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Dell GTX 260 - Totally Underclocked

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skwurl   10-24-2009 at 08:28:14 PM

Hi there,

I have an interesting story and question for the community. I recently ordered a Dell XPS 9000 that was bundled with the GTX 260 1,792 MB version. After some research, I was beginning to read reports from other buyers that their GTX 260 wasn't really achieving the performance it should have been.

A few users were claiming that their clock speeds were 515 Mhz and only the 192 stream processors instead of the sweet core 216 that's been floating around for a while. So....I emailed my Dell tech and asked him what the actual performance specs for the GTX 260 in the XPS 9000 was.

Sure enough, the stats came back at 515 Mhz, and 1080 Mhz processor clock - well below what other GTX 260's are getting. I came to the conclusion that Dell was underclocking the card for stability since the XPS 9000 was only using a 475 PS.

After about 2 days, Dell deleted my thread citing I was violating the TOS.

Anyhooooo...I'm still thinking of getting the XPS 9000 (sweet case, great price) and just getting the cheapest card I can, which I think is a GTS 220, and then buying a third party GTX 260 Core 216 card.

My question to you guys is, do you think the 475 W PS is enough for the card? I've heard Dell dramatically underrates their PS and that you'd even be hard pressed to max out 475 Watts with a 260, even an OC 260.

The rest of the XPS 9000 specs are:

i7 920
6 GB DDR3 RAM
500 GB SATA HD

Any feedback is much appreciated.


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xbonez   10-24-2009 at 08:52:18 PM

If you think the PSU bundled with the system can handle a CTX 260 at stock clocks, why don't you just overclock it to stock clock speeds using Riva Tuner or CCC or something?

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skwurl   10-24-2009 at 08:57:43 PM

xbonez wrote :

If you think the PSU bundled with the system can handle a CTX 260 at stock clocks, why don't you just overclock it to stock clock speeds using Riva Tuner or CCC or something?



Firstly, I don't know if the PSU can handle it. That's why I'm asking. Secondly, the 192 stream processor limitation is a hardware limitation.

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Bronze Graphics badge TheViper   10-24-2009 at 09:02:39 PM

Get the HD 4870 1 GB instead. More bang than the 216/260's for the same or less money online.

Even though they underclocked the 192/260, it seems to me they wouldn't put a PSU in there and leave such minimal overhead. This suggests it should handle either the 216/260 or HD 4870 1 GB just fine.

Reply to TheViper
Minus_i7   10-24-2009 at 10:20:34 PM

skwurl wrote :

Firstly, I don't know if the PSU can handle it. That's why I'm asking. Secondly, the 192 stream processor limitation is a hardware limitation.




I wonder if it's underclocked due to heat concerns? Dell doesn't usually advertise high performance airflow.

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Bluescreendeath   10-25-2009 at 12:49:34 AM

1. Build your own system and it'll be at least 40% cheaper with better parts
2. Try digitalstorm, Cyberpowerpc, or ibuypower for better options than Dell
3. 1.7 GB of RAM is totally useless for a GTX260
4. Yes, a 475watt is enough for a GTX260...Dell PSUs are also pretty decent

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skwurl   10-25-2009 at 01:49:56 AM

Minus_i7 wrote :

I wonder if it's underclocked due to heat concerns? Dell doesn't usually advertise high performance airflow.



Never thought of that. I suppose it's possible, but it seems strange. I imagine it would be for stability, but I'm just not sure.

Reply to skwurl
Delluser1   10-25-2009 at 01:50:06 AM

Bluescreendeath wrote :


4. Yes, a 475watt is enough for a GTX260...Dell PSUs are also pretty decent



Just wanted to reiterate this statement.

PS;
1- This thread isn't as funny as the one at EVGA
2- No it's not underclocked due to airflow or weak psu, more than likely has to do with the fact that Dell gets the bottom of the barrel chips that couldn't cut it as a retail card, even my old Dell 6800nu was clocked lower than the reference card.
3- Dell doesn't underrate thier psu's, they are rated as per the max continuous output and typically have a relatively high 12v output, unlike many generics that are rated according to peak output.

If you are intent on getting the Dell, buy your video card elsewhere, it will be less expensive and you'll end up with a better card.

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skwurl   10-25-2009 at 02:17:21 AM

Delluser1 wrote :

Just wanted to reiterate this statement.

PS;
1- This thread isn't as funny as the one at EVGA
2- No it's not underclocked due to airflow or weak psu, more than likely has to do with the fact that Dell gets the bottom of the barrel chips that couldn't cut it as a retail card, even my old Dell 6800nu was clocked lower than the reference card.
3- Dell doesn't underrate thier psu's, they are rated as per the max continuous output and typically have a relatively high 12v output, unlike many generics that are rated according to peak output.

If you are intent on getting the Dell, buy your video card elsewhere, it will be less expensive and you'll end up with a better card.



Lol.

I was wondering if anyone was going to notice that I posted this at EVGA. Wasn't sure if I was going to get any feedback over there - however, both threads are very informative, if not a little conflicting.

Anyways, why would Nvidia spec a min 500W requirement if you think the 475 could handle it? You think they're just playing it safe, or do think the Dell PSU are better than most.

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Bluescreendeath   10-25-2009 at 02:19:19 AM

skwurl wrote :

Lol.

I was wondering if anyone was going to notice that I posted this at EVGA. Wasn't sure if I was going to get any feedback over there - however, both threads are very informative, if not a little conflicting.

Anyways, why would Nvidia spec a min 500W requirement if you think the 475 could handle it? You think they're just playing it safe, or do think the Dell PSU are better than most.



Cuz 500watts is recommended if you're using a crap PSU that overrate their abilities.

Reply to Bluescreendeath
skwurl   10-25-2009 at 02:43:06 AM

Yeah, I've heard from several posters and other sources that the Dell PS are actually really good.

Reply to skwurl
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