Dell XPS 720- specs below. Looking for a good graphics card upgrade for this machine

Brad Terhune · Dec 8, 2014

Hey y'all. I've had this XPS 720 for a while and really enjoyed it. But I'd like to run Dragon Age:Inquisition on it and the graphics card needs to be at least 2 GBs and I'm running at 1. Wondering if anyone could recommend a card? Not as great with hardware as I should be and wasn't sure what the PCI connectors would support. Please see the information below I gathered from CPU-Z.

Binaries
CPU-Z version 1.71.1.x64

Processors
Number of processors 1
Number of threads 2

APICs
Processor 0
-- Core 0
-- Thread 0 0
-- Core 1
-- Thread 0 1

Timers
ACPI timer 3.580 MHz
HPET timer 25.000 MHz
Perf timer 2.930 MHz
Sys timer 1.000 KHz

Processors Information
Processor 1 ID = 0
Number of cores 2 (max 2)
Number of threads 2 (max 2)
Name Intel Core 2 Duo E6850
Codename Conroe
Specification Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6850 @ 3.00GHz
Package (platform ID) Socket 775 LGA (0x0)
CPUID 6.F.B
Extended CPUID 6.F
Core Stepping G0
Technology 65 nm
Core Speed 2996.1 MHz
Multiplier x Bus Speed 9.0 x 332.9 MHz
Rated Bus speed 1331.6 MHz
Stock frequency 3000 MHz
Instructions sets MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, EM64T, VT-x
L1 Data cache 2 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L1 Instruction cache 2 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L2 cache 4096 KBytes, 16-way set associative, 64-byte line size
FID/VID Control yes
FID range 6.0x - 9.0x
Max VID 1.313 V

Chipset
Northbridge NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI SPP rev. A2
Southbridge NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI MCP rev. A2
Graphic Interface PCI-Express
PCI-E Link Width x16
PCI-E Max Link Width x16
Memory Type DDR2
Memory Size 8 GBytes
Channels Dual
Memory Frequency 399.5 MHz (5:6)
CAS# latency (CL) 5.0
RAS# to CAS# delay (tRCD) 5
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 5
Cycle Time (tRAS) 18
Bank Cycle Time (tRC) 23
Command Rate (CR) 2T

Memory SPD
DIMM # 1
SMBus address 0x50
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Crucial Technology (7F7F7F7F7F9BFFFF0000)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number BL25664AA80E.16FH
Serial number 801359DB
Manufacturing date Week 165/Year 165
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP yes (0 profiles)
XMP no
AMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 4.0-5-5-15-20 @ 333 MHz
JEDEC #2 5.0-5-5-18-23 @ 400 MHz

DIMM # 2
SMBus address 0x51
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Crucial Technology (7F7F7F7F7F9BFFFF0000)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number BL25664AA80E.16FH
Serial number 801359C6
Manufacturing date Week 165/Year 165
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP yes (0 profiles)
XMP no
AMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 4.0-5-5-15-20 @ 333 MHz
JEDEC #2 5.0-5-5-18-23 @ 400 MHz

DIMM # 3
SMBus address 0x52
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Crucial Technology (7F7F7F7F7F9BFFFF0000)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number BL25664AA80E.16FH
Serial number 80136A05
Manufacturing date Week 165/Year 165
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP yes (0 profiles)
XMP no
AMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 4.0-5-5-15-20 @ 333 MHz
JEDEC #2 5.0-5-5-18-23 @ 400 MHz

DIMM # 4
SMBus address 0x53
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Crucial Technology (7F7F7F7F7F9BFFFF0000)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number BL25664AA80E.16FH
Serial number 80135EBE
Manufacturing date Week 165/Year 165
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP yes (0 profiles)
XMP no
AMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 4.0-5-5-15-20 @ 333 MHz
JEDEC #2 5.0-5-5-18-23 @ 400 MHz

Monitoring
Mainboard Model 0YU822 (0x0000017A - 0x005DAA40)

