Best Graphics card for a 9020 MT

Question

Hello again!

I mentioned in my last post on what I will attempt to do next. So, I will attempt to get a 9020 MT, to sort of "complete" my collection. (I know there is a 9020 Micro, but I have no interest. If somehow I end up with one for free I'll figure something out if that time comes.)

My plan is: (once I verify everything works and BIOS is up to date)

- Install a i7-4790K Processor in. I am already aware that I will need to replace the power supply with an aftermarket one, and I will need to get the 24 to 8 pin adapter.

- Max out RAM at 32GB.

- Install 2 1TB SSDs and an extra Optical drive to compliment the one already there.

-, Install an extra USB 3.0 hub into the PCIe (x4) slot.

- Windows 10 (I have no plans to go to 11.)

Here's where I'm confused. I want to put a nice graphics card in for gaming. I know the PCIe x16 slot is a PCIe 3.0 standard, so I am looking at video cards that would use that. I want to give this PC the best chance it can. I would like to install a 6 or 8GB card. But, in using the Bottleneck calculator, it seems that there will be bottleneck no matter what card I use. But here's the thing... i don't plan on running games at their max setting. Probably medium to High, depending on the game. The two cards I am considering is a GTX-1660 Ti (6GB GDDR6, cheaper) and an RX-580 (8GB GDDR5) Can anyone recommend any other decent cards for this? Thanks!

CBIVTI22 · Accepted Answer

Okay, to solve this question:

RX-580 (8GB GDDR5) would work fine. Upgrade power supply to either aftermarket PSU (with 24 to 8 pin adapter) or use the 365W PSU (but it will cut it awfully close in terms of power consumption.) I even splurged a little and got my 4790K, and it does make a slight difference overall. Project is now finished.

Now, what to do next... maybe go for a 9010 or maybe a newer model...who knows.

The inside of my 9020MT. While fitting the graphics card, I accidently broke a piece of plastic off for the front USB panel. It still works, just need to be careful.

redxps630 · Answer

1650S 1660S rx 570 rtx 3050 rtx 2060 https://gamersdiscussionhub.com/the-best-gpu-for-i7-4790k/

bradthetechnut · Answer

9020 MT PSU is only 290w. I didn't check wattage and PSU requirements for all the cards redxps630 mentioned,, but it looks like a 500w or 600w EVGA BR PSU would have some of the bases covered. It never hurts to be a little future proof also. In other words, higher wattages give it more future proof for future upgrades. Depends on how far you want to go with the 9020.

A couple of screengrabs below:

If you were to want recommendations to go with a 290w PSU and i7-4790, those can be given too. While a 9020 can take a i7-4790k, there's no OC in BIOS. But as I understand it from redxps630, the k version is better with less bottleneck for some cards.

All depends on your gaming needs. May be check recommended (not minimum) requirements for some of your favorite games. You mentioned a couple of GPU's that are a little on the higher end, so there you go and there's some options.

bradthetechnut · Answer

365w PSU from XE2 MT is also an option for some cards, but probably none of the aforementioned.  100w cards would do ok with it.  120w cards I'm not as sure about, but may be possible.

CBIVTI22 · Answer

I actually considered the RTX-3050, but the only reason I rejected it was that it uses a PCI 4.0 interface, and the 9020 mobo is a 3.0. Would this be a concern? I've had some mixed answers from others.

CBIVTI22 · Answer

Yes, I am aware of the no OC support on the mobo. Base clock of the 4790K is 4GHz, I believe...? I know it's better than its non-K counterpart.  I will more than likely install a 500W PSU (maybe a 600, once I add up total wattage) I don't plan on upgrading the GPU any further after I install. I am working a project to launch in 2023, and since my main PC is OOS (out of service) I will need to build something to get me started on my project, because I don't think my 9020SFF would be enough. Also, it would be kinda cool to have (most of) the complete 9020 series.

bradthetechnut · Answer

Something that may be worth checking out:  I7-4790k RTX 3050 Bottleneck Analysis

redxps630 · Answer

Re: it uses a PCI 4.0 interface, and the 9020 mobo is a 3.0. Would this be a concern?

not a concern. PCIe 4 gpu is backward c/w PCIe 3. 3050 is a better future proof card. One day perhaps soon you will be moving the gpu to a newer desktop model.

