Alienware X51 r2 gpu upgrade

[Max888]

Hey all, I bought an Alienware X51 r2 about two years ago and since then, I've regretted not building my own PC. Anyways, I'm stuck with my Alienware X51 with the basic specs for a few years and would like to upgrade my graphics card (gtx 645) which can not run GTA V. I am looking for a card upgrade, possibly the gtx 750 ti, gtx 960 or an XFX r9 270. I am on a budget and looking for a cheap 200-250$ CDN card but I was told my external PSU (330w) will not make the cut. I am now wondering about an external psu upgrade also and am puzzled where to go with this. Keep in mind I am not very experienced.

Thanks,
Max

 

[DarthBaggins]

Out of your options I'd lean towards the 960, but yeah that 300w psu is heavily limiting you

 

[Max888]

Out of your options I'd lean towards the 960, but yeah that 300w psu is heavily limiting you

What are my options? is it an absolute must to upgrade my external psu? those are pretty expensive...

 

[DarthBaggins]

After looking on the Dell forums looks like the R9 270 might be your only option as the 330w is the highest ex.psu compatible with that model, but the rep mentioned the 270 being an approved GPU

 

[Frick]

The 750ti will definitely work.

You could by a normal PSU and have it outside the box.

 

[xvi]

I've played with secondary PSUs and it's a bit of a pain to deal with. If you want more power, I'd see about ripping out your current PSU and drilling/zip-tying a normal PSU in to it. (Or check eBay for upgraded PSUs designed for your case)
Your old GPU has a TDP of about 65 watts, so the best performing card with the same power usage would probably be the nVidia GeForce GTX 950. If a R9 270 is on the list of approved GPUs, then I'd imagine you could squeak up to a GTX 960.

 

[jboydgolfer]

the 750ti LP i just bought runs on a 250- or 350 watt PSU. its in a Dell optiplex SFF 7010. trust me, your PSU Should be fine. not to mention some 750ti's get all of theyre power from the PCI lane(including the one pictured below im speaking about), and require no external power source.

also i got mine new from newegg for around $120 they are real cheap and real powerful for theyre class.

btw, i installed that 750ti in my PC just to see what it had, and it ran GTA5 just fine @ 1200p, and could also do some recording too while playing.

plus they are Tiny..

 

[DarthBaggins]

It would be close I know Nvidia's site states they recommend a 400w for the 960, but the TDP for the 960(120w) is less than the 270 (150w) (both require a 6pin power)

 

[jboydgolfer]

in this case the 750Ti would be the better choice hands down (IMO). the 960 is Barely more powerful, and Always requires external Power(afaik), as where the 750Ti, is give or take less than 10% weaker or about 10%, and often does not require external power other than the Power provided by the PCI-e lane, plus Im going to assume that the Alienware PC he is trying to fit it in might be a small GPU friendly " PC.

plus the 960 is more expensive , and is larger.
See HERE for some bench results from GTA5 since that is the game your interested in, or alteast the one you mentioned. 750 in vid was OC's to match the factory OC of the 960

 

[Max888]

the 750ti LP i just bought runs on a 250- or 350 watt PSU. its in a Dell optiplex SFF 7010. trust me, your PSU Should be fine. not to mention some 750ti's get all of theyre power from the PCI lane(including the one pictured below im speaking about), and require no external power source.

also i got mine new from newegg for around $120 they are real cheap and real powerful for theyre class.

btw, i installed that 750ti in my PC just to see what it had, and it ran GTA5 just fine @ 1200p, and could also do some recording too while playing.

plus they are Tiny..

Gotta love the community, thanks everyone

 

[GhostRyder]

Hey all, I bought an Alienware X51 r2 about two years ago and since then, I've regretted not building my own PC. Anyways, I'm stuck with my Alienware X51 with the basic specs for a few years and would like to upgrade my graphics card (gtx 645) which can not run GTA V. I am looking for a card upgrade, possibly the gtx 750 ti, gtx 960 or an XFX r9 270. I am on a budget and looking for a cheap 200-250$ CDN card but I was told my external PSU (330w) will not make the cut. I am now wondering about an external psu upgrade also and am puzzled where to go with this. Keep in mind I am not very experienced.

Thanks,
Max

Well, do you have any internal 6 or 8 pin connectors or do you have two miles connectors? If not, then a 750ti without out said connectors on the card is the best bet without a psu upgrade.

You could do an external psu, which would allow better components. However, I feel it would be a pain and either require some modding or leaving the case permanently open.

 

[DarthBaggins]

Or you could go for the 950, but there are ton of 750Ti's out in the markets for cheap as well