LPCIO
Hardware Monitors
Hardware monitor AMD ADL
Voltage 0 0.90 Volts [0x384] (VIN0)
Temperature 0 42°C (107°F) [0x2A] (TMPIN0)

PCI Devices
Description Host Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 0 (0x00), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03A1
Revision ID 0xA2

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 0 (0x00), function 1 (0x01)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03AC
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 0 (0x00), function 2 (0x02)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03AA
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 0 (0x00), function 3 (0x03)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03A9
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 0 (0x00), function 4 (0x04)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03AB
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 0 (0x00), function 5 (0x05)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03A8
Revision ID 0xA2

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 0 (0x00), function 6 (0x06)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03B5
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 0 (0x00), function 7 (0x07)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03B4
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 1 (0x01), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03AD
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 1 (0x01), function 1 (0x01)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03AE
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 1 (0x01), function 2 (0x02)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03AF
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 1 (0x01), function 3 (0x03)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03B0
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 1 (0x01), function 4 (0x04)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03B1
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 1 (0x01), function 5 (0x05)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03B2
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 1 (0x01), function 6 (0x06)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03B3
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 2 (0x02), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03B6
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 2 (0x02), function 1 (0x01)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03BC
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 2 (0x02), function 2 (0x02)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03BA
Revision ID 0xA1

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 3 (0x03), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x03B7
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 9 (0x09), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x0369
Revision ID 0xA1

Description PCI to ISA Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 10 (0x0A), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x0360
Revision ID 0xA2

Description SMBus Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 10 (0x0A), function 1 (0x01)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x0368
Revision ID 0xA2

Description USB Controller (OHCI)
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 11 (0x0B), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x036C
Revision ID 0xA1

Description USB 2.0 Controller (EHCI)
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 11 (0x0B), function 1 (0x01)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x036D
Revision ID 0xA2

Description IDE Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 13 (0x0D), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x036E
Revision ID 0xA1

Description RAID Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 14 (0x0E), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x037F
Revision ID 0xA2

Description RAID Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 14 (0x0E), function 1 (0x01)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x037F
Revision ID 0xA3

Description RAID Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 14 (0x0E), function 2 (0x02)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x037F
Revision ID 0xA4

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 15 (0x0F), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x0370
Revision ID 0xA2

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 19 (0x13), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x0376
Revision ID 0xA2

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 22 (0x16), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x0378
Revision ID 0xA2

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 23 (0x17), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x0375
Revision ID 0xA2

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 24 (0x18), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x0377
Revision ID 0xA2

Description Network Controller
Location bus 2 (0x02), device 2 (0x02), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x1814
Model ID 0x0301
Revision ID 0x00

Description Audio device
Location bus 2 (0x02), device 4 (0x04), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x1102
Model ID 0x0005
Revision ID 0x00

Description Communication Device
Location bus 2 (0x02), device 5 (0x05), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x14F1
Model ID 0x2F20
Revision ID 0x00

Description OHCI FireWire Controller
Location bus 2 (0x02), device 10 (0x0A), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x104C
Model ID 0x8023
Revision ID 0x00

Description Ethernet Controller
Location bus 5 (0x05), device 0 (0x00), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x14E4
Model ID 0x167A
Revision ID 0x02

Description VGA Controller
Location bus 6 (0x06), device 0 (0x00), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x1002
Model ID 0x6758
Revision ID 0x00

Description Multimedia device
Location bus 6 (0x06), device 0 (0x00), function 1 (0x01)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x1002
Model ID 0xAA90
Revision ID 0x00

DMI
DMI BIOS
vendor Dell Inc.
version A06
date 04/01/2008
ROM size 512 KB

DMI System Information
manufacturer Dell Inc.
product Dell XPS720
version unknown
serial JP1R2F1
UUID {4C4C4544-0050-3110-8052-CAC04F324631}
SKU unknown
family unknown

DMI Baseboard
vendor Dell Inc.
model 0YU822
revision A00
serial ..CN137407AI01HX.

