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Dell optiplex 990 SSF video / graphics upgrade
I have a dell optiplex 990 ssf with an i5 processer, 4GB ram and 240w psu, my aunt got me for school this year. it is perfect for writing paters and surfing but I'd also like to play some video games. I'm pretty sure the integrated graphics card isn't much for gaming. As I searched the forums here I came across a potential limiting factor of this motherboard as to a 25w limit to the pci-e slot. This motherboard has only 2 16x sized pci-e slots and nothing more. The documentation is unclear as to which motherboards in the optiplex 990 series has this limitation and which integrated video system is included. Could you please help me as to which video cards I can utilize in this rig?
Currently my 2 considerations are:
Radeon HD 6670 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile
or
Radeon HD 7750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready
Both are low wattage and low profile.
I do not intend on overclocking anything just to use this system for moderate gaming on occasion.
Any advice would be appreciated.
ahlaw
2 Posts
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August 30th, 2012 22:00
Hi, I personally have a Dell Optiplex 990 SFF, the upgrade you are looking for is the Sapphire 7750 Single Slot Low profile. It performs considerably better and draws lesser power (7750 TDP 55W 6670 TDP 68W) compared to the 6670.
Beachmark 6670 and 7750 - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7770-7750-benchmark,3135.html
To add on, there's another added bonus that it frees up the other 16X (4-Wired) Pcie Slot for 1X Pcie 4 Port Usb 3.0 expansion card.
At the very least that is the setup i am using and it's perfect for my use.
Hope it helps!
daveabear
7 Posts
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August 15th, 2012 14:00
here is a link to the motherboard: http://www.ztronics.com/desktop-parts-oem/desktop-motherboards/dell-optiplex-990-motherboard-0d6h9t-d6h9t.html
daveabear
7 Posts
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August 15th, 2012 14:00
edit: This is a SFF or Small Form Factor
freakmarket
270 Posts
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August 16th, 2012 09:00
i would be afraid both those cards come really close to drawing too much juice for the 240w PS ... in this situation i usually point people to this PCPER.COM article that show a system with all its parts including a HD 6670 at max load draws about 208 watts ... that 32 watt comfort zone makes me nervous. pcper.com/.../Power-C
daveabear
7 Posts
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August 16th, 2012 12:00
link for lower power consumption of HD 7750 1GB: pcper.com/.../Radeon-HD-7000-Family-
daveabear
7 Posts
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August 16th, 2012 12:00
Thanks for the post, very valuable info!...I do have an SSD I was considering installing (currently there is a 320GB and I have a 128GB SSD) I hope to reduce the partition size to fit it all on there...perhaps that will lower the power usage just enough. So, according to you I don't need to worry about any limitations of the motherboard (only 25, 35 watts supplied to the Pci-e slot), as the motherboard itself doesn't have them? I need to worry more about the power supply? Is that right? If so, that is helpful for me as I consider my options. The HD 7750 seems to draw slightly less power, is pic-e 3.0, but is about $30 more online. Otherwise it hardly seems worth it to upgrade for anything less. Are there SFF available aftermarket for such an issue?
daveabear
7 Posts
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August 16th, 2012 12:00
Would it waste my money to try it without a new power supply? With a 32-40 watt comfort zone, why is that too close for comfort? On these forums I have read that the stated wattage for some dells is less than actual wattage. With 32 extra watts it seems like plenty of power for such a low power machine. Why should I be concerned? In other words, I don't understand why I can use all the wattage available and still be safe. Thanks in advance for the reply.
rdunnill
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August 16th, 2012 19:00
If the card works, it's not a waste of money.
freakmarket
270 Posts
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August 19th, 2012 00:00
i dont know if they make a hd 7750 small enough to fit in your case.
ahlaw
2 Posts
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August 31st, 2012 00:00
yeap 240w PSU should be enough for the system.
rdunnill
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August 31st, 2012 00:00
Someone reviewed the Sapphire, and measured 147 watts total system draw at gaming load.
freakmarket
270 Posts
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August 31st, 2012 12:00
no way a whole system with hd7750 at gaming load could be 147 ... pcper.com has it at just over 200w .... pcper.com/.../Overclocking-Power-Consumpt
rdunnill
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August 31st, 2012 20:00
The test system you are referring to had 16gb of RAM, a Velociraptor hard drive, and a 1200-watt power supply. Is it any wonder its power consumption was over 200w?
Here is the page with the 147w measuring: www.overclockersclub.com/.../14.htm It had an SSD and a 750-watt power supply.
rdunnill
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August 31st, 2012 21:00
The Sapphire 7750 is a small, one-slot card similar in dimensions to their 6570 offering, which I fit into an HP S3XXX mini-ITX slimline. (It is currently in an Optiplex 960 SFF.)
As for the Patriot memory, I wouldn't recommend something with tall heat-spreaders in such a small case.
daveabear
7 Posts
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August 31st, 2012 21:00
Wow, Fantastic responses...Thank you guys for the time! I'll look over those links. Could i also add these: www.tigerdirect.com/.../item-details.asp and still be below wattage? Where could i find out? For that matter, would these fit in the SFF case with the fins?