9 Posts
0
15383
Inspiron 3670, video card install
Bizarre, but for the first time ever, I can't figure out how to install a video card into the Inspiron 3670, and it has to do with those metal slot covers on the back. When you take out the screw and rotate the card-retention bracket (that stays attached), you can remove the metal slot cover of the first one on the left easily. But the next three seem to be part of the back? And I need slot 2 for the video card install.
Do i have to physically break the metal cover to remove it? Seems like it shouldn't be the case.
Picture to show better what I am talking about ....Cover1 comes out easily, 2, 3, and 4 seem solid
speedstep
9 Legend
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
1
July 5th, 2018 10:00
2, 3, and 4 have a slot in them so you can insert a flat blade screwdriver and bend them or poke them out.
That is a break away slot cover. Stick a screwdriver in one of the slots and start rocking it back and forth to break the little places where there is still some metal holding it in. It takes a bit of force and courage that you are not doing something wrong because it seems that you are breaking it-which you are, but it is designed to be broken. Just be careful not to bend the frame around the slot cover.
Mudslide
9 Posts
0
June 28th, 2018 13:00
Okay, I found a youtube video of a 3650, different setup but the guy DID have to tear the metal slot cover off. How silly, I liked the old style where once you unscrewed any retention bracket, you just pulled out the metal covers easily.
RoHe
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
43.6K Posts
0
June 29th, 2018 11:00
Why haven't you read the Service Manual for the 3670?
Looks like there's a screw on the outside of the case that needs to be removed so you can install (or remove) and add-in PCI-e card. No "tearing" required! :Wink:
Are you saying #1 in your pic is in front of the PCI-e x1 slot, and #2 is in front of the x16 slot where the video card goes?
Mudslide
9 Posts
1
June 29th, 2018 14:00
Yes, #1 is in front of the x1 slot, and #2 is in front of the x16 slot for the video card.
Manual didn't help, the one screw you remove only makes it so that the retention bracket can be pivoted downwards, but only #1 slot has the removable metal slot cover. #2-4 have to be torn out.
RoHe
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
43.6K Posts
0
June 29th, 2018 17:00
Geez...
badterrible design.... :Embarrassed:Mudslide
9 Posts
0
July 1st, 2018 13:00
Yes, and it's a shame too because for such a small case, it is nice and wide open to work on. Optical drive at very top, power supply and hard drive at the very bottom... minimal cabling. All nice and neat. Dropped the ball on those slot covers though.
RoHe
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
43.6K Posts
0
July 1st, 2018 17:00
Any chance you can route the video cable through the opening created when you remove #1 from the back panel, so you don't have to cut metal?
There are right-angle video cables and right-angle video cable adapters which might help with this issue...
Mudslide
9 Posts
0
July 2nd, 2018 18:00
Possibly, but I may just bite the bullet and start cutting xD. The thing is though, with just the i5-8400 cpu, 8 Gigs of RAM, and integrated HD 630 graphics, be darned if the thing isn't running snappier than heck. So I have pressed pause for a bit... eventually the Dremel will probably make its appearance though. :D
RoHe
10 Elder
10 Elder
•
43.6K Posts
0
July 3rd, 2018 11:00
Well, maybe they never expected anyone to install an x16 video card if this PC runs so well with onboard Intel Graphics, and that's why the back plate in front of that slot isn't removable without surgery.
Rob6991
4 Posts
0
August 2nd, 2018 20:00
I can fit my GTX 970 into my new inspiron 3670 with a little cable rearrangement, but I'm unsure what power adapter I need. In my previous computer this video card used all 14 pins (8+6). The inspiron appears to have 4 pins going into the onboard graphics, so will a 4 pin to 8 pin adapter do the trick? I'm also (hopefully) assuming this psu will power the GTX 970, but right now I just want to see if it works.
Thanks.
speedstep
9 Legend
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
August 18th, 2018 13:00
The inspiron appears to have 4 pins going into the onboard graphics, so will a 4 pin to 8 pin adapter do the trick?
NO
I'm also (hopefully) assuming this psu will power the GTX 970
NO a 290W power supply is NOT going to work.
A Moddiy CAB359 Adapter to convert 24 pins to 8 would be required AND the mounting of an EVGA 750B1 will have to be modified because of the Fan orientation. OR you move the power supply outside the case.
https://www.moddiy.com/products/Dell-OptiPlex-3020-PSU-Main-Power-24%252dPin-to-8%252dPin-Adapter-Cable-%2830cm%29.html
larrylowell
3 Posts
0
December 20th, 2018 10:00
I to have a 3670 and a GTX790. I just hooked my 3670 to a killawatt meter. It has, 3 500GB SSD's and a 1TB SSD. No HDD.
It peaked at boot at 95 watts, fluctuates, between 45 and 62 watts.
That leaves about 220 watts of the 290 watts unused.
EVGA does call for a 500 watt power supply. But they don't tell you what the card draws.
speedstep
9 Legend
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
December 20th, 2018 11:00
monstrous cards from NVIDIA, the GeForce GTX 790 and GeForce GTX Titan Black Edition.
If you mean 970 this is also a problem because all these cards REQUIRE AUX power.
You cant do that with a 290W power supply.