DMI System Enclosure
manufacturer Dell Inc.
chassis type Tower
chassis serial JP1R2F1

DMI Processor
manufacturer Intel
model unknown
clock speed 3000.0 MHz
FSB speed 1333.0 MHz
multiplier 2.5x

DMI Port Connector
designation KYBD (internal)
port type Keyboard Port
connector PS/2

DMI Port Connector
designation MOUSE (internal)
port type Mouse Port
connector PS/2

DMI Port Connector
designation USB1 (internal)
port type USB
connector Access Bus (USB)

DMI Port Connector
designation USB2 (internal)
port type USB
connector Access Bus (USB)

DMI Port Connector
designation USB3 (internal)
port type USB
connector Access Bus (USB)

DMI Port Connector
designation USB4 (internal)
port type USB
connector Access Bus (USB)

DMI Port Connector
designation USB5 (internal)
port type USB
connector Access Bus (USB)

DMI Port Connector
designation USB6 (internal)
port type USB
connector Access Bus (USB)

DMI Port Connector
designation USB7 (internal)
port type USB
connector Access Bus (USB)

DMI Port Connector
designation USB8 (internal)
port type USB
connector Access Bus (USB)

DMI Port Connector
designation ENET (internal)
port type Network Port
connector RJ-45

DMI Port Connector
designation front HP-out (internal)
port type Audio Port
connector Mini Jack (headphones)

DMI Port Connector
designation front Mic (internal)
port type Audio Port
connector Mini Jack (headphones)

DMI Port Connector
designation back Line-out (internal)
port type Audio Port
connector Mini Jack (headphones)

DMI Port Connector
designation back Mic (internal)
port type Audio Port
connector Mini Jack (headphones)

DMI Port Connector
designation back Center/LFE (internal)
port type Audio Port
connector Mini Jack (headphones)

DMI Port Connector
designation back Side-Spkr (internal)
port type Audio Port
connector Mini Jack (headphones)

DMI Port Connector
designation back Rear Surround (internal)
port type Audio Port
connector Mini Jack (headphones)

DMI Port Connector
designation back Line-in (internal)
port type Audio Port
connector Mini Jack (headphones)

DMI Port Connector
designation IEEE-1394 Front (internal)
port type Firewire (IEEE P1394)
connector IEEE 1394

DMI Port Connector
designation IEEE-1394 Back (internal)
port type Firewire (IEEE P1394)
connector IEEE 1394

DMI Extension Slot
designation SLOT1
type A5
populated no

DMI Extension Slot
designation SLOT2
type A5
populated yes

DMI Extension Slot
designation SLOT3
type PCI
width 32 bits
populated yes

DMI Extension Slot
designation SLOT4
type A5
populated no

DMI Extension Slot
designation SLOT5
type PCI
width 32 bits
populated yes

DMI Extension Slot
designation SLOT6
type PCI
width 32 bits
populated yes

DMI Extension Slot
designation SLOT7
type A5
populated yes

DMI OEM Strings
string[0] www.dell.com

DMI Physical Memory Array
location Motherboard
usage System Memory
correction Single-bit ECC
max capacity 8192 MBytes
max# of devices 4

DMI Memory Device
designation DIMM_1
format DIMM
type DDR
total width 64 bits
data width 64 bits
size 2048 MBytes

DMI Memory Device
designation DIMM_3
format DIMM
type DDR
total width 64 bits
data width 64 bits
size 2048 MBytes

DMI Memory Device
designation DIMM_2
format DIMM
type DDR
total width 64 bits
data width 64 bits
size 2048 MBytes

DMI Memory Device
designation DIMM_4
format DIMM
type DDR
total width 64 bits
data width 64 bits
size 2048 MBytes

