Older Alienware PC - is it worth upgrading?

[Marrty]

Hey all,

I have "inherited" my husband's Alienware X51 R2* (specs below) a few years ago and use it mostly for work. I tend to keep too many browser tabs open and run Photoshop and Lightroom going at the same time. The boot time is killing me and I can count on my coffee brewing faster than the photoshop opens... I'm trying to stay away from gaming but I enjoy good old Fallout 4 and build mods - the poor PC froze on me a few times tho. I play Minecraft with my kids and a few other games that are not the newest or most graphics-heavy, tho it would be nice to be able to play some newer titles without hiccups.

So! I am considering adding another 8GB of memory and 1TB SSD OR looking for a new PC. Is the small upgrade a bad idea? I'd rather not spend the money if I need a new PC, but if this one will perform considerably better with SSD and the full 16GB memory?

Please help! I don't know what I'm doing.

*Dell Black Alienware X51 (R2) Desktop PC with Intel Core i7-4790 Processor, 8GB Memory, 1TB Hard Drive / PC NVIDIA GeForce GTX 745 With 4GB DDR3

[here's another description form an old sales page" Dell Alienware X51 (R2) Desktop PC: Key Features and Benefits: Intel Core i7-4790 processor 3.6GHz, 8MB Cache 8GB DDR3 SDRAM system memory (expandable to 16GB)]

 

[xman2007]

Definitely worth upgrading the RAM to 16GB and installing an SSD for Windows and other apps such as photoshop, 256/500GB should be plentiful, oh and throw out that GTX 745 in the bin and replace it with a GTX 1650 or RX 570/RX 5500xt class of GPU, would make a world of difference in just about everything, there is still life in the old dog

 

[stinger608]

throw out that GTX 745 in the bin and replace it with a GTX 1650 or RX 570/RX 5500xt class of GPU,

I agree with this entirely. Only issue is if that Alienware motherboard doesn't have the newest BIOS it may not boot with some of the new gen video cards. None the less, a good GTX980 or something similar would make a huge difference in Photoshop!! That is kind of a video hog for sure.

 

[Athlonite]

adding another 8GB of memory and 1TB SSD

that'll make a big difference as will as an newer GPU but if you like the case and not the internals then I'd go new mobo (either AMD or Intel preference is yours to decide) ram gpu and a NVMe SSD

 

[stinger608]

that'll make a big difference as will as an newer GPU but if you like the case and not the internals then I'd go new mobo (either AMD or Intel preference is yours to decide) ram gpu and a NVMe SSD

Please help! I don't know what I'm doing.

Could be an issue if the OP doesn't know someone that can replace the hardware.

 

[xman2007]

I agree with this entirely. Only issue is if that Alienware motherboard doesn't have the newest BIOS it may not boot with some of the new gen video cards. None the less, a good GTX980 or something similar would make a huge difference in Photoshop!! That is kind of a video hog for sure.

4790 should be fully uefi compatible, no issues there, and it's still a pretty decent cpu for most tasks the main bottleneck as the OP states is the HDD a 256/500GB SSD would work wonders and as they mentioned fallout 4 and gaming a newer entry level GPU would still be streets ahead of the GTX 745

that'll make a big difference as will as an newer GPU but if you like the case and not the internals then I'd go new mobo (either AMD or Intel preference is yours to decide) ram gpu and a NVMe SSD

So basically a new build entirely?

 

[stinger608]

4790 should be fully uefi compatible, no issues there, and it's still a pretty decent cpu for most tasks the main bottleneck as the OP states is the HDD a 256/500GB SSD would work wonders and as they mentioned fallout 4 and gaming a newer entry level GPU would still be streets ahead of the GTX 745

Yeppers, you should be correct that the BIOS should be UEFI. Seems though, that some boards are finicky with new video cards if it has a old BIOS. Some, of course, are fine.

Buy yeah, a good SSD and extra 8 gigs of ram will make a huge difference. Video card as well will make a huge difference.

 

[Athlonite]

So basically a new build entirely?

I did put a "But" in there didn't I.... the OP did ask for upgrade advice and I did agree with the extra 8GB of ram and an SSD being a good solution aswell as a newer GPU but after all that you may aswell go whole hog and bring it into 2020

 

[swirl09]

a good GTX980 or something similar would make a huge difference in Photoshop!! That is kind of a video hog for sure.

Keep in mind the PSU may not be able for a GPU that has triple the power consumption. But there is an upgrade path for the machine considering your wants OP. A newer low end GPU should be on your list of considerations, after your mentioned RAM and SSD plans.

 

[xman2007]

Basically, RAM, SSD and GPU could run you like $30/$50/$150 total cost of $230 and it would be like a new machine, or $600+ for a new rig with equivalent replacement parts and slightly newer CPU/board and PSU.... $230 vs $600+ for probably very similar performance give or take, I dunno, I think I know which I would choose if money is tight

 

[stinger608]

Keep in mind the PSU may not be able for a GPU that has triple the power consumption.

Oh yeah, you have a good point there. Some of them had 850 watt units but it's hard to say without opening and looking at it. I have an older Alienware that came stock with a 750 watt modular unit and the extra cables where packaged inside the computer.

 

[swirl09]

$230 vs $600+ for probably very similar performance give or take, I dunno, I think I know which I would choose if money is tight

Dont forget the option to sell the old machine to offset some of that cost.

Just be clear with your goals OP before you spend any money. I think if you get to the point where you are considering also replacing the PSU, at that point I would say abort the upgrade plan and sell your PC and go for something new. But it is definitely possible to do some upgrading and keep going with your current.

Some of them had 850 watt units but [...]