CBIVTI22 · Answer

Now that I think about it, my SFF has the Radeon RX6400 which is PCIe4.0, but works fine overall. I did notice that every so often, the framerate very quickly drops to like 50, and then jumps back to 60 again. The system fans do kick on briefly, but then shut back off. Not much of an issue, but hey, it's an SFF.

I did find an RTX-2060 at a decent price here , but the specs might be a bit overkill for the 9020 MT. It'll work great with my main PC, assuming I can get it fixed. I'm probably going to stick with the GTX-1660. (probably Super since it's slightly cheaper than the Ti) I don't plan on running my games at max settings, and after looking through my library, pretty much all of them recommend 4GB or better for optimum play, so 6GB should be more than enough.

But first, I need to get the actual PC and get it working.

Larry Breavman · Answer

PCIe ports are retrocompatible, so you can use a graphic card PCIe 4.0 on a PCIe 3.0, you only lose some bandwidth, not very much because RTX 3050 has a 8 lanes PCIe, if it had only four lanes such RX 6400 and 6500 that loss will be bigger. Here the main problem is the bottleneck that I7 4th gen. makes to graphic card.

I'm using a RTX 3050 in my main PC which has a mobo with PCIe 3.0 and it runs flawlessly, it has a Ryzen 2600X, also I tested with i7-4770 and had bottleneck.

Maybe, the best option for your PC is a GTX 1650 DDR6, it's cheaper than RTX 3050, only drains 75w from PSU and doesn't make bottleneck.

A too powerful graphic card for a processor that cannot profit all its power is a waste of money.

(By the way I tested RTX 3050 on a mobo with PCIe 2.0 and it loose a lot of performance)

CBIVTI22 · Answer

Yeah, I'm slowly figuring this out. When it comes to PCs in general, I could probably build them blindfolded! But, throw Gaming in the mix, and I'm still pretty much a noob at it. I think I will stick to the 1660, since I don't see any 6GB versions of the 1650. To me, it doesn't make sense to get another 4GB card, because then I would just have a glorified version of my SFF. I'll save the RTX3050 or the 2060 for my main PC which is currently OOS (it has a Ryzen5 1600 with a GT1030)

I think I have all the info I need. Now I need to get the actual 9020 MT. Will update this thread later.

CBIVTI22 · Answer

I'm finally getting around to updating this. So, I have bought 32GB of RAM for it, and soon I'll be getting the SSDs. I haven't got the 9020MT yet (I'm still waiting on work, but if this keeps up, I'll probably just cave in and buy one off of eBay) I was going to get the i7-4790K but right now, that is just out of reach for me, so I'll stick to the regular i7-4790 for now, since I have a spare.

I discovered that Dell offered an RX-580 graphics card at one point (DPN 0JTPTC) and as a sanity check, will this particular part fit in to the 9020 MT? I'm going to be replacing the PSU with a spare 500W aftermarket unit I have (yes, I know I'll have to get the 24 to 8 pin adapter) so power should not be an issue. I will also be replace the CPU heatsink with a better one (DPN J9G15) for better efficiency.

bradthetechnut · Answer

Just to let you know, the heatsink part # above is for an XE2 SFF.

Best bet bet is to measure. I think you have around 10" length to work with.

Edit: Well, also, Will the RX 570 & RX 580 work in the Dell Optiplex? | 3020, 7010, 9010, 9020 video .

redxps630 · Answer

In case you just like to tinker more w optiplex, this video https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j8ez-6ffxxU shows how to use dell cpu back plate (option #2), extract Dell M3 screws w springs from stock cooler, exchange standard 4 pin cooler fan for a dell 92 mm 5 pin fan on a cooler master heatsink w heat pipes. It might work better than the oem heatsink copper core J9G15 (which is for sff w shroud but shroud can be removed to use heatsink for mt too)

redxps630 · Answer

It looks like the Dell oem RX 580 JTPTC dimensions are identical to another Dell oem RX 570 WNH0V, which is 9.5” long. The max length gpu 9020 mt can fit is 9.5-10”. “To be on the safe side the maximum GPU length you can use on OptiPlex 3020, 7020, and 9020 is between 9.5 and 10.0 inches.”. you should be ok.

WNH0V

JTPTC

Optiplex Desktops

Best Graphics card for a 9020 MT

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