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November 2nd, 2022 08:00
Best Graphics card for a 9020 MT
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
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April 9th, 2023 11:00
I found a picture of the inside of the MT and if I eyeball it, It might be enough room. Worst case scenario is that I can remove the HDD cages and mount the SSDs in the secondary optical drive bay, with an adapter. I'm not sure if the cages can be easily removed or if it's riveted to the chassis, and would need to be drilled or Dremeled out.
CBIVTI22
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April 9th, 2023 12:00
Okay, I'll go ahead and pick up the RX-580 then.
Yeah, I'm looking at some possible hacks for cooling. I know Dell uses proprietary connectors and pinouts (like most companies do) but if I can figure out what they are, i could interface an aftermarket cooler to the motherboard. It also looks like there's room for a front intake cooler as well.
CBIVTI22
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April 9th, 2023 13:00
Hey, one last question before I buy - is that particular video card 4 or 8GB? I'm seeing both 4 and 8 GB cards with the same DPN. Or am I not seeing things correctly? Can someone confirm as a sanity check?
redxps630
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April 9th, 2023 13:00
JTPTC is 8GB. I have verified it in Dell part database
AMD Radeon RX 580 (150W) with 8GB GDDR5
Dell also offers 4GB RX580 with a different DP/N
RX580 comes with either 4 or 8 GB VRAM.
redxps630
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April 9th, 2023 13:00
Better use Dell 92 mm fan. Otherwise you might get a bios startup error.
120 mm heatsink fan may be too big for Optiplex mt case.
other example of non-Dell 92 mm compact tower cooler: ARCTIC Freezer i11 74 CFM CPU Cooler
bradthetechnut
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April 9th, 2023 13:00
If you're referring to the below photo, indeed, 120mm heatsink may be too big.
CBIVTI22
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April 9th, 2023 14:00
Okay, I feel a little relieved now... i hate getting myself into an unnecessary tizzy, lol.
CoolerMaster makes a low profile heatsink with an ARGB 120mm fan, and looks like the stock CPU cooler except maybe a little bigger. I was only able to find it for the AM4 socket, not sure if they make one for LGA1150.
But to be quite honest, I'm getting way ahead of myself here. Let me get the graphics card and the actual computer first and then we can go from there.
bradthetechnut
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April 9th, 2023 14:00
I can't help but answer.
This cooler is for an LGA socket. However, fan is likely too big to clear RAM.
https://a.co/d/db9EWyi
CBIVTI22
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April 10th, 2023 20:00
@bradthetechnut I just noticed your edit and saw the YT video you linked in... so now I'm wondering if that 365W supply will actually work.. but I am a little cautious about it. The video card pulls 150W, and the processor will require 84W. That leaves 131W for everything else. I'm planning on putting in two 1TB SSDs, eventually upgrade the processor to the 4790K, and maybe add some cooling options. I'm also thinking of adding a second optical drive into the secondary bay, assuming I can save the HDD cages.
Also, regarding the cooler: What I can do is after the PC comes in, I can rough fit the cooler I have so I can gauge if it will clear the RAM, and if it will fit, then I'll order the proper cooler for it.
CBIVTI22
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April 22nd, 2023 22:00
One last update on this: I finally got my 9020 MT, the Dell RX 580 graphics card, and I also took a gamble and bought the 365W Supply. Spent today updating the MT, making sure everything was in working order. I swapped out the processor for the i7-4790, changed the drive to a 1TB SSD, and inserted the video card. It was a bit of a tight fit but it worked, so I was able to save the HDD cages. Loaded Win10 and the relevant drivers for the PC and did some gaming. The card runs about 10-15 degrees cooler than in the SFF. Peaked at around 77°. PC runs great, and rather quiet as well. I don't have any pictures to show, maybe next time I'll update again. But I think I can say that this project is done, for the most part. Now, on to the next project, whatever that will be...
redxps630
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April 23rd, 2023 05:00
What is sum total of this budget upgrade? Do you have 2022-2023 AAA games to test benchmark?
btw for comparison
CBIVTI22
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April 23rd, 2023 11:00
I'll be testing those in the coming days. As for budget:
PC itself: $100 (originally had an i5-4570, 16GB DDR3-1333, and 500 GB HDD)
Vid Card: $100
PSU: $40
1TB SSD: $50
32GB DDR3-1600 CL11 RAM: $32
total: $322 No processor price since I already had it.
bradthetechnut
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April 23rd, 2023 15:00
Glad you got it working!! : )
bradthetechnut
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May 23rd, 2023 10:00
I like your setup. But it's unclear what PSU you use. Are you using the 365w one?
I think I might know what you mean in terms of power consumption. A bit of a side note, in my living room PC, TV, a.c., and other electronics are all on one 15a circuit. Now days, apts. like mine should have 20a circuit. I had 20a circuits in my previous apt. and the a.c. barely flickered the lights when kicking in.
Currently, I've had my PC skip when a.c. kicks in. Circuit isn't overloaded, but a.c. compressors need a surge of power to kick in. 7010 has it's OEM 275w output PSU.
CBIVTI22
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May 23rd, 2023 21:00
Yes. I am using the 365W PSU. I took a bit of a gamble and used that one instead of an aftermarket PSU. The total power of everything hooked up to said PSU adds up to about 365W, which leaves no room for error. The video card itself requires 150W, which, I'm glad I got the Dell version rather than another brand. Dell's card is basically a stock RX-580, non-overclocked. Had I bought another brand, I would have had to do the aftermarket PSU option, since most of those cards are overclocked and need more power (You do get better performance though.)