790 SFF, GPU upgrade

Save your money and put it towards your next computer. The obsolete SFF 790 does not support any worthwhile video upgrade--case is too small and it has a tiny, under powered power supply. Use it as is until you can replace the computer. 

There is only 1 card I recommend.

https://www.pny.com/geforce-gt-1030

https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/pny-geforce-gt-1030-graphics-card-2-gb-gddr5-low-profile/apd/a9763687/graphic-video-cards

Anything can be done, if you have the and knowledge, so don't listen to those saying it cant be done or trying to tell you it cant be done. The Optiplex 790 is one of the best older PC's for upgrading, I know from experience. I still purchase used 790's for that exact reason. To upgrade them as a low end gaming PC's. I get very nice benchmark scores, even playing games suck as PUBG, WWII AND Black ops 4. And as far as the "SFF" Nothing a little ingenuity and a Dremel cant fix. So ignore the negativity ..It can always be done, if you really want it. ;)

The optiplex is far from obsolete. Greatest older PC for upgrading if someone is on a budget and just starting out and it can easily be switched out to an ATX Case Bigger PSU . I took a 790 sff I paid 70 bucks for put it a a nice $20 ATX Case with a 600 w psu ($35.00), and put a nice used 1070gpu ($75.00 on craigslist), added 8gb ram($27.00 bucks on ebay) for a total of 16gb. So for $200.00 I have built numerous decent starter gaming machines. Just take a little know how and research. Never say Never ;)

hi plz tell me will the GT 1030 fit the dell optiplex 790? 

You can squeeze a low profile GTX 1050ti if you are willing to spend a bit for one

https://www.newegg.com/msi-geforce-gtx-1050-ti-gtx-1050-ti-4gt-lp/p/N82E16814137081?item=N82E16814137081&source=region&nm_mc=knc-googleadwords-pc&cm_mmc=knc-googleadwords-pc-_-pla-_-video+card+-+nvidia-_-N82E16814137081&gclid=Cj0KCQjwh8jrBRDQARIsAH7BsXegt_vCNgVzAUraX95rUkPPTua5T8f6J4bsQFVBSQaihHnn-_ifRhEaAvntEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

someone who has installed one in a similar system(7010).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agi1xKavTL4

Thank you! Are you a Rock musician ?

The concern with the 1050 ti low profile, ignoring the power question, is which PCI slot it can go in. There is a suggestion that space forces you to use the x4 and not the x16. Does that mean you are not getting value out of the card?

1050 ti is not working because there is LESS THAN 300W power in ALL 790 models.

You can upgrade power supply for the mini tower but SFF would require having the power supply outside the case because there is no room inside.  The video card may not fit in sff due to the same issue where there isn't enough physical space.

There are other SPACE issues regarding the low profile slot.   Consulting NASA won't help.

http://www.ski-epic.com/2011_low_profile_gaming_graphics_card/index.html

its  $15 card used.

why put $150 on top of $15

why not get  MT, any MT 790  up is good, even the mighty $50 DELL 3020 MT,  buy that and upgrade that.

or a 790 MT,  far far better. and cheap used, buy them with no HDD and add SSD, win.

my 790 has 700watt PSU.  but is MT. as are all my PCs rated for that. 500 to 700watts.

that way any card works. 99.9% pure. (0.1% buggy dell BIOS)?

2 issues first is age, it is old, and upgrading old PCs is costly ($150 GPU on $50 PC? why  do that)

I have  mt790 and runs any card I want.  but  the SFF is a big pain

why not take your cash and get a real PC, used, MT sized so any card fits.

there are 10 stop makers and each have 10 models for every card, 100's of cards.

and used cards in the 10,000  possible (endless that)

that  is the reason no hits for 790 but I have posted here on MT 790s many times, and listed 20 cards that work

your PC is too small, limiting good and vast choices,

here are 11,000 others that  used other GPU cards (most are MT , SFF, all are a pain for power and fit)

on all or most dells.

• must fit and not hit (things)
• must not overload the lame 25watt, x16 slot , some SFF at dell have NO SLOT.
• must not overload the PSU.
• and last not fool DELL BIOS. (turn off UEFI for sure and upgrade the BIOS if fails)
• Low profile cards are limited to 25watts (atx spec, posted here) one more reason never to own SFF.

atx spec verbatim, x16 look,

the sff data sheet clearly states

1 half height PCIe x16
1 half height PCIe x16 (wired x 4) 

you need to use the blue socket i think means BLUE = GPU  supported.   4 lanes are NO  GOOD.

all this  is in the service manual of  you read it.? free to read 24/7

790 SFF only

I have nothing against the MT or DT and know they are better for expandability, but I already have an SFF that I'm putting the best reasonably priced graphics card for a family member. I do't at this point wish to purchase another PC. Think of it as 'up-cycling'.

Thank you savvy2. Interesting prior to reading I had put a 1030 GT in the grey slot and it runs fine. I will try the blue and see how it goes, as at the moment performance seemed to be fine. Re the manual - yes, I know it's free to read, but the technical one doesn't show up so readily on the UK support site. Have now found the technical manual n the US site and enjoyed a free read.