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Graphics card for OptiPlex 9020 SFF
I've got an OptiPlex 9020 SFF and am wondering what is the best possible graphics card that can be installed given the following constraints:
- Single slot - due to the PSU being a short distance away from the PCI Express x16 slot
- Length < 17 cm (6.5") - it appears the SFF can only take cards of length upto about 16/17 cm
- Only low profile/half height - due to SFF
- Powered by PCI Express only - due to PSU not having additional power outlets, and PSU is a 255W 90% unit
I'm considering one of these options:
- PowerColor AXR7 250 1GBD5-HLE http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JQUBLY4/
- VisionTek AMD Radeon 7750 SFF 1GB http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RLHFQ6/
Will either of these cards be compatible with my 9020 SFF. Are there other better options I can consider?
speedstep
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July 14th, 2014 07:00
Low Profile cards by definition are 25w max.
Radeon 5450 = 19W
R7 250 = 68W
Thats why Fanless cards are used because they cannot afford the power for the fan. All sizes of ×4 and ×8 PCI Express cards are allowed a maximum power consumption of 25 W. All half-height cards are initially 10 W; X16 cards may configure themselves as 'high-power' to reach 25 W, while half-height ×1 cards are fixed at 10 W.
Even if you get a Tower You CANNOT USE Double wide cards because they don't Physically fit. Tower X16 Slots are marked 75W and have a 305W power supply not 255W.
speedstep
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July 15th, 2014 18:00
"8570 ddr3, LP, 1 DP 1 DVI"
This is not a pick from anywhere off the shelf card.
It has DDR3 vs GDDR5 ram to save power and is likely underclocked 64% so that it draws 25W or less. Power usage is slightly higher for the GDDR5 card—12 watts under idle and 68 watts at load, compared with 4 watts and 24 watts for the DDR3 version.
arunphilip
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July 14th, 2014 07:00
Thank you for your quick response.
I'll pass on the Radeon 5450 - I already have that in my desktop (a Dell Zino 410), and its a 'meh' card - good for media, but just average for games. I've also heard that the stock Intel HD Graphics 4600 that I have outperforms it, so there's no upside to using that card.
Why do you believe the R7 250 would have power issues? I'm happy to have it explained to me that I'm wrong, but my line of thinking was that the R7 250 uses only the PCI Express x16 slot for power (i.e. up to 75W) and doesn't require any 6- or 8-pin power plugs, and the 75W is something that any motherboard should provide per standard.
speedstep
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July 14th, 2014 07:00
I believe only a ASUS EAH5450 SILENT(LP) Radeon HD 5450 is going to work.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121476
This R7 250 would fit but I'm doubtful about the power as the 5450 uses 19W and the R7 250 uses 68W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131576
arunphilip
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July 14th, 2014 08:00
Cheers, that was most useful - I wasn't aware of the 25W cap on low profile cards :emotion-3:
I've seen Wikipedia also states the same information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express#Power
In that case, I'd best stick with the Intel IGP.
arunphilip
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July 15th, 2014 01:00
I've been digging into the power limitations a little further, and am probably more confused than ever! :emotion-2:
Firstly, according to Wikipedia, the PCI Express specification does state that x16 low profile cards are limited to 25W draw.
However, on the Dell.com (i.e. US) site, one is able to configure the OptiPlex 9020 SFF itself with an AMD Radeon HD 8570 card. This card has a 66W TDP despite it being low profile. The support manual states that all OptiPlex 9020 SFFs ship with a 255W 90% efficient PSU.
I've examined my motherboard, but don't see any wattage indications similar to what SpeedStep has posted.
I know that Dell have bespoke motherboards for their models. So, are they providing additional power to the x16 slot to enable power draw > 25W?
Liquidlogic
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January 1st, 2016 02:00
Hello SpeedStep,
it is over a year, pls can you update the topic and pick up some new graphics card, which can fit in Dell Optiplex 9020 SFF. PSU is 255w.
Thank you very much
Liquidlogic
arunphilip
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January 2nd, 2016 06:00
For info, I've installed an AMD Radeon R7 250 card nearly 18 months ago, and have been satisfied with its performance. The specific card I have is this PowerColor model: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JQU6WQ6
Liquidlogic
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January 2nd, 2016 07:00
Oh, it is interesting. I´ve bought same from Sapphire (czech shop, pls translate to english in chrome)
http://www.czc.cz/sapphire-r7-250-1gb-gddr5-low-profile-micro-hdmi/145880/produkt
GPU works few seconds and from then only black screen. I need to shut down the computer, remove card and use dedicated :(
tomt0528
3 Posts
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June 8th, 2016 01:00
So the R7 250 GPU does not work in your Dell Optiplex 9020 or the card was faulty from that supplier?
tomt0528
3 Posts
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June 8th, 2016 01:00
I have a Dell Optiplex 9020 and using 2 AMD Radeon R5 240 as have 2 monitors but the graphics performance is really bad and def the weakest link in my system. Am I able to change and install 2 of the AMD Radeon R7 250 cards in my PC? I see Amazon is out of stock but i see czech site it is available. Are there any other newer cards that can be used?
Here is a link to my performance test
http://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/1212191
tomt0528
3 Posts
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June 8th, 2016 01:00
Hello Speedstep;
Any update here? I am using 2 AMD Radeon R5 240 with 2 monitors and GPU performance is really bad. ANy suggestions on what I can replace with?
Liquidlogic
4 Posts
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June 8th, 2016 02:00
GPU does not work :(