Graphics
Number of adapters 1

Graphic APIs
API ATI I/O
API ADL SDK

Display Adapters
Display adapter 0
Name AMD Radeon HD 6670
Board Manufacturer GIGABYTE Technology
Memory size 1024 MB
PCI device bus 6 (0x6), device 0 (0x0), function 0 (0x0)
Vendor ID 0x1002 (0x1458)
Model ID 0x6758 (0x2545)
Performance Level 0
Core clock 100.0 MHz
Memory clock 150.0 MHz
Performance Level 1
Core clock 400.0 MHz
Memory clock 800.0 MHz
Performance Level 2
Core clock 800.0 MHz
Memory clock 800.0 MHz

Win32_VideoController AdapterRAM = 0x40000000 (1073741824)
Win32_VideoController DriverVersion = 8.980.0.0
Win32_VideoController DriverDate = 06/11/2012

Software
Windows Version Microsoft Windows 7 (6.1) 64-bit Service Pack 1 (Build 7601)
DirectX Version 11.0

Thanks.
Brad

blue17echo · Dec 8, 2014

If you want to play DA:I, it might be time for a straight upgrade. Dragon Age: Inquisition does not support dual core systems. There may be a patch, or a user hack, but that core 2 duo is starting to get pretty long in the tooth. Even as a late gen Core 2, that's still a 7 year old chip, and the jump from the core 2 line to the i3/i5/i7 line was one of the bigger in recent memory.

Basically, there's no GPU that will make DA:I run on your rig, but if you're looking for a cheap 2gb chip, there are a handful of r7 260x brands floating around with 2gb of VRAM for around $120. Your motherboard should support PCI-E no problem-- AGP hasn't been a thing for much longer than that, and modern video cards still run fine on old versions of PCI-E.

bradterhune · Dec 8, 2014

Yeah- I had noticed that the processor didn't stack up either. Guess I was hoping that it didn't matter. Thanks for the information.
Brad

Tyler Mann · Dec 9, 2014

it would also help to know the motherboard model and manufacturer as an example i have a Biostar Hi-Fi A88W 3D so it can be looked up also upgrading processor would be a good idea too.

Brad Terhune · Dec 10, 2014

Regarding the motherboard, I think the make and model is:
Dell Inc.
model 0YU822
revision A00
serial ..CN137407AI01HX.

I'd be cool with upgrading the motherboard at a bit of expense or upgrading the processor on this board even though it only goes to 8 GB of RAM.
Anyone have thoughts on whether its tenable?
Thanks.
Brad

hang-the-9 · Dec 10, 2014

You are just about at the limit of upgrading that system for games.

If the system will run a Q9550 CPU, that would be a good upgrade but may not be good enough. If you can find a fast quad core CPU cheap enough (I'd say around $50 may be worth it) try that. A new CPU will mean a new motherboard and RAM which is over $300 for a gaming setup. The catch is that you may spend that $50 or whatever on just a CPU upgrade and it wont run well and you are stuck with spending that money.

You should be able to see the other parts and get it back though if you do a full upgrade.

You already have 8 GB of RAM, that is plenty so at least that part is OK if you just upgrade the CPU.

bradterhune · Dec 10, 2014

Has anyone upgraded the motherboard on a 720? I had done some previous research into this and recall the case being difficult?

fji666 · Jul 13, 2016

HI. ive had the dell xps 720 for 9 years (bought in 2007)and it runs all games,including dragon age inquisition with the gtx 550 ti and 4gb ram, it also runs doom 4 and the witcher wild hunt.....cant upgrade motherboard , I've finally, after 9 years moved onto another rig, but only after the graphics card is overheating and the architecture doesn't recognise any other newer graphics card.( i installed 8 other cards and it saw none of them, Best buy ever though.

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Dell XPS 720- specs below. Looking for a good graphics card upgrade for this machine

Brad Terhune

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hang-the-9

blue17echo

Reputable

bradterhune

Reputable

Tyler Mann

Reputable

Brad Terhune

Reputable

hang-the-9

Titan

bradterhune

Reputable

fji666

Commendable

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