Hi everybody, thanks in advance for any advice you can offer. I’ve been out of PC gaming for a little while. I just stumbled into a new Dell XPS 8300 system at a ridiculous price, and am looking to add in a GPU (currently just has Intel graphics) to do some casual gaming. My current line of thought is to add a decent but not enthusiast-level GPU that will work the 460W PSU, go with that for the next 18-24 months, then upgrade the PSU and GPU further at that time.
My questions are:
- Is it reasonable to try to go without upgrading the PSU for now, or am I going to run into PSU problems even with a 550ti or an HD 6850 (both of which Newegg’s calculator suggest I’ll be able to run with my PSU)?
- Will a GPU at this level provide decent future proofing for the next 18-24 months?
- Any other limitations I might face? I have two available 6 pin connectors from the PSU but I don’t know their exact specifications.
- I’ve been looking primarily at a GTX 550ti or an HD 6850 or 6770. Any preferences between these cards, or other cards that I should be considering?
- If I do upgrade the PSU now (which I'd rather not if I can help it), does that risk my warranty? Some of the comments of other Dell owners in these forums suggests it might.
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: In the next day or two BUDGET RANGE: $125-$200 Before Rebates
USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Casual gaming. Would like to be able to play Skyrim on High settings. I’ll probably go back and play a lot of games I’ve missed from the last few years (FO3, FONV, maybe Civ V, Arkham City, maybe dabble in BF3), and maybe SWTOR or Diablo III in a little while.
CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: No discrete GPU at the moment (Integrated HD 3000), one available PCI-E slot. Stock Dell XPS 460 W power supply.
OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: Intel® Core™ i7-2600K Processor (8M Cache, 3.40 GHz), 12GB DDR3 RAM, stock Dell mobo (AO6 BIOS), 500GB 7200 rpm 3.5” HD, DVD-RW, wireless card, standard Dell XPS 8300 case (not slim).
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Likely Newegg COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
PARTS PREFERENCES: No strong preference. Good experiences with EVGA in the past but not a strong enough allegiance to sway me one way or the other.
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not with this motherboard.
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080, 21.5" HDMI monitor
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Would like a straight HDMI output but it’s not a deal-breaker. The case seems to have plenty of room length and depth-wise, much to my surprise, but I may be limited to no more than 5” in width.
Thank you!
My questions are:
- Is it reasonable to try to go without upgrading the PSU for now, or am I going to run into PSU problems even with a 550ti or an HD 6850 (both of which Newegg’s calculator suggest I’ll be able to run with my PSU)?
- Will a GPU at this level provide decent future proofing for the next 18-24 months?
- Any other limitations I might face? I have two available 6 pin connectors from the PSU but I don’t know their exact specifications.
- I’ve been looking primarily at a GTX 550ti or an HD 6850 or 6770. Any preferences between these cards, or other cards that I should be considering?
- If I do upgrade the PSU now (which I'd rather not if I can help it), does that risk my warranty? Some of the comments of other Dell owners in these forums suggests it might.
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: In the next day or two BUDGET RANGE: $125-$200 Before Rebates
USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Casual gaming. Would like to be able to play Skyrim on High settings. I’ll probably go back and play a lot of games I’ve missed from the last few years (FO3, FONV, maybe Civ V, Arkham City, maybe dabble in BF3), and maybe SWTOR or Diablo III in a little while.
CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: No discrete GPU at the moment (Integrated HD 3000), one available PCI-E slot. Stock Dell XPS 460 W power supply.
OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: Intel® Core™ i7-2600K Processor (8M Cache, 3.40 GHz), 12GB DDR3 RAM, stock Dell mobo (AO6 BIOS), 500GB 7200 rpm 3.5” HD, DVD-RW, wireless card, standard Dell XPS 8300 case (not slim).
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Likely Newegg COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
PARTS PREFERENCES: No strong preference. Good experiences with EVGA in the past but not a strong enough allegiance to sway me one way or the other.
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not with this motherboard.
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080, 21.5" HDMI monitor
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Would like a straight HDMI output but it’s not a deal-breaker. The case seems to have plenty of room length and depth-wise, much to my surprise, but I may be limited to no more than 5” in width.
Thank you!
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