Its unusual for pre-builts to come with PSUs that have much spare room. Easy enough to check, but I wouldnt count on there being much room at all. So any replacement GPU should stay close to the power draw of whatever you are taking out.

 

[Caring1]

I would suggest looking for a newer system.
Your current system is dated and the cost of "improving" it can quickly escalate.
A major hurdle with replacing parts is the small form factor of the case, and the fact it has an iTX Motherboard which is basically the smallest available.
Finding a half height Graphics Card that will be suitable will be extremely hard.
Perhaps a used Dell Desktop will be more suitable and they are frequently sold fairly cheaply, ready to go.

 

[Marrty]

Thanks for all the advice!

My understanding was: I may be better off with an older i7 than a newer i5 - especially with a limited budget. I am on a way to a new PC sometime in the next year, but right now I just want to get through the holidays without spending too much. Once I'm done with the computer, it will be my kids' PC for a bit - they need something for homework and watching obnoxious YouTubers... maybe some Minecraft and Lego games.

I was worried about doing the updates myself, but YouTube is the best and after opening the case to see what's inside and taking a few parts out, I found 2 cables (I guess these are the two 6-pin video card power supply cables?) that were just laying there - not attached to anything. I also noticed I have 2x4GB RAM (not sure why I thought I have one 8GB stick...).

So!
(1) I obviously need 2x8GB DDR3 - is there a specific brand that works best? Where would you suggest I purchase from? Do I just pop the old ones out and plug the new ones in? Someone mentioned that should run around $30... I cannot find anything around that price (unless that was for one 8GB stick)

(2) Same for the SSD - is there a good brand I should get? I found "SK hynix Gold S31 500GB 3D NAND 2.5 inch SATA III Internal SSD" on Amazon for ~$50 and it comes with software to clone the disc. I am assuming that if I have 900GB of stuff I need to transfer all my photos to a backup disk to clone the windows - but do I need an extra connection to hook up the SSD before I clone into it? I don't mind reinstalling everything - I am just trying to make sure I can reuse the Windows I have now.

(3) Graphic Card - I do not want to go too deep here but my power brick says ADP-240AB. Is there a card I can use without changing the power adapter? How does changing a power adapter work? I just buy the 330 one and plug it in?

Thanks again - this has been very helpful so far and I'm hopeful I can do this myself now.

 

[stinger608]

(1) I obviously need 2x8GB DDR3 - is there a specific brand that works best? Where would you suggest I purchase from? Do I just pop the old ones out and plug the new ones in? Someone mentioned that should run around $30... I cannot find anything around that price (unless that was for one 8GB stick)

Yep, just get, if you can, 2 @ 8gig sticks and pull your old ones out and pop in the new ones. I have found, over the years, that the Kingston KVR series of memory sticks seem to be very compatible with most motherboards. Trouble might be finding DDR3. You might check Amazon as they may still have some........
Oh, yep, here is some on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Team-Elite-1600Mhz-System-Memory/dp/B00FAY0S08/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1L98IOZZDW41J&dchild=1&keywords=kingston+ddr3+ram+16gb&qid=1605657159&sprefix=Kingston+DDR%2Caps%2C237&sr=8-5

Not Kingston but these Teamgroup sticks should work okay. And, they are under $50.

(2) Same for the SSD - is there a good brand I should get? I found "SK hynix Gold S31 500GB 3D NAND 2.5 inch SATA III Internal SSD" on Amazon for ~$50 and it comes with software to clone the disc. I am assuming that if I have 900GB of stuff I need to transfer all my photos to a backup disk to clone the windows - but do I need an extra connection to hook up the SSD before I clone into it? I don't mind reinstalling everything - I am just trying to make sure I can reuse the Windows I have now.

Yep, that isn't a bad SSD and at a decent price. Should make a huge difference in the speed of the system.

(3) Graphic Card - I do not want to go too deep here but my power brick says ADP-240AB. Is there a card I can use without changing the power adapter? How does changing a power adapter work? I just buy the 330 one and plug it in?

This might be a bit more difficult to find cheap. Also, as you are limited to a 240 watt power supply you have to be careful on the video card chosen. And yes, them two cables inside the case are for PCIe video card. However, I don't think we can find a low wattage video card that would require both plugs. We also have to consider that you need a low profile card.

Here is one, although it's a little pricy. However, being a 1050 Ti, it will be miles ahead of what you are using now:

https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Geforce-Profile-Graphic-GV-N105TOC-4GL/dp/B06WWLWWJM/ref=sr_1_3?crid=B12JVW29M6UE&dchild=1&keywords=video+card&qid=1605657437&sprefix=video+car%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-3

Here is a little brother. Of course it will be no where near the 1050Ti card above, but it's about $70 cheaper:

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-GT-1030-2G-LP/dp/B071L4VKF6/ref=sr_1_4?crid=YPMBA3UBSIXR&dchild=1&keywords=low+profile+video+card&qid=1605657596&sprefix=low+profile+video+card%2Caps%2C224&sr=8-4

Hopefully this is helpful and of course everyone on this thread wants to help ya out.

 

[JustAnEngineer]

I'll agree with the other posters. With more memory, an SSD and a modern graphics card, you'll do okay with that old Core i7 until you're ready to build a whole new PC.

The free trial version of Macrium Reflect makes it trivial to clone your existing spinning hard-drive onto a new SSD. Once you're booting from the SSD, you can remove the old hard-drive or reformat t and use it for storage.

Radeon RX 5500XT 8GB or GeForce GTX1660 6GB would be a significant upgrade from your old graphics card. $50 more would provide much better gaming performance with a Radeon RX 5600XT 6GB, but the power requirement for that card is slightly higher.