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I plan on ordering a Dell XPS 8500 with an i7-3770 processor, 12GB RAM, and an AMD HD 7870 graphics card. The computer comes with a 460W PSU. I was wondering if it would be possible for me to buy a second 7870 and run them together. Would there be enough power for both the cards with a 460W PSU?

(I plan on getting the second card for when Arma 3 comes out)

Thanks

No, you'd need a bigger PSU. Probably 650W.

How much are you paying for this PC anyways? You may be able to build your own.

Dell sucks on many levels.
The highest level is the cost of sales tax and shipping.
The second highest level is the pricing structure they use through various sales channels (i.e. full price web dell.com, employee discount programs, dell outlet, etailers, retailers, EBay retailers) all get different prices for the exact same product.
They regularly change suppliers, so the same model number might get different manufacturer for the PSU, HDD, GPU, over the course of the product cycle for the "XPS 8500".

So, how to save money,
I suggest not buying a Dell. If you are set on buying a Dell,
1. Join fatwallet.com 's online money back program. Make sure toclick through to get the discount.
2. search out discount codes for Dell XPS desktops
3. Keep a constant eye on the Dell.com Outlet for your PC or equivalent : http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSale ... l=en&s=dfh
4. Various groups get Dell discounts, such as National Association of Realtors, government empoloyees, credit union members, etc. THese "Discounts" are not real discounts usually, but sometimes with other coupons it comes out ahead... read more here: Dell Member Purchase & Employee Discount Program (MPP) | Dell
5. Follow Dell's twitter feeds
https://twitter.com/DellOutlet
https://twitter.com/Dell
How to Receive an Additional Discount on Dell Computers | eHow.com

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My other suggestion would be to found a second tier VAR, and buy from them, again look online for discount codes, coupons and use fatwallet for 5% cash back,
cyberpowerpc.com
powerspec.com
http://www.ibuypower.com

Well, I can't really build PCs because I have no idea how. And I have always been concerned about the PCs from places like cyberpowerpc.com and ibuypowerpc.com. Something seems "sketchy" about those companies. All I care about is a PC about $1300 or less that I do not have to build myself and can run Arma 2 and Arma 3 at Max/High

Thanks for you help

cookoo04 wrote:Well, I can't really build PCs because I have no idea how.

I didn't, but with the help and support from the guys here I realized it's SOOO SIMPLE. It's really too simple. Only thing you have to worry about is compatibility, and trust me, guys like LITO know their shit and will get you the best bang for the buck on building a rig.

But I do agree with him. Dell really isn't the best option. And I've had an ibuypower and know a few guys that have them and none of us have had a single problem with them. ibuypower is pretty top notch with building PCs. cyberpower is pretty much the same way. But you can hands down build your own for cheaper than what you can buy from them.

Edit:ibuypower is having a big sale right now. You can get a lot of free upgrades. They usually always have that option, but I did notice they give the option to pick your motherboard, but for the price to upgrade it seems a little absurd to do so. Some of the upgrade prices put you in the ASUS Maximus price range.

But here's some on Newegg.com I found in the price range.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6883229340
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6883229336
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6883229317

With that last one you could sell off the GPU it has in it then buy a GTX 6XX card or an AMD 7970 or 7950 and come out with a better CPU than the first 2 that I posted.

Let me add that Dell.com has awesome deals with credit card companies,
standard Discover card members get cash back
high end Discover card members get 5% cash back until Dec 31st,
sign up for fatwallet.com 6% cash back program, click through, then use a high end Discover card members get 5% cash back until Dec 31st, and get 11% cashback total, and use coupon codes or buy from the Outlet to further save money.
When you go this route, you come to realize just how ridiculously high the full retail pricing is on Dell PCs.


my airlines miles credit card has deals right now:
2/miles/dollar and
Free shipping on everything from Dell Home!
Valid through: 10/30/2012

Save 25% on select Dell laptops and desktops!
Don't forget your offer code!
Valid through: 10/31/2012

Since you are asking for suggestions, I have to ask that you verbalize why you are justifying buying the i7-3770 (Non-K edition) over the i5-3570K CPU.

Right now you can get this:
Configuration#: 1EHPNP http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/saved/1EHPNP
$1265
before all applicable rebates
-$60 in rebates
+$50 Shipping
Estimated ship date:
Tuesday, 10/23/2012

I just built a custom PC that is only slightly better than this for the same price.
You will want to buy 3 quiet case fans for another $45,
and a SSD drive on Black Friday sales.

I came up with this from ibuypower. Same CPU, GTX 660 Ti, liquid CPU cooler, professional wiring. Shipping will run about the same.

iBUYPOWER Computer :: 2012 Paladin E

Same thing as LITOs build, you should eventually invest into some case fans and an SSD would be a good upgrade to it.