First time pc builder

[crisconj]

Excuse me if I seem rattled at all I'm just slightly destraught.

I ordered an hd 6970 2gig for my dell xps 700 with a 1000w power supply and glossed over the fact that the power supply does not have an 8 pin cord.

I'm not quite sure what to do. I could return the card or upgrade or build all over again I'm not really sure what to do.

The idea is to have a computer that can handle any game at near ultra or at ultra.

Right now I have a Dell xps 700 i7 quad with a 2.6, 6 gigs of ram and an hd 4850 512mb.

I've come to realize that dell doesn't make it easy on you to fix their systems up how you want them.

My budget is either very limited or pretty decent depending on what I decide to do.

Is it possible to use the xps 700 case and do a build of my own? I'm fairly new at actual PC construction which is why I bought from dell in the first place 4 years ago or so.

Keep in mind I already have the HD 6970 2 gig so that knocks a good chunk off the cost to rebuild.

What do you guys think I'd be better served to do? I only ask because every time I'v had a problem over the years with my PC this place has always had the best answers.

Thanks in advance for anyone who takes time out of their day to help a distraught fool who doesn't read the instructions properly.

 

[crisconj]

After searching around I think I left off some info.

If I did do a build I would be able to throw another $600 on to the computer after what I spent on the 6970.

Not sure if it would be better or possible to strip the xps 700 of hard drive and all that and keep it for next computer or to sell my current computer as is and start from scratch...

 

[Gallarian]

A 1000 watt PSU with no 8-pin? May I ask what company made the PSU?


If I was you, Id start from scratch - you're just going to hinder yourself by trying to work within the parameters of an old Dell system.


Could you post the entire spec list you currently have?

 

[crisconj]

A 1000 watt PSU with no 8-pin? May I ask what company made the PSU?


If I was you, Id start from scratch - you're just going to hinder yourself by trying to work within the parameters of an old Dell system.


Could you post the entire spec list you currently have?

Dell XPS 700x

ATI radeon Hd4850

CPU is an i7 2.67ghz( 8 cpu's) ~2.7

6 gigs of ram not sure what brand came stock with the machine.

The rest is all stock dell BTX stuff. The PSU is also made by dell.

 

[Gallarian]

Yeah - If I was you Id start from scratch, and sell that system if you can.

So, say youve sold it for $200 (I have no idea what you'd get, just thought Id take a guess!) - that leaves you with a budget of $800 + youve already got a GPU.


Suggestion:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/aGYh

 

[Gallarian]

(I tried to keep it near $600 - as obviously selling an old PC is easier said than done)

 

[deathrune]

I'd keep the processor though, but deffinetly get rid of the Dell stuff, especially the motherboard. All you need is a new graphics card and an adapter for it.

You can find 4 pin molex to 8 pin pci-e. online easily

 

[crisconj]

Yeah - If I was you Id start from scratch, and sell that system if you can.

So, say youve sold it for $200 (I have no idea what you'd get, just thought Id take a guess!) - that leaves you with a budget of $800 + youve already got a GPU.


Suggestion:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/aGYh

just as a reference point and thank you so much for all of your answers so far the build that you suggested would keep me pretty safe for awhile in terms of running games at their finest?

 

[Gallarian]

That build would do nicely for games - though if you manage to sell your old stuff then chose an i5-2500k or i5-3570k over the 3450.

 

[crisconj]

I'd keep the processor though, but deffinetly get rid of the Dell stuff, especially the motherboard. All you need is a new graphics card and an adapter for it.

You can find 4 pin molex to 8 pin pci-e. online easily

How good is the i7 2.67 that I have compared to the i5's I see people having?


I'm sorry I don't exactly understand.. Are you saying I'd actually be able to buy an adapter for what I currently have to use the hd6970 in my current system?

 

[deathrune]

just as a reference point and thank you so much for all of your answers so far the build that you suggested would keep me pretty safe for awhile in terms of running games at their finest?

Well your only bottlekneck is your graphics card, the cpu you have now is worth 200$ alone.

A Hd4850 is a very outdated card, all you need is the hd 6970. At your budget there is no point in getting a new build but if you wanted to run all the new games on ultra at 1080p then you'd need a 7000 series card like the hd7970.

 

[deathrune]

How good is the i7 2.67 that I have compared to the i5's I see people having?


I'm sorry I don't exactly understand.. Are you saying I'd actually be able to buy an adapter for what I currently have to use the hd6970 in my current system?

Yes! crisconj

Here is one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812198022

Sorry for double posting couldnt edit

 

[crisconj]

Well your only bottlekneck is your graphics card, the cpu you have now is worth 200$ alone.

A Hd4850 is a very outdated card, all you need is the hd 6970. At your budget there is no point in getting a new build but if you wanted to run all the new games on ultra at 1080p then you'd need a 7000 series card like the hd7970.

so realistically your opinion to buy a new PSU and just plug the card into what I have now?

 

[crisconj]

Yes! crisconj

Here is one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812198022

Sorry for double posting couldnt edit

omg really?

All I need is that cable and then my hd 6970 works?

 

[deathrune]

omg really?

All I need is that cable and then my hd 6970 works?

Yes, I did it with my old computer

But you need to check what your current power supply's wattage is.
For your build with a new graphics card like a hd 6970, the wattage has to be about 450-500 wattage.

And I would maybe get a new motherboard if you have problems

 

[crisconj]

Yes, I did it with my old computer

But you need to check what your current power supply's wattage is.
For your build with a new graphics card like a hd 6970, the wattage has to be about 450-500 wattage.

And I would maybe get a new motherboard if you have problems

The PSU says is 1000w should be enough no?

 

[Gallarian]

Try the adapter - if it doesnt work for whatever reason, go with a new system.

A first generation i7 will not perform as well as a second/third generation i5 such as the 2500k or 3570k. Not even the $1000 i7-990X outperforms these CPU's in gaming.

 

[Gallarian]

The PSU says is 1000w should be enough no?

Wattage isnt everything, quality matters more.

As such, a 1000w unbranded PSU without an 8-pin PCI cable starts to ring alarm bells.

 

[deathrune]

The PSU says is 1000w should be enough no?

More than enough, though it sounds like it could be a bad branded. You have to be careful in future, all decent power supply's have an 80+ certification on them which means they are efficient. And cheap power supply's could break your whole computer. Though it is over exaggerated.

So yes, you are all set, order the adapter now dont be afraid. And the hd 6970 needs an 8 pin and a 6 pin, so you will need to order 2 if your new psu doesn't have a 6 bin with it and powersupply's have an additional 4 pin for the cpu on the motherboard, sometimes 8pin. So maybe dont get confused.

 

[crisconj]

have the adapter now going to try it out wish me luck.

 

[crisconj]

just wanted to give an update.

Cord worked I'm in business so far no issues.

Thanks so much for your help guys.