Is the Nvidia GTX 970 Compatible with the Dell XPS 8700?

Rankin McKechnie · Feb 23, 2015

Hi, this is my first thread here, and I have a GPU question. Would the Nvidia GTX 970 work with the Dell XPS 8700 PC? And yes, I already am aware that there are already a few threads with the same question, but the reason why I say "compatibility" is one thing I read on the specs sheet:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/78u3d3y6c86s0ms/Untitled.png?dl=0

It says "Up to 2 GB (GDDR5)" for discrete video memory. This concerns me because the GTX 970 is 4GB in video RAM, twice the maximum amount listed. But what I want to know is, could this GPU potentially work with the XPS 8700? (With a larger power supply of course). Would there be any BIOS or motherboard compatibility issues? If it helps, I plan on using Windows 8 (and then Windows 10) for the Operating system.

terry4536 · Feb 23, 2015

Sure, the only limitations are if the card will fit in the case, if you have a an available PCI express x 16 slot, and if you have an adequate power supply. The GTX 970 requires a minimum of a 500 watt power supply. It may be necessary to upgrade the power supply. Dell is known for using small wattage power supplies.

CrayZE · Feb 23, 2015

Well, I have a Dell XPS 8700 (Special Edition) and it works perfect. Ive had no problems with it or anything, and it works fine on full load.

If you decide to get it, update yout BIOS for it to work.

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER02722955M/1/XPS_8700_BIOS_A10.EXE

If you have the stock PSU, youll need to upgrade it as it does not have the right components.

This is the PSU I upgraded to and it works excellent.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-hcg620m

Oh yeah, I BARELY got the card to fit into the case, but I had to unplug the optical (DC/DVD) drive to fit it, but I never use it so I was okay with it.

andy_Man · Feb 23, 2015

That is the dumbest thing I have ever seen. There is nothing that limits the amount of ram on a video card except the video card.

Rankin McKechnie · Feb 23, 2015

terry4536 :

Ah, I see. But what does "Up to 2 GB (GDDR5)" mean? Or is it just Dell hinting that high end graphics (i.e. 3 GB+) won't work with the default power supply?

CrayZE · Feb 23, 2015

Oh yeah, I BARELY got the card to fit into the case, but I had to unplug the optical (DC/DVD) drive to fit it, but I never use it so I was okay with it.

andy_Man · Feb 23, 2015

It's them not knowing what they are talking about. Amount of ram has never been a good indicator of power needs for a graphics card. You are fine as long as your PSU can power it, and you have room in the case. It looks like you will need a new PSU judging by the other post.

andy_Man · Feb 23, 2015

You can find gtx 970's that are shorter for about the same price, I think asus and gigabyte both have a version out. The cooling won't be the same, but Maxwell chips (gtx 970) aren't that hot.

terry4536 · Feb 23, 2015

It may be a limitation of the software that was shipped with the Dell. For example, here are the RAM limitations of various Windows software.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa366778(v=vs.85).aspx

terry4536 · Feb 23, 2015

I edited the last reply to include the link to the Windows Ram limits.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa366778(v=vs.85).aspx

Rankin McKechnie · Feb 23, 2015

terry4536 :

So if I am understanding correctly, if I have more than 4GB of RAM in the motherboard, and my Windows OS is 64 bit, (in this case Windows 8) then the card will be compatible?

Rankin McKechnie · Feb 23, 2015

andy_Man :

Could you give me the link to the smallest one?

terry4536 · Feb 23, 2015

There iare short MSI, Gigabyte, and Asus GTX 970's. But they have just a single cooling fan, which will limit the cooling performance.

Here are two I found in stock.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125706
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121912

terry4536 · Feb 23, 2015

So if I am understanding correctly, if I have more than 4GB of RAM in the motherboard, and my Windows OS is 64 bit, (in this case Windows 8) then the card will be compatible?

I think that is correct. I know of no other possibility for that statement. The VRAM and the controller for the VRAM is on the graphics card (to the best of my knowledge). The integrated graphics on the motherboard (and processor) is effectively replaced by the graphics card.

Rankin McKechnie · Feb 23, 2015

terry4536 :

They seem fairly small, good for a more compact computer. Would you recommend the Asus one or the Gigabyte one? As for low-end air cooling, it probably won't be much of a problem since I don't play any super power-hungry games.

terry4536 · Feb 23, 2015

I would probably go with the Asus. But there isn't that much difference between the two.

CrayZE · Feb 23, 2015

Make sure you have the A10 (new version) of the bios installed too or it wont boot, the link is in my first post.

bigloufox1981 · Mar 31, 2015

I have been running a 970 GTX reference card on my Dell XPS 8700 for the last 3 months. The stock PSU is fine as long as you do not overclock and have a reference card. You definitely can upgrade the PSU, but it is not necessary. I play BF4 and BF Hardline, maxed out for hrs at a time, no issues.
Just update the BIOS first, and be prepared to wait while to get a post, it kinda freaked me out after starting up with the new BIOS and card. It took 5 min to post and get back to a desktop.

Is the Nvidia GTX 970 Compatible with the Dell XPS 8700?

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