High Performance Graphics Cards for Gaming and Computing: Make this an option for non-alienware

December 14, 2010

Posted By:  Win7Dev

45 Votes

Status: Archived

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I have been looking for a good laptop and desktop to use for programming. I am a developer, using Visual Studio 2010 (mainly C++). After much researching and customizing different models, I have found that there are no non-ailenware computers that support the high-end, non professional graphics cards, not even the XPS systems because the power supply is not enough. The XPS 9100's 525W supply will not support an NVIDIA gtx 580 at full use (they don't even offer gtx 460!). I am not biased toward Nvidia or ATI, I just need the high end cards for debugging purposes, and eventually I am going to start developing for OpenCL, or another language used for gpu acceleration. I don't want an ailenware computer at my office, nor do I want an ailenware laptop at home. I would gladly pick a workstation, but I can't get consumer graphics cards with them, only professional cards. I just need high power and high performance computers. I am definitely on a budget, so I don't want anything that I don't need. As for laptops, the XPS 17 is okay, but I really would like to be able to get the gtx 470m or gtx 480m assuming the cards for that system has to be Nvidia. I have tried numerous time chatting with sales reps, and all they tell me is that I should get a workstation or an XPS. Servers are definitely not what I need. I shouldn't have to have a server to debug some games and compile raw code.

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  • Feb 9, 2011     Comment Link

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    Posted By: Win7Dev

    I would just like to know, what does Dell think about letting some higher performance graphics cards into the XPS line. I mean seriously, no Ati/amd Radeon 6xxx series yet and no Nvidia 5xx or even the older gtx 460 and higher cards?
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  • Dec 27, 2010     Comment Link

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    Posted By: Win7Dev

    I probably should have mentioned that I live in the US and there is nothing higher then the geforce gts 240 (there is the ati 5970, but that is a $580 upgrade). The gts 240 is definitely not enough. The ati 5970 would be okay, but I could go out and buy a card for less then $580 and probably replace the power supply as well for less then that. I thank you for commenting, but Dell just doesn't give me gtx 460 as an option and I find it a little ridiculous to have to go out and buy parts for a brand new prebuilt computer. If I do have to get my own parts I will not be ordering from dell. I could probably save over $450-$500 by going and getting a case and putting it all the needed parts.
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  • Dec 26, 2010     Comment Link

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    Posted By: andragon

    http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b=&c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&kc=DRSSX002&l=en&m_30=322642&oc=D00X8104&rbc=D00X8104&s=dhs

    The XPS 8100 desktop offers either a Radeon 5770 at £799, which is decent.  Or that config upgraded with a Geforce GTX 460 which you mentioned, is fro £889.

    These prices are reasonable considering the rest of the components.  Wasn't that hard to find and they should be pleanty for your needs here *nod*