Upgrading a gifted computer.

Specs are currently:

Intel i7-5820K Haswell @ 3.3Ghz
16Gb Samsung DDR-4 2133
Sapphire R9 390 Nitro OC
Toshiba 2TB 7200RPM HD
Samsung 128Gb PM851 SSD
Kingston SSDNOW 300V 240GB SSD
850W Dell PS(Model #HU850EF-00) *If anyone can tell me more about this I'd love it.
I can provide pictures of the top of it if it helps.
Alienware Mobo *Not sure the specs..

I'm currently upgrading it. The video card has been upgraded and I plan on buying another to SLI them in the near future, but for now it appears to be plenty for me. I've been told, Thanks Dan_D, that I probably need to upgrade the power supply immediately. Thus currently sitting in my cart is:

CORSAIR RMx RM1000X 1000W ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Power Supply (I figure if I'm going to Xfire AMD cards I should go bigger rather than risk the chance of enough power) $149.99 - $20 MIR (I ignore this bc who knows how long it'll take to show up)

CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3000 (PC4 24000) $89.99 (Saw this is 1.35v issues?)

I'm going to hit the buy button tomorrow at noon unless I hear otherwise on these two.

Plan is to buy a MOBO also. Case will come within the next month to get rid of my Alienware Area-51 case. I've read pretty good things about this:

MSI X99S SLI Krait Edition LGA 2011-v3 Intel X99 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $239 -$20 MIR

It seems to be pretty much everything I need. Also a fan of white on black. Money is a slight issue, but I have no problem dumping a bit of extra money for futureproofing, something that works well.

On the upside, I can provide pictures etc of everything if your curious. Case suggestions are also welcomed. I am a big fan of this:

Corsair Obsidian 750D Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

A bit expensive, but for a nice case I don't care, as I intend on selling most of the parts I'm upgrading.

That particular power supply that came with the Dell looks to be an excellent supply.

Efficiency is top notch on that unit according to the report below.

http://www.plugloadsolutions.com/psu_reports/DELL%20INC._%28DELL%29HU850EF-00_850W_EU-006_Report.pdf

From my experience with Dell computers over the last 16 years, the higher end Dell machines that come with the higher wattage power supplies usually have really well made power supplies in them.

OP, it seems to me that you are pretty much buying a whole new computer. The only thing left of the original Alienware is the CPU and maybe hard drive.

outside of that, seems like the choices for you parts are pretty good. as for the RAM, standard is 1.20v so 1.35v shouldnt be a big deal. Previously DDR3 standard was 1.5 and thats what Intel recommends, but many people, including myself run kits at 1.65v without problems.

I'm honestly surprised. Everything I've heard suggested otherwise. No offense, but I'll probably wait to hear a more general consensus. The data does seem to speak for itself though. Its weird how Dell decided to build a PC with an expensive case, expensive(Delta) fans and a top of the line processor, but neglected a lot of other things. I'm not confident in Dell right now after talking to their customer service either.

cyclone3d said:

That particular power supply that came with the Dell looks to be an excellent supply.

Efficiency is top notch on that unit according to the report below.

http://www.plugloadsolutions.com/psu_reports/DELL%20INC._%28DELL%29HU850EF-00_850W_EU-006_Report.pdf

From my experience with Dell computers over the last 16 years, the higher end Dell machines that come with the higher wattage power supplies usually have really well made power supplies in them.

Click to expand...

Did a little digging and the OEM of the power supply seems to be HuntKey:

http://www.certipedia.com/companies...ilding-in+type&locale=en&title=Schaltnetzteil

Theres more to a power supply than just efficiency. That chart doesnt show anything about the build quality or ripple suppression or voltage regulation.


OP, Huntkey makes mostly crappy units and occasionally good ones. The one way to be sure is, if youre comfortable, opening the unit and taking pictures and asking the experts at Jonnyguru. Do be warn that if you dont know what youre down, opening a PSU can be DEADLY. Just ground yourself and let the unit discharge for about a day and you should be safe. Or just take the easy route and get that Corsair RM.

Thanks for all the support everyone. Its been mentioned in older posts, but I used to build 12 years ago when I was younger, then everything besides computers seemed cooler(sorry, I know I lost my way). I now have the resources at my hands and although doing a bunch of research is prudent, this community has never steered me wrong. I have the skills to open the PSU(Biologist/Chemist*Opened a NMR in school*), I'd prefer to not do that now as I have the means to just buy a new one. I'll probably just purchase a new one to be safe. If I miss anything in that PS or mistakenly mess up, it just makes sense to buy a new one if I have the money. I can install this in the backup PC.

The power supply is top notch with all Japanese caps. The only other one I would consider is the EVGA G2 1000watt, but its 15 bucks more. Ive always had great customer service with Corsair as well (hear good things about EVGA as well).

Thorough review: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story2&reid=449

Anyway, good luck with the build and have fun with it.

P.S. Pm me if youre interested in selling/trading the Alienware parts and if youre in SoCal. I have a friend with a bare 5390K that needs a basic home.

Oh yes and NMR machines are stupid. At least the 1970s era one we had at our school. Flaky and temperamental like a menopausal teen fighting over a guy.

Unless a 128GB OS/Programs drive is sufficient, I'd replace the NVME SSD with the Samsung 950 Pro 256GB. Get rid of the Kingston V300. Alternatively, if you don't care about NVME, replace both SSDs with a 512GB Samsung EVO or Samsung Pro.

Assuming the case will sit on the floor/in a cabinet, I've always been a fan of the 90-degree rotated Silverstone cases (no graphics card droop!), for the ease of rear port access. It appears the ones currently available (Newegg doesn't stock them) are the Raven RV02 and Fortress FT02.

A gifted computer meaning a computer received as a gift. I saw the title and immediately thought of AI systems.

I don't personally see the point to any of this. It's a great computer as is, but it's your money.

Also, you say SLI but have an AMD card. SLI is Nvidia only. Crossfire is when you have two or more AMD cards.


Here are some things not mentioned yet:

1 - The OS may be tied to the motherboard. Dell works this way, but not sure on Alienware. If you replace the board, then you may need a new OS. You better check into this and budget for it, if necessary.

2 - Your plan for RAM seems odd. One perk of the Haswell-E platform is quad channel memory. Why by a memory kit with just two sticks? There may not be a big performance jump between dual and quad channel, but if you are going to all this rebuilding expense, why take a shortcut in this one area?
Quad channel can't be much more expensive, if at all.

I'll buy the case off you when you "upgrade."

You're saying money is tight and then you're buying a $200 motherboard and a $150 case that you don't need. I can see a bigger PSU if you want to crossfire a 390 and maybe a larger SSD upgrade, but there's really no reason to upgrade the case and motherboard.

Get the X99A SLI Plus

This deal showed up today..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128829&leaderboard=1

Should I pull the trigger now or stick with the MSI? I'm ready to buy. Just saw tax return. I'm replacing anything I'm mildly unsure about, Mainly the PSU.

kirbyrj: Sorry, When I say limited or tight, I mean I can't spend another 2k on parts. I would have just built from scratch originally. I'm not normal I guess.

I realize I say SLI when I have AMD. Its me just not thinking.

I'm going to stick with the Corsair I think. I've decided to upgrade to a 4k TV so I'll be Xfire'ing. Thanks for all the help!

I still say just live with the machine as it is unless something fails, otherwise it's a waste of money replacing working parts.

The MSI is highly regarded lately, Gigabyte's UEFI implementation leaves a lot to be desired.