Which GTX 960 has a Dual BIOS ''Legacy Switch''? Dell XPS 8300 problems

Neusbotje · Apr 27, 2016

Dear readers,

Like many others, I made a big mistake and bought a Dell XPS 8300. The PC is fine overall, but the GPU (HD 6870) is showing its age.
I would like to replace it with a GTX 960, but I know that this perticular model (XPS 8300) is BIOS locked regarding to newer GPU's.

Regarding to this topic: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2754978/problem-dell-xps-8300-gpu.html I found out that, the Sapphire R9 380 will work with the dell's motherboard because you can ''flip'' the BIOS from ''UEFI'' to ''Legacy''.

Countless users have upgrades their Dell with GTX 9xx series GPU's. But there is still a chance that the GPU I would like to buy, doesn't work with the motherboard.

I would like to know which GTX 960 support this switch. Does anyone have any experience with this motherboard and upgraded the GPU himself? (960)

Thank you!

junkeymonkey · Apr 27, 2016

look over dell forums at things like this ??

''Yes, I have just installed an EVGA GTX 960 into a late 2010 xps8300 with A01 bios installed and is working fine, no hassle or trouble with install!''

''I just purchased an EVGA 4GB SC GTX 960, model number 04G-P4-3962-KR. It worked perfectly fine with my XPS 8300, A06 bios. For the record I was replacing a 6870''

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3515/t/19612593

like the 8700 had to get a newer a-10 bios for 900 cards

Neusbotje · Apr 27, 2016

junkeymonkey :

Hi Junkeymonkey!,

Thank you for your fast reply.

I have read the Dell forums, but I am still not entirely sure which GPU will work.
I have read, the EVGA and Gigabtye will most likely work.
I'm considering the EVGA GTX 960 SSC 4G, do you personally think this edition ( different than the guy you linked) will work?

Thank you !

junkeymonkey · Apr 27, 2016

cant say 100% it would seem to point them cards at the dell forum that guys report there working it a better bet ? them prebuilts and aftermarket cards can be ''funny''

I understand what you were looking at with the dual bios thing but you got to look and see if the dual bios is for the uefi/legacy mode or is it that standard / performance mode ..

I did see at evga they [evga tech] like with a guy with a hp and he said the 960 did not support some hp bios's ??

may try there forum[evga ]as well and see if any of there fanboys have experience with the xps and your 8300

kinda like what was said in that dell forum is like back when the 8700 was the model that did not work with 900 cards until dell released that new A-10 bios for them

thing is no way can I say it will work and all you got to go by is what them guys said that worked for them ?

from amazon reviews ?? page 18 5star -ByBillNon December 6, 2015 -- Size: 4 GB Style Name: GTX 960 SSC ACX 2.0+

''Works beautifully in a Dell XPS 8300 with the original power supply (connect the Dell PSU dual 6-pin PCI power cable to the supplied dual 6-pin to single 8-pin adaptor). With its liquid cooling, higher efficiency, and double ball bearing fans, it's a LOT quieter than the original Radeon HD 6770,

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Whisper-Graphics-02G-P4-2966-KR/product-reviews/B00SC6HAS4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_paging_btm_18?ie=UTF8&pageNumber=18

looks like a positive for sure on it should be fine ??

I also see quite a few xps 8500 users reviewed that card at amazon , and alls good for them if that help any ???

Neusbotje · Apr 28, 2016

I bought a EVGA GTX 970. Will let you know if it works etc. Thank you

junkeymonkey · Apr 28, 2016

I thought you said a 960 ?? the 970 maybe a new ball of wax

good luck and let us know [fingers crossed ]

looks like you maybe fine

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3515/t/19602975

seems like as long as you don't have that darn 8700 your in better shape on these things ..lol...

