Upgrading my XPS 8700 (X8700-3129BLK) Motherboard with a ASUS Z97-E/USB 3.1

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MichaelAlexand3r

MichaelAlexand3r

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Dec 4, 2013
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Hi all,

Looking at upgrading my rig with a few components (Motherboard, Power unit, SSD, GPU).

I am unfamiliar with motherboard upgrades so I was hoping to get some input and suggestions. As I am looking at multiple upgrades, I want to make sure my mobo in mind is a good choice and sufficient for all components.

Can anyone please tell me if this is a suitable/compatible motherboard for my chipset and if it will be good with the GPU I am looking at - and since i will have 2 drives (1 Evo 750 and 7200 HHD, should I get a raid card)? Should I up the Power supply? (I believe current is 430)

Also, any additional info on peoples experience who own any of these products/downfalls to the brand, know of a better alternative (please explain why) etc - I would be greatly appreciated! :D

Current Specs:
- Intel Core i7 (4th Gen) 4770 / 3.4 GHz - 3.9 GHz Cores Quad-Core, Intel Z87 Express, LGA1150 Socket
- 12GB 1600 MHz PC3-12800
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 720 1GB
- 1TB 7200 rpm HDD
http://cnet.wsgsi.cc/products/dell-xps-8700-core-i7-4770-3-4-ghz-16-gb-2-tb/specs/


ASUS Z97-E/USB 3.1, Socket 1150, Intel Z97 Chipset-Would a ASUS Z97-A be better? Second link below
- DDR3 3200MHz, 2x PCI-Express 3.0 x16
- GLAN, 4 x SATA 6Gb/s, 4 x USB 3.0, 8 x USB 2.0
- HDMI/DVI/D-Sub, ATX
http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/Z97E/
http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/Z97A/


GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1050 Windforce OC 2GB
- 1392 MHz Base/1531 MHz Boost,7008 MHz Memory
- PCI-E 3.0, DVI-D, 3xHDMI 2.0, DP 1.4
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=6062#kf


THANKS!!
-Michael



 
Solution
hdmark
I have an xps 8700.

So to start... why are you upgrading the motherboard at all? I cant see a reason to upgrade the motherboard especially if you are staying with your 4770. Maybe if you wanted to go to skylake or kaby lake but the performance gains for you are very little. Plus, you will need to buy a new copy of windows as our copies are tied to the motherboard.

as for hte GPU, i was able to run a 960 without issue on the OEM power supply and many people even use 970's on the OEM psu. You should be fine with the 1050 on that PSU.

my suggestions for an upgrade would be to get a 250-512gb 850 evo (or 750 if you want to save money) and install it as the boot drive. you can close windows to it, get a 1060 3 or 6gb, and an xfx or...
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hdmark

hdmark

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I have an xps 8700.

So to start... why are you upgrading the motherboard at all? I cant see a reason to upgrade the motherboard especially if you are staying with your 4770. Maybe if you wanted to go to skylake or kaby lake but the performance gains for you are very little. Plus, you will need to buy a new copy of windows as our copies are tied to the motherboard.

as for hte GPU, i was able to run a 960 without issue on the OEM power supply and many people even use 970's on the OEM psu. You should be fine with the 1050 on that PSU.

my suggestions for an upgrade would be to get a 250-512gb 850 evo (or 750 if you want to save money) and install it as the boot drive. you can close windows to it, get a 1060 3 or 6gb, and an xfx or comparable 550w PSU (tier 1 or 2). That would make your computer boot up quicker, feel faster, and give much better graphics performance

what i did (waste of money, i should have built a computer instead of buying the dell pre built)
- new case - fractal define r5 (more/better cooling)
- upgraded to 16gb DDR3 1866 ram
- added SSD - 250gb crucial m550
- new PSU - antec 620
- upgraded gpu - Evga 970 ftw
 
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MichaelAlexand3r

MichaelAlexand3r

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Dec 4, 2013
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I already have a new case, added a few extra fans.

The 750/850 250GB was for boot - still keeping my 1TB for multi-media storage.
The reason i picked that GPU is because of the # of HDMI ports; I might still keep my GT720 in there so I will have a total of 5 HDMI ports. I figured with the amount of demand I'll be putting on my motherboard, adding another GPU, adding a SSD - a mobo upgrade wouldn't hurt for the longrun.

sucks our Windows is tied to the OEM mobo.. F*cking Dell.. :fou: I guess that's the nail in the coffin right there..


 
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hdmark

hdmark

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how many monitors are you using?? you might be able to find a single GPU with all of the ports you need. you might just need an adapter. but i guess if you do have more than 4 monitors, you will need a dual card setup.

as far as the extra storage alone, the mobo is fine. i believe its an h87. i know personally, im keeping my motherboard and CPU for probably at least 1 or 2 more generation releases. I might upgrade to w.e the i7 8xxx or the i7 9xxx. i see no reason just yet though
 
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MichaelAlexand3r

MichaelAlexand3r

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Dec 4, 2013
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Planning to run 4 - 3 monitors, 1 HDMI to a 46 LED TV - but the motherboard comes with a HDMI port along with the onboard graphics - I just figured it doesn't hurt to have an extra slot :) but, I just realized after looking at the link for the GPU, it also has a DVI port :D http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=6062#kf

Whats a dual-card setup? (Sorry, my knowledge is limited when it comes to this kind of stuff)

Are you going to buy a windows Licence and upgrade your mobo when you do?

I appreciate your input and suggestions btw, great help!

 
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hdmark

hdmark

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1- what monitors are you using? if you are using ones with hdmi and dvi.. then you shoudlb e fine with that card. also, not sure what games you'll be playing but that is a lower end card just so you know.

2- dual card would be nvidia sli (using 2 cards together as one card), or amd crossfire (same thing but AMD's version). you can do a google search on them for details.

3- im not sure if you can use your dedicated GPU as well as the motherboard video outputs at the same time. i feel like some people have maybe? so theres a VERY good chance im wrong, but i have no idea how to set it up.

4- ya, i'll have to buy windows when i do eventually upgrade my mobo. but that wont be for a few years at the earliest so thats a problem for future mark :D
 
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