Upgrading Alienware Graphics Card

agorton · Oct 22, 2014

Hi

I bought an alienware pc from dell back in 2009 and want to upgrade the graphics card and ram but am unsure which graphics card it can support these days. Below are my pc specs. Is anyone able to advise which card(s) and ram i can go for?

Base
Alienware Aurora Standard Cosmic Black Chassis
Memory
6GB 1066MHz (3x2GB) Tri Channel Memory
Keyboard
Alienware Multimedia Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)
Monitor
Display Not Included
Video Card
1GB nVidia® GeForce™ GTS 240 graphics card
Hard Drive
500GB (7200RPM) SATA Hard Drive
Microsoft Operating System
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64bit- English
Mouse
Alienware Optical Mouse
Optical Devices
24X DVD+/- RW Optical Drive (DVD & CD read and write)
Sound Cards
Integrated HDA 7.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Shipping Documents
English - Documentation with UK/Ire Power cord
Gedis Bundle Reference
D11AWA01
Standard Warranty
1 year of coverage included with your PC
Enhanced Service Packs
1 year of coverage included with your PC
Order Information
Alienware Aurora DT Order - UK
Processor
Intel? Core? i7 Processor 920 (2.66GHz, 8MB cache, 4.8GT/sec)

thanks

Xibyth · Oct 22, 2014

In terms of memory upgrades you will want to stick with a triple channel kit, it's not very cost effective as 6GB is decent for gaming and shouldn't hold you back. The average cost for a kit of 12GB which would be the only other way to go is around $124 USD.

Upgrading your GPU would be a huge boost in gaming performance though. I would need to know what kind of budget you have set, and what resolution is your display?

tomr4lph · Oct 22, 2014

You'd also need to tell us what power supply you have, e.g. If you have a 200W PSU there's no point suggesting a GTX 980

agorton · Oct 22, 2014

Budget isnt really an issue. Im not sure on my resolution but i believe the alienware aurora was shipped with an 875W PSU (in europe) as im based in the UK.

thanks

IndyAJD · Oct 22, 2014

As far as a GPU goes, go with the GTX 970. Its the best card out there for the money right now, and your CPU shouldn't hold it back much in most games.

agorton · Oct 22, 2014

Awesome, thanks for the suggestion

Xibyth · Oct 22, 2014

I highly doubt he has changed it, he is running the late 2009 ALX model with an 875w power supply.

agorton · Oct 22, 2014

Can i revise my answer on budget

Is there a cheaper option than the GTX 970?

Xibyth · Oct 22, 2014

I agree with indy, though knowing your monitor resolution would likely save some money, the 970 will be among the top contenders for a few years now and will greatly improver performance over what your running right now.

Xibyth · Oct 22, 2014

Well there is the 2GB version of the 760, but if you need to upgrade in 2 years you will end up spending 35% more. You also actually have a really nice system, minus the GPU, it would be like having a Ferrari with a vw bugs alternator.

nick779 · Oct 22, 2014

agorton :

If you cant afford a 970 stick with a GTX 770, R9 280X or a GTX 760

agorton · Oct 22, 2014

Good stuff. I might go with the 760 as all i really do is only play a racing sim online which isnt the most heavily graphic sapping game out there but my card is beginning to struggle with their graphical updates now.

IndyAJD · Oct 22, 2014

I have the 760 and it works great for most games. If all you do is play an online racing sim, go with that. You could even go with the R9 270X which you can get for $150.

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