Neusbotje · Apr 28, 2016

Yea, I never really considerd the GTX 970, (the cost...) but after some research I realised it made more sense to buy a GTX 970 for the price.

junkeymonkey · Apr 28, 2016

true - so is it working ?? I think the price / performance is there as much as I dislike the 970 overall I cant argue with that

did you go with a ''3'' card ??

example-- [04G-P4-''3''973] there the latest over the ''2'' 04G-P4-''2''973 with the newer stuff like cooler vrm's cooling plate and what ever .. ''1'' means reference ''2'' maybe a reference pcb with older acx cooler and some have factory overclockes

http://www.evga.com/articles/00892/EVGA-GeForce-GTX-970-SSC/

Neusbotje · Apr 28, 2016

Its a ''2''

junkeymonkey · Apr 28, 2016

that's ok just something not too clear on how that works at evga only the 980 ti don't follow that ''rule'' for some reason ??

now with evga 970's as well if you ever wanted to do sli theres a chart on what 970 card sil with each other so you got to be careful on that as well

http://www.evga.com/support/faq/afmmain.aspx?faqid=59534

wished we talked about these 970's some for these pointers - nothing wrong with the ''2'' cards as far as running / performance should do you just fine

Neusbotje · Apr 28, 2016

Thanks You for your advise! Thinking about returning the Card and get the "3" instead.

Should I do this?

junkeymonkey · Apr 28, 2016

??? I mean the 2 card and the 3 card like this are all clocked the same it just the 3 in the latest with the latest stuff also the 2 is a bit shorter at 9.5in so may fit that dell case better ? the 2 uses 2 6 pin where the 3 needs 8 and a 6 [look over the compare of these 2 ]

http://www.evga.com/Products/Compare.aspx

I don't know ? I guess its best to get the ''latest'' but then that don't mean that makes it better??

Neusbotje · Apr 29, 2016

i'm getting the EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SC GAMING ACX 2.0

junkeymonkey · Apr 29, 2016

that's this card but yours will have the newer ACX 2.0 cooler that replaced the one shown in this review

https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/EVGA/GTX_970_SC_ACX_Cooler/3.html

older ACX cooler
https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/EVGA/GTX_970_SC_ACX_Cooler/images/cooler2.jpg

now the ACX 2.0 has a solid plate where the ACX just had the heat pipes making contact with the gpu chip

http://images.anandtech.com/doci/8568/HSF.jpg?_ga=1.12241396.1741164206.1457277521

from here [ftw]

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8568/the-geforce-gtx-970-review-feat-evga/2

the new ACX 2.0''+'' as in the ''3'' series card

http://www.hardwareluxx.com/index.php/reviews/hardware/vgacards/34652-reviewed-evga-gtx-960-4gb-supersc-acx-20.html?start=2

that's about the best look at the three changes made over time in the cards you can see what kinda went on

Neusbotje · Apr 29, 2016

Yep, the EVGA site gives a lot of information too.
Thank you for your help so far!
I get the card this afternoon I'll update you.

junkeymonkey · Apr 29, 2016

sounds like a plan

I'm sure it will work out fine

Neusbotje · Apr 29, 2016

Just installed the card. It works perfectly without any problems. Thank you for your help kind sir!

For all the Dell XPS 8300 readers here...... (I know you are reading this)

Apparently the EVGA GTX 970 SC ACX 2.0 4GB Works like a charm with the Dell XPS 8300.
I don't know if the card fits the case the Dell came in, because I have already changed the computer to a better case.
I'm using the Dell XPS 8300 PSU ( 460 watt 2x 6 pin) to power the GTX 970 and running AO6 Bios.

No problems whatsoever, it powered on like it normally does.

Steps when upgrading to a different GPU
1. Delete all existing drivers
2. Shut down computer
3. Change GPU
4. Power on PC
5. Download drivers
6. Succes

junkeymonkey · Apr 29, 2016

good deal-- glad it all working out

enjoy

Which GTX 960 has a Dual BIOS ''Legacy Switch''? Dell XPS 8300 problems

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