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Optiplex 990 Mini Tower - Options To Upgrade Graphics With PCI Card?
Hi,
I would like to upgrade the graphics card in my Optiplex 990, can anyone please let me know if there are any recommended PCI / PCI express cards that are known to be compatible with the slot power rating of the system board.
The PSU is not an issue as I upgraded the shipped 240W PSU for a Corsair HX650 with modular cabling so I have got enough juice for the card. Its the motherboard slot rating and any other factors that will impact on choice of upgrade card that I am not sure about. I tried to locate some documentation on the support section of the site but kept getting error messages (servers screwed up on weekend?)
If there is a technical document that gives the ratings for the PCI slots and what can be shoved into them I would be grateful for a link?
Thx
Kelbear1
1.5K Posts
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December 19th, 2011 09:00
You need to get a PCI Express x16 video card not a PCI. If you have upgraded to a 650 watt corsair, then you should not have any limitations when you install a PCIe X16 video card. It should configure to provide 75 watts and additional watts can be provided through the PCIe power cables on the power supply.
speedstep
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December 23rd, 2011 08:00
The Spec on the 990's says 25W Max on the Video card.
Video Card
dogform
13 Posts
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December 23rd, 2011 09:00
The Spec on the 990's says 25W Max on the Video card
That does not make sense, Dell themselves are offering the 1GB AMD Radeon HD 6670 card as an optional upgrade, this draws 67W of power through the PCI-e16 slot so that 25W number is not correct
speedstep
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December 24th, 2011 08:00
The 6670 is ONLY for the MINI TOWER and its a Dell OEM so it may be clocked slower than a retail card and may be DDR3 vs GDDR5.
The 6670 for the MT is 68W the 6450 is max 20W and the USFF has zero options for ANY card. Normal cards can use up to 75W.
The Mini tower only has 265W power supply so the 6670 is cutting things quite close. Thats also why it is NOT listed as an option for the DT and SFF.
dogform
13 Posts
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December 24th, 2011 15:00
Speed Step,
The tiitle of my post indicates Mini Tower, I would have thought that it was obvious that I was referring to that. Also the 6670 card is listed as an option for the 990 Mini Tower. Anyway, I bought a 6670, fitted it and it works.
The maximum power draw from the PSU when running the Optiplex Mini Tower 990 in gameplay at max play settings for Crysis was 192W so it was well within the scope of the PSU and definitely not pushing anything close to its juice limit. Ha Ha Ha.......
dogform
13 Posts
1
December 24th, 2011 15:00
The Spec on the 990's says 25W Max on the Video card.
WRONG !!
Optiplex 990 Mini Tower as is the subject of my thread is 75W
Ha Ha Ha
Kelbear1
1.5K Posts
1
December 25th, 2011 16:00
I knew it would work with your upgraded power supply.
Merry Christmas!
Ho Ho Ho
bt31
15 Posts
0
August 6th, 2014 09:00
Hi, i'm planning to buy 6670 2GB, this http://www.amazon.com/XFX-650MHz-PCI-Express-Graphics-HD667XCLF3/dp/B00AHV7NNE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407336726&sr=8-2&keywords=AMD+RADEON+HD+6670
is it compatible ?
speedstep
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47K Posts
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August 6th, 2014 09:00
Yes it should work in a Mini Tower*. But Power Supply may need to be upgraded. The Mini tower only has 265W power supply so the 6670 is cutting things quite close. Thats also why it is NOT listed as an option for the DT and SFF. 2GIG cards will draw even more power.
It may not fit in Desktop or SFF without hacking cutting and grinding parts.
http://www.ski-epic.com/2011_low_profile_gaming_graphics_card/index.html
bt31
15 Posts
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August 6th, 2014 11:00
Thanks for super duper quick reply,, i 'm much appreciated :)
I have Mini Tower 990, but i have old and below average Radeon HD5450 for working my graphic design works.
1GB version of 6670 is here. http://www.amazon.com/XFX-Radeon-HD6670-PCI-Express-HD667XZHF3/dp/B004Z5GRW6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407344316&sr=8-1&keywords=AMD+RADEON+HD+6670
is it good to replace without upgrading PSU ? if i need to upgrade PSU which one you recommend to me?
speedstep
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47K Posts
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August 6th, 2014 12:00
The XFX 1 gig version should work fine as this is what the stock Dell uses. Again this is only for the tower however. 1 VGA , 1 Dp, 1 DVI
Opti 990 Tech Guidebook v1.5 - Dell
bt31
15 Posts
0
August 6th, 2014 12:00
i just looked up on XFX website comparing these two 1gb and 2gb card, they both require minimum 400 Watt PSU and recommending XFX 450 Watt PSU.
But Optiplex 990MT only has 265 Watt PSU and do i need to purchase 550 or something PSU with graphics card ?
btw i also planning to add additional 1 or 2 TB hard disk and one extra SSD for system drive.
Thank you.
speedstep
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47K Posts
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August 6th, 2014 13:00
The following 430w, 450w and 500w power supplies are compatible
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438015
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438016
bt31
15 Posts
0
August 6th, 2014 13:00
my main point is whether or not i need to upgrade my PSU for replacing my GPU with 6670?
But IMO, for getting extra HD and SSD they will consume even more power and upgrading my PSU will safe bet right ? if so, is 450 enough or 550 ?
Thanks
bt31
15 Posts
0
August 6th, 2014 13:00
Are dell recommend to change PSU or something to upgrade system?