GPU Choices for Dell XPS 630

[335Xray]

Here are the options and the cost involved to upgrade on the dell XPS 630.

I have a coupon for 25% off so take that into account. I was initially thinking the 3870x2, but the dual 4850's for $50 less seemed like a better value.

Thoughts?

nVidia GeForce 9800 GT 512MB [Included in Price]

Dual nVidia GeForce 9800 GT 512MB [add $250 or $8/month1]

ATI Radeon 3870X2 1024MB GDDR3 [add $350 or $11/month1]

nVidia GeForce GTX 280 ? 1024MB [add $500 or $15/month1]
May delay your XPS 630 ship date

ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB [add $50 or $2/month1]

Dual ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB [add $300 or $9/month1]

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Denithor]

NOT the 3870x2, that's an old/obsolete card, certainly wouldn't recommend you spend money on that.

Instead, buy with the lowest/crappiest card you can and then buy your own card to install.

I mean, they want $250 for a second 9800GT or $500 for a GTX 280?!? Get real - the 9800GT can be had for $90 and the GTX 280 for $350 or lower. When buying an OEM, I always recommend buying with the lowest end RAM & GPU and add your own parts later.

 

[geoffry]

Personally I would choose the dual 9800 GTs or the dual 4850s....and of those I would take the CF 4850s.

The GTX 280 seems like its priced rather high, and with neither the 4870 or GTX 260 216SP choices I'm afraid you'll need the dual card setup to get decent performance, or if you truly hate dual card setups do the 280, although its pricing seems out of whack a bit.

 

[geoffry]

Originally posted by: Denithor
NOT the 3870x2, that's an old/obsolete card, certainly wouldn't recommend you spend money on that.

Instead, buy with the lowest/crappiest card you can and then buy your own card to install.

I mean, they want $250 for a second 9800GT or $500 for a GTX 280?!? Get real - the 9800GT can be had for $90 and the GTX 280 for $350 or lower. When buying an OEM, I always recommend buying with the lowest end RAM & GPU and add your own parts later.

I like his choice too, taking the 9800 GT and then getting a 4870 or GTX 260 yourself.

I just wasn't sure you'd want to add anything afterwards given you're getting a Dell.

 

[MarcVenice]

Dual HD4850's look like the best value out of all those options. Single gtx280 might be preferred, but it's rather costly. To bad there's no gtx260 or HD4870 1gb option. Those are pretty much perfect for 1920*1200.

 

[qbfx]

9800GT included in price, then buy another 9800GT for $90 to SLI

 

[335Xray]

Originally posted by: qbfx
9800GT included in price, then buy another 9800GT for $90 to SLI

Yeah, I thought about that, but if you don't get the rig with SLI/cross fire installed, they don't include the bridge, is that something hard to come by?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[new22003]

Originally posted by: qbfx
9800GT included in price, then buy another 9800GT for $90 to SLI

+2

 

[geoffry]

Originally posted by: 335Xray

Originally posted by: qbfx
9800GT included in price, then buy another 9800GT for $90 to SLI

Yeah, I thought about that, but if you don't get the rig with SLI/cross fire installed, they don't include the bridge, is that something hard to come by?

Thanks,
Mike

If you get a brand new 9800GT it should be in the box

 

[vj8usa]

Originally posted by: 335Xray

Originally posted by: qbfx
9800GT included in price, then buy another 9800GT for $90 to SLI

Yeah, I thought about that, but if you don't get the rig with SLI/cross fire installed, they don't include the bridge, is that something hard to come by?

Thanks,
Mike

Are you sure it even comes with an SLI capable motherboard and PSU if you don't configure it with SLI?

 

[faxon]

if you arent sure you can always just call dell before you purchase and configure via phone. i have a friend who has done this in the past and you actually can get a lot more options if you do it this way, since you talk to a real person in the process. im not sure how much it costs exactly, but they generally are willing to work with your needs, since the alternate is you end up going to another company instead. given what they are charging for 4850CF though i would just get that and call it a day. sure, there are a couple games where it doesnt scale as well, but for the price of a 48701gb you are getting 2 4850s in CF, which will easily outperform a 48701GB in any game where scaling isnt an issue. alternatively, you could also call them, find out if the 9800GT comes with enough PSU power and motherboard support for SLI, and get a second 9800GT as well. same idea as with the 4850s, but cheaper still, though the performance will also be lower