Questions about the Dell XPS 8300 and Studio XPS 9100

[MXGame]

I checked the Dell website for the XPS 8300 and it has a 460W PSU and the case dimensions are:

Height: 16.02 inches (407.75 mm)
Width: 7.31 inches (185.81 mm)
Depth: 17.9 inches (454.67 mm)

I was wondering if anyone has the Dell XPS 8300 and can measure the inside of the case for how much room there is available for the graphic card. The case being 17.9 inch in length seems very short, so I'm not sure how they are offering the HD 5870 as an option, which is a very long card. Are the graphic card from Dell customized to be shorter and use less power? I want to know if I can fit a HD 6870 or HD 6950 (will buy separately) into the Dell XPS 8300? The HD 6870 and HD 6950 both list the minimum power supply required as 500W or greater, but the XPS 8300 has only a 460W power supply. Will the XPS 8300 be able to power those cards without any problems?

The Studio XPS 9100 has a 525W PSU and the case dimensions are:

Dimensions & Weight
Height: 19.4" (49.3 cm)
Width: 7.8" (19.8 cm)
Depth: 20.7" (52.8cm)

The 20.7 inch length and the 525W power supply of the Studio XPS 9100 should be more than enough to fit and power a HD 6870 or HD 6950 graphic card right? Anyone know how much room there is inside the Studio XPS 9100 case for the graphic card? If anyone has a Studio XPS 9100 and can measure the inside space, that would be helpful.

The XPS 8300 is cheaper than the Studio XPS 9100 and it has a newer CPU, but I'm not sure if there is enough space for a HD 6870 or HD 6950 and also not sure if the power supply of the XPS 8300 can handle those cards. Would a Studio XPS 9100 be the right choice or would a XPS 8300 be fine?

Also both the XPS 8300 and Studio XPS 9100 only have a PCIe x16 slot (Graphics slot) and not a PCIe x16 2.0 slot, is that a bad thing? Would a HD 6870 or HD 6950 not run at full potential? How much of a decrease in performance is there between a PCIe x16 and a PCIe x16 2.0 slot?

 

[rolli59]

A Dell 460 watt is equal or better than many generic 500watt units. They probably do not have a drive bay in the way of the GPU slot on the 8300 and therefore can install HD5870.
The PCIe X16 slots are version 2.0, Dell just thinks that it is redundant information for their customer group!

 

[MXGame]

Thanks for the help. I just found an image of the inside of an XPS 8300 and it looks like there is a drive bay there, so it doesn't look like I can add a HD 6870 or HD 6950 because those cards are too long and the connector for them are on the top (drive bay is in the way of the connector too).

Image of Dell XPS 8300 inside:
http://zapp3.staticworld.net/reviews/graphics/products/uploaded/dell_xps_8300_788982_g3.jpg

I didn't know the PCIe x16 slot on the Dell is really a PCIe x16 2.0 slot, so good to know. I guess the Studio XPS 9100 is the only choice left if I wanted to add a HD 6870 or HD 6950 graphic card to it. I wish the Studio XPS 9100 had the second generation i7 CPU on them instead of the first generation i7 CPU. The i7 930 is about equal to the i5 2400 right? Except that the i7 930 has 8 threads, so it should beat the i5 2400 in heavy threaded application.

 

[noonin]

Thanks for the help. I just found an image of the inside of an XPS 8300 and it looks like there is a drive bay there, so it doesn't look like I can add a HD 6870 or HD 6950 because those cards are too long and the connector for them are on the top (drive bay is in the way of the connector too).

Image of Dell XPS 8300 inside:
http://zapp3.staticworld.net/reviews/graphics/products/uploaded/dell_xps_8300_788982_g3.jpg

I didn't know the PCIe x16 slot on the Dell is really a PCIe x16 2.0 slot, so good to know. I guess the Studio XPS 9100 is the only choice left if I wanted to add a HD 6870 or HD 6950 graphic card to it. I wish the Studio XPS 9100 had the second generation i7 CPU on them instead of the first generation i7 CPU. The i7 930 is about equal to the i5 2400 right? Except that the i7 930 has 8 threads, so it should beat the i5 2400 in heavy threaded application.

Dell seems to be using some cramped cases on a lot of models these days. I noticed when the Studio XPS8000 came out they took away the option for a TV card. I asked why and the answer was it would bump up against the HDD. Also, in my search for a computer for work, I noticed in the Secs on some of Dell's Business computers like the Optiplex, the GPUs and other add-on cards were listed as "half height". The XPS9100 is a big box, so there are tradeoffs. I would expect the 9100 is waiting for the next generation of Intel high end CPUs before Dell upgrades it. The 8300 already comes available with the top tier i7 2600, just apparently not enough space for the card you want to add. You could always try calling XPS Support and ask tech to make sure.

 

[reevos]

I just recently received a scratch and dent 8300 from Dell. I installed an XFX radeon 6870 with no problems into the case. There were already 2 6pin connectors available. The system seems to be running just fine with the added load. Quiet as can be. I hope this helps.

XFX Radeon model# HD-687A-ZD(FC)
PSU (already in Dell) 460 watts

 

[iec0]

I just recently received a scratch and dent 8300 from Dell. I installed an XFX radeon 6870 with no problems into the case. There were already 2 6pin connectors available. The system seems to be running just fine with the added load. Quiet as can be. I hope this helps.


Hi Reevos. Does the PSU have an extra power connector. My XPS 8300 comes with a 6770 so if i want to upgrade to the 6870 (which requires 2 power connectors) will that work or do i have to change the PSU.

 

[bluesplayer]

Just pulled trigger on XPS 8300 with AMD 6870 but didn't realize it would COVER up one of the NEEDED PCIe (1) slots, I need that slot to add FW (1394) - the other two PCIe (1) slots are already spoken for but during the on-line build there is no mention of the trade-off of losing an adjacent slot

Is the ANY PCIe (1) thin adapter cables ("flexible risers"?), or other Rube Goldberg item that might fit UNDER the edge of the 6870, or "double" an unobstructed PCIe (1) slot and allow me to rig up the a PCIe card maybe somehwere else in the case maybe even outside the case?

Thanks for any ideas (besides sending whole thign back)

 

[Guest]

hi i just brought a dell xps 8300 and ihighly recomend it!!!!!!!! it silent, quick look great and has BUILT IN HD!!!! so no needs to worry but this is the first ive heard of the dell xps stuido but anyway there is engough room for hd graphics card (with about 20 to chose from) and sound card in the xps 8300 too since i added both. if you dont get it theres a lot your missing out on!!!!!!!!!

 

[umairhp]

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http://www.binary-store.com