Upgrading Alienware x51 R2

[jtchimesin]

Okay, so I have an Alienware x51 R2. Here are the specs:

Windows 10 

Intel 4430 @ 3.00Ghz

Nvidia GTX 645

2 TB Seagate Barracuda HDD

8Gb Ram

 

Alright, so here's my dilemma. After purchasing this computer back in 2013, the computer just cannot keep up with many of the AAA games I enjoy playing. The GTX 645 was able to keep up for a little bit, but struggles when I want to play more demanding games such as GTAV or Battlefront 3. I wanted to see if I could possibly upgrade to a GTX 960, however the problem is I only have a 240w power supply. Would this be enough to run a 960 at a stable performance, or do I have to upgrade my power supply as well? Here's the link to a 330w power supply, would this work if the 240w wouldn't?: http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=332-1432#Overview

 

Also I find it weird how the maximum wattage on the GTX 645 is higher (130w) than the GTX 960 (120w), however I still believe the GTX 960 would have a much higher power draw.

 

(And before I get any hate comments on a prebuilt, yes I know that building it yourself is superior, but I like the size of the case as I like in quite a small dorm, so I want to keep the same case.)

 

Thanks, JT

[Curufinwe_wins]

Okay, so I have an Alienware x51 R2. Here are the specs:

Windows 10 

Intel 4430 @ 3.00Ghz

Nvidia GTX 645

2 TB Seagate Barracuda HDD

8Gb Ram

 

Alright, so here's my dilemma. After purchasing this computer back in 2013, the computer just cannot keep up with many of the AAA games I enjoy playing. The GTX 645 was able to keep up for a little bit, but struggles when I want to play more demanding games such as GTAV or Battlefront 3. I wanted to see if I could possibly upgrade to a GTX 960, however the problem is I only have a 240w power supply. Would this be enough to run a 960 at a stable performance, or do I have to upgrade my power supply as well? Here's the link to a 330w power supply, would this work if the 240w wouldn't?: http://accessories.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=332-1432#Overview

 

Also I find it weird how the maximum wattage on the GTX 645 is higher (130w) than the GTX 960 (120w), however I still believe the GTX 960 would have a much higher power draw.

 

(And before I get any hate comments on a prebuilt, yes I know that building it yourself is superior, but I like the size of the case as I like in quite a small dorm, so I want to keep the same case.)

 

Thanks, JT

In theory you should be able to directly swap (assuming you get reference design), but I would never recommend keeping that 240W psu. A 330 would be fine, but really a lot of sfx psu's are around the 400W segment and that would probably work best long term.

 

BTW the original hardware canucks review (which used a super massive overclocked 6 core 4930x) drew only 300W from the wall peak so you might be able to get away with it.

 

These guys with an 3820k (high power draw 4 core) got 230 W power draw with the 960.

http://techreport.com/review/27702/nvidia-geforce-gtx-960-graphics-card-reviewed/11

[jtchimesin]

In theory you should be able to directly swap (assuming you get reference design), but I would never recommend keeping that 240W psu. A 330 would be fine, but really a lot of sfx psu's are around the 400W segment and that would probably work best long term.

 

BTW the original hardware canucks review (which used a super massive overclocked 6 core 4930x) drew only 300W from the wall peak so you might be able to get away with it.

 

These guys with an 3820k (high power draw 4 core) got 230 W power draw with the 960.

http://techreport.com/review/27702/nvidia-geforce-gtx-960-graphics-card-reviewed/11

I feel like I would want to be more on the safe side here, for sure the 240w would be cutting it close... It's just going to be another $150 added on unfortunately. 

[Kyzer]

I feel like I would want to be more on the safe side here, for sure the 240w would be cutting it close... It's just going to be another $150 added on unfortunately. 

A SFX should never cost $150??

[Curufinwe_wins]

A SFX should never cost $150??

LOL I forgot... It's a pre-built with an external proprietary power brick. The only one available is the 330W he posted from dell.