Help Upgrading Alienware X51 Graphics Card

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38devand

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Okay so I've seen other people have asked this question but I can't help but want to ask as well just to be 'really' sure. I always get nervous when buying stuff for my pc, but I have been having problems running some newer games and I need to upgrade.

Here is copy pasted info from Speccy:

Operating System
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
CPU
Intel Core i7 3770 @ 3.40GHz 54 °C
Ivy Bridge 22nm Technology
RAM
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz (11-11-11-28)
Motherboard
Alienware 06G6JW (CPU 1) 28 °C
Graphics
E241i-B1 (1920x1080@60Hz)
1535MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 (NVIDIA) 45 °C
Storage
1863GB Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH164 ATA Device (SATA) 38 °C
Optical Drives
DTSOFT Virtual CdRom Device
HL-DT-ST DVDRWBD CA40N ATA Device
Audio
High Definition Audio Device

I looked through the inside of my tower and couldn't find any sticker like I've read that is supposed to be displayed for the PSU info, but took a look at my AC/DC adapter and the only info on it that I could make out was this:

AC/DC Adapter

Input: 100-240v ~ 4.4A 50-60Hz
Output: 19.5v - 16.9A

And here is a link to the graphics card that I was thinking about buying: http://amzn.to/1J1PVYt

Will there be a problem with me using that card? I selected it because, after looking at the alienware website, that particular card, the 960, is the card that is used in the top of the line tier of X51 pc's that are available to purchase today. I figured that it would work because of that but I need to know for sure.

I love my pc and have a pretty good grasp on most software but I have never been the most knowledgeable when it comes to PC hardware. Please any help would be very appreciated!
 
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Woody1999
If you can run a GTX 660 (a 140W TDP) then you should easily run a GTX 960, a much more powerful card with a 120W TDP. I would recommend getting the full sized version from EVGA though, the single fan variants are louder and hotter than double or triple fan options.

Woody
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Woody1999

Woody1999

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If you can run a GTX 660 (a 140W TDP) then you should easily run a GTX 960, a much more powerful card with a 120W TDP. I would recommend getting the full sized version from EVGA though, the single fan variants are louder and hotter than double or triple fan options.

Woody
 
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38devand

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Okay that's some good news to hear so far...

Do you think a full size version with double fan will fit within the case though if a gtx 660 was in there previously?
 
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38devand

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Okay yeah I believe it looks like a full size 660 from what I could tell. I guess I should be fine, but I'll measure it and find the length of the full size 960 as well just to make sure.
 
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Woody1999

Woody1999

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May I ask why? Blowers are loud coolers that don't cool particularly effectively.

Woody
 
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Resurrectionist

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"A lot of hardware in a SSF case is not a problem. The problem is cooling it sufficiently including the motherboard itself. In most normal pc's air is the cooling medium of choice and that requires enough space for the cooling channels. And when it comes to the high-end pc's the amount of heat the GPU and CPU output including the power supply is huge and for all of that to remain in normal operating temperatures there must be a very smart and deliberate design otherwise some components would overheat. So small-form factor is generally a problem of sufficient airflow to cool the components."

Blower style. Nothing gets recirculated inside the case

I'm interested to hear the results of your install.


AlienAutopsy Report

10396%20Fire%20Strike.jpg~original
 
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38devand

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Yeah the 660 was the card that came with the pc when i originally ordered it from alienware. so if it does indeed require less power and heat then it sounds like I should be fine. I guess I'll find out once it comes in the mail sometime next week and I give it a test run (fingers crossed)
 
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Woody1999

Woody1999

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Can you quickly open up your case and tell us about the graphics card? Is the cooler sealed around the PCB to direct air out the back of the case (with one fan near the end) or does it have multiple fans all blowing down onto the PCB?

Woody
 
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38devand

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Lol sorry gonna have to dumb things down a bit. PCB?
 
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38devand

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It looks to be a single fan that is enclosed around the PSU that I'm guessing is blowing air out away from the card. And the 960 double fan looks to be enclosed around the PSU as well. Does the double fain mean that it is blowing air onto the PSU or away?
 
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Woody1999

Woody1999

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There are two kinds of graphics card cooler. The open air cooler blows air directly onto the heatsinks connected to the GPU, being the much more efficient and quieter cooler, but at the cost of heat being exhausted back into the case. The blower cooler has a heatsink encased in a nearly airtight seal around the PCB, and a fan at the end. The fan blows air into the "chamber" which can only go past the heatsink and exhausted out of the vents at the back of the card. This is loud and ineffective, but it exhausts heat out of the back of your case. See this video to help you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVY_tNJXUIk

Woody
 
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38devand

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Hmm okay. From what I can tell from looking at the card in my machine it very much looks to be a blower style card. And I haven't had any problems with it since getting my PC. And from the pics that I've seen of the 960 it looks to be enclosed as well, so a blower. And since from what I've heard it seems the 960 uses even less power than the 660 I'm gonna just take the chance and get it. From that video he mentions how coolers are generally much bigger and I dont really have a choice then because the x51 is a pretty compact design and there isn't any wiggle room at all inside there.
 
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38devand

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Okay so FYI for anyone in my same situation - don't get the double fan evga 960 - it is about half an inch too long - It was very disappointing to say the least but what I've had to do is return the double fan for a refund and I've gone instead with the single fan evga 2gb 960 single fan. I'm crossing my fingers that it will work, but I don't foresee any issues as its much shorter.
 
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38devand

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Nah you still helped. I just got the smaller 960 with single fan yesterday and it works great! It is a tad louder than the 660 but I'll deal with it. It was ridiculous how the dual fan couldn't fit. The x51 just has a really crappy casing. I'll never buy a dell/alienware again. I should have learned my lesson before but... Nope. Will only build my own towers from now on. Thanks for the help!
 
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Clark_Melo

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Hi there, may I ask which GTX 960 you chose? Is the one you mentioned at the beginning? (EVGA GTX 960 MINI Superclocked) As I have the same issue here now, I really need your advise.

Thanks in advance.
 
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Noah Siano

Noah Siano

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Yes, the one posted in the original post is the one he ended up using and fit properly
This one: http://amzn.to/1J1PVYt
 
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Clark_Melo

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Thanks for your reply.

One more question, I noticed there was one graphic card called Gainwind GTX 960 and its length was around 9.7 inch. As I have seen many people saying 9.5 inch is the maximum length of graphic card in Alienware X51 case, do you know if this one with 9.7 inch would fit in or not?

Thanks again.



 
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Noah Siano

Noah Siano

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The EVGA ACX 2.0 960 does not fit, and it is 10.1 inches. The OP did say it was about half an inch too short, which means 9.5 inches is about the maximum length. If you have the case, go ahead and stick a tape measure in there and see just how much room you've got. That will tell you definitely if it will fit or not.
 
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