin power conductor to support high end GPU like HD 7970 or GTX 780) if u'r really not sure about your PSU. As an OEM PSU u could try to sell it at a moderate price.

Green AgentTurtle · Aug 5, 2013

who cares about pin connectors, He's getting a new PSU one way or another. And all good PSU has enough pin connectors for any good GPU.

FlewDesigns · Aug 5, 2013

Maxime506 :

Would the HD 7800 be significantly better then the 6700 i currently have? will i notice differences, is it worth it?

Maxime506 · Aug 5, 2013

Yup. HD 6700 is obsolete now. HD 7750, using GCN architecture, beats 80W HD 6770 now. So HD 7850 is much stronger than HD 7750, the answer is clearer than ever.

Also u would significantly notice the difference esp when u play large games in high/max settings. For only 150 bucks around, HD 7850 proves its value. (and HD 7870 even outperforms GTX 660)

FlewDesigns · Aug 5, 2013

Maxime506 :

So i wont have to replace the PSU for that? If so ill purchase the 7870,

Could you suggest the best one for me? The radeon i presume?

this one?? http://www.amazon.co.uk/VTX3D-Radeon-7870-Tahiti-Graphics/dp/B00AM3A7JY/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1375716862&sr=1-3&keywords=HD+7870

How Can I Upgrade MY XPS 8300?

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