GPU upgrade for desktop(HELP)

[devour0wn]

Hi, i own an Alienware X51 desktop currently containing an i5 quad core processor, 8gb 1333mhz ram and a Nvidia GTX555 GPU. i was wondering if the stock power supply and motherboard supplied from Alienware is enough to change to a Nvidia GTX660 card.

 

[the great randini]

can you take a look at the side of you psu and see watt psu you have. The one on dells site says its 300 watt but it comes with a newer gpu.
Nvida suggests a Minimum of a 450 Watt power supply

 

[rostrow416]

i have one with the ivy brigdge i5 and gtx 660...if you have a 330w power supply then yes you can, at max the 660 pulls 150w. but if you have the 240w power supply you won't be able to upgrade.

 

[bc5]

Haha looks like Alienware went all out with those PSUs GTX660 is very energy-efficient though (excellent choice by the way) and good advice from rostrow416. There should be a label on your PSU stating the wattage.

 

[devour0wn]

Would I be able to upgrade the psu then put in a higher card the 660? Or will that run to hot or something

 

[sam_p_lay]

Would I be able to upgrade the psu then put in a higher card the 660? Or will that run to hot or something

Honestly there's not much to be gained from the cards immediately above the GTX660. Not enough to see a noticeable difference without a using framerate counter. In a few years when you get to a point where the GTX660 can no longer handle the latest games, the 7870, GTX660Ti and 7950 won't be able to either. To get a noticeable benefit and a little bit more future-proofing, you'd need to move right up to a GTX670, but that's quite a bit more money. The GTX660 is the best price/performance option - you chose well already