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Dell XPS 420 Upgrade

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  • Dell Studio Xps
  • RAM
  • Intel
  • Components
  • Memory Upgrade
Last response: in Components
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July 15, 2014 10:57:04 AM

Currently, I'm running a Dell XPS 420 with an Intel Core 2 Quad 6600, 8600 GTS, 4GB of RAM and a 375w PSU, I've already purchased a GTX 560 Ti (2GB Model) and have a purchase in waiting for a Corsair VX550w to power the GTX 560. Also I plan on purchasing an Intel QX9650 to maximize my CPU performance (and avoid bottlenecks). Will also upgrade the RAM to 8GB after updating the BIOS. The MOBO is an Intel x38 which unfortunately doesn't support DDR3 RAM. I want to use the PC for gaming but primarily for 3D Surface modelling and 3D rendering and would like to know if these upgrades are possible and if they are, would they be enough for the gaming of today and 3D modelling.

More about : dell xps 420 upgrade

July 15, 2014 11:19:34 AM

Considering you've upgraded the CPU as far as that motherboard chipset allows, your biggest limiting factor for 3d modeling/rendering is going to be the memory since its DDR2 and the GPU. What type of 3d modeling/rendering are you going to attempt to do? Depending on the 3d work that's being done, consumer cards meant for gaming/desktop use are not the same as workstation cards specifically made for graphic design/3d work.
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July 15, 2014 11:31:42 AM

vagrancyx said:
Considering you've upgraded the CPU as far as that motherboard chipset allows, your biggest limiting factor for 3d modeling/rendering is going to be the memory since its DDR2 and the GPU. What type of 3d modeling/rendering are you going to attempt to do? Depending on the 3d work that's being done, consumer cards meant for gaming/desktop use are not the same as workstation cards specifically made for graphic design/3d work.


The modeling/rendering software is Autodesk Alias/Showcase respecitively, and small to large size surface models
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July 15, 2014 11:44:34 AM

Ben D said:
vagrancyx said:
Considering you've upgraded the CPU as far as that motherboard chipset allows, your biggest limiting factor for 3d modeling/rendering is going to be the memory since its DDR2 and the GPU. What type of 3d modeling/rendering are you going to attempt to do? Depending on the 3d work that's being done, consumer cards meant for gaming/desktop use are not the same as workstation cards specifically made for graphic design/3d work.


The modeling/rendering software is Autodesk Alias/Showcase respecitively, and small to large size surface models


Hmm not too sure on that one. For Autodesk I''m using AutoCAD, Review and Civil3D. For our base workstations we typically use for newer builds quadro k2000 or for older builds the AMD Firepro w5000. As far as the 560 you might be okay but its certainly not meant for 3D work.

That's really the only factor I'm concerned about. We've fixed up some older dell optiplex towers here with Q6600 core 2 quads and used 8Gb or DDR2-DDR3 memory and its done okay..but we've not skimped on the cards.
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July 16, 2014 1:01:51 PM

vagrancyx said:
Ben D said:
vagrancyx said:
Considering you've upgraded the CPU as far as that motherboard chipset allows, your biggest limiting factor for 3d modeling/rendering is going to be the memory since its DDR2 and the GPU. What type of 3d modeling/rendering are you going to attempt to do? Depending on the 3d work that's being done, consumer cards meant for gaming/desktop use are not the same as workstation cards specifically made for graphic design/3d work.


The modeling/rendering software is Autodesk Alias/Showcase respecitively, and small to large size surface models


Hmm not too sure on that one. For Autodesk I''m using AutoCAD, Review and Civil3D. For our base workstations we typically use for newer builds quadro k2000 or for older builds the AMD Firepro w5000. As far as the 560 you might be okay but its certainly not meant for 3D work.

That's really the only factor I'm concerned about. We've fixed up some older dell optiplex towers here with Q6600 core 2 quads and used 8Gb or DDR2-DDR3 memory and its done okay..but we've not skimped on the cards.


Yeah I've just done a bit of research and found that the MOBO does support DDR3 RAM up to 1333Mhz so yeah now the problem is just the graphics card, I was made aware of the compatibility issues with gaming graphics cards and the Alias Software however after using the software on my Lenovo Y580 (GTX 660M) it would seem that the problems aren't too common.
The main reason for me making this thread was to confirm if all these parts were compatible and I think I've done that, maybe not 100% sure on the PSU but it should work.

Thanks for the help
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July 16, 2014 1:43:03 PM

375watt PSU might be a stretch but well dell cases..you're kinda SOL in terms of swapping it for a traditional PSU. I've upgraded dell cases in the past but never messed with swapping for a stronger PSU. Good luck with it all tho. glad I could be of some help!
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