Alienware x51 r2 upgrade questions.

[YiheHearts]

So i got the x51 before ns, running good back in the old times, max out settings at 1080p during the year 14.

2years pass, the graphic card is getting slower and slower.

Planning to do a uprade by changing the mobo and case.
Cause most board partner's card cant go in.

I think the cpu still can tahan 2-3years before bottlenecking the gpu.
Currently is i7-4790.

Any recommendation for lga 1150 socket motherboards?
Planning to go with rx480 crossfire.

So i think 2xpcie x16(x16) is needed
At least (x8x8) i guess.

 

[markpyrozen]

I Just did this project too although mine was the 2011 version. You will need a new PSU and generally its recommended to go with a single GPU as based on the forum here I have seen a lot of people trading in their sli for a single gpu, using a single card means that you dont need to change mobo if your current one is still working which could cut cost. Or you could get an Asus Z87 Pro if you really want to change mobo

 

[YiheHearts]

The current mobo has a 4pin fan power beside the pcie slot. So the only way to plug the gpu in is having an extention like the one we have in x51. Gpu holder i guess. Mostly in mitx case. I am actually planning to get a mid tower. For better cooling. Getting tired of small case. And also, nvr tried cf or sli before so wanting to try it. May never know, maybe dual config will get bettet within a year. Haha.

I Just did this project too although mine was the 2011 version. You will need a new PSU and generally its recommended to go with a single GPU as based on the forum here I have seen a lot of people trading in their sli for a single gpu, using a single card means that you dont need to change mobo if your current one is still working which could cut cost.

 

[markpyrozen]

oh yeah i forgot to add that i used an extension! Anyways im also interested in changing the mobo anyways so I will follow this thread!

 

[YiheHearts]

I am looking into atx mobo, casing should be easy, two 120mm fans infront, one 120mm exhaust fan behind, either exhaust fans or intake fans on top depending on gpu whether blower of open air. That should be all for casing.
Mobo i got a hard time, too many mobo only have (16x4x), its decrease cf or sli performance by 4-5frames.

oh yeah i forgot to add that i used an extension! Anyways im also interested in changing the mobo anyways so I will follow this thread!

 

[ZrE0_Cha0s]

anyway for amd they are able to support CF mode at x4/x4.
but since u want a x8/x8 is like u demand a sli board though.

anyway these are the board for SLI (which can use CF as well):
ASUS Z97 PRO @339
ASUS Z97 DELUXE @499

all prices are quote from Cashtronic.

these are CF supported board :
Asus VANGUARD B85 @175
Asus Z97-k @199
Gigabtyle GA-B85-HD3-A @175
MSI Z97 PC MATE@169

All prices are quote from PCTheme.

Well due to the new skylake board, haswell board are getting lesser so these are the choices u can get, i mean u could also do some research on your own and check for other SLS shop prices as well.

Next for the case u can get this : Tecware Alpha Black Window @66

this is case is the current most budget mid tower, another is the sliverstone just that i cant rmb the model number.

oh ya forget about the PSU for the CF RX 480 u can get SF Ledex GOLD 650W @119 in PCTheme.

 

[Krabs.]

might as well sell it away since you only reuse the cpu .... don't break down a fully functioning computer

 

[YiheHearts]

I found a asus z97 pro gamer with 2x 1600 ram at 8g per. For 300. Used, purchase last year, with all recipt full box and all under warranty? Is it a good deal? Theres actually test results showing that x16x4 will have 4-5frames lower then x8x8. Its always better to get the good one though. for 16x4x board there is actually the asrock b85 killer for 140only. Bnib. Psu i am thinking of getting 700-800w onces. Once gpu oc. w's are skyrocking.

 

[YiheHearts]

People are selling r2 at ad low as 650dollar. Just enough for me to get a new mobo with 4gen cpu

might as well sell it away since you only reuse the cpu .... don't break down a fully functioning computer

 

[MiFan4149]

But then you are changing most of the parts out anyway
1) PSU
2) GPU
3) Case
4) Motherboard
With those changes it will cost more than $650. Only the Ram and HDD can be reuse and most probably u need another version of windows since the version in the x51 R2 will be OEM

 

[ragnarok95]

Asus Z97 pro-gamer with 16gb for $300 is a alright pricing. Seriously, you can't really find a good z97 Mobo now. I know because it took me a couple of months to find a good Mobo that support my current 4770. Not many people are selling cos it is still quite a good mobo and the performance gain from Haswell to skylake isn't convincing enough to make the jump.

 

[YiheHearts]

Psu+mobo+case should be around 400. Gpu can be reuse, the alienware r2 mobo is a need for R1 users who wan to use gpu above 120w. I think most people who still wan to use x51 will buy. Even if i change the gpu i believe some people can buy my gtx760ti for sli, or just use it. Selling it cheap of cause. 100dollar should be a decent price. The cost will lower if i reuse cpu, ram, hdd. Windows wise, i upgraded to win 10. Bind with microsoft account. it can be use on all system if i am not wrong. Its not oem anymore after windows 10 upgrade.

But then you are changing most of the parts out anyway
1) PSU
2) GPU
3) Case
4) Motherboard
With those changes it will cost more than $650. Only the Ram and HDD can be reuse and most probably u need another version of windows since the version in the x51 R2 will be OEM

 

[YiheHearts]

Yup, thats my thoughts too, haswell can last at least 2-3 years more in my opinion. Anything i need to look out for buying a second hand mobo? What the guy told me is that he's using air cooling on the mobo. So i guess wont have water leak problems. Anything else i need to take note?

Asus Z97 pro-gamer with 16gb for $300 is a alright pricing. Seriously, you can't really find a good z97 Mobo now. I know because it took me a couple of months to find a good Mobo that support my current 4770. Not many people are selling cos it is still quite a good mobo and the performance gain from Haswell to skylake isn't convincing enough to make the jump.

 

[MiFan4149]

Yup, thats my thoughts too, haswell can last at least 2-3 years more in my opinion. Anything i need to look out for buying a second hand mobo? What the guy told me is that he's using air cooling on the mobo. So i guess wont have water leak problems. Anything else i need to take note?

Bent pins and the capacitors on the motherboard

 

[YiheHearts]

Thanks , other then physical damage,.anything need to be tested with softwares?

Bent pins and the capacitors on the motherboard

 

[MiFan4149]

Thanks , other then physical damage,.anything need to be tested with softwares?

If it can boot into bios then most probably it wouldn't have any issue. But then you are planning to try out RX480 cross-fire might as well build from scratch and sell the complete x51 build

 

[YiheHearts]

A new build easily go up to 1500 for a decent one, even if i sell the x51, its still too ex for me.
I will just recycle the cpu, ram, hdd. cost will be around 500 for everything. Decent to run a few years with a alienware case that when i need i can just install back. or maybe just sell spareparts.

Cpu i7-4790 reuse
Ram 2x4g reuse 2x8g for 60dollar
Asus z97 pro gamer 200dollar second hand parts use for a year only
Sharkoon dg7000 for 100dollar
Thermaltake smart se 730w for 100dollar
Ssd 120g for 60.

If it can boot into bios then most probably it wouldn't have any issue. But then you are planning to try out RX480 cross-fire might as well build from scratch and sell the complete x51 build