Optiplex 7010, 3020, and 9010 with AMD R7 250 graphics card

Question

I currently have 3 Optiplex SFF computers - 7010, 9010, and 3020. Here are the specs:

7010 - i7, 20gb ram, stock PSU, and GTX 1060 (75 watt) gpu

9010 - i5, 20gb ram, stock PSU, and GTX 1050 (75 watt) gpu

3020 - i5, 8gb ram, stock PSU, and integrated gpu

I purchased a low profile Dell AMD R7 250 2gb ddr3 gpu to upgrade the 3020 pc. However, when I install it, there is no display whatsoever. The fan spins and the pc sounds like it's (possibly) booting up, but I never get a screen, not even a POST screen. So, I cannot change anything in the bios while it's installed.

Troubleshooting steps I've taken:

- updated all drivers and bios from dell website using their update software

- ensured that secure boot was off and legacy is enabled (I don't see any gpu settings in bios to adjust)

- tried switching to UEFI (not sure what this means, but it made the pc unbootable)

- ensured that cable is functional and ensured proper seating

- installed AMD R7 250 in the Optiplex 7010, which has the GTX 1060 (also results in black screen with no POST)

- installed in a friend's Lenovo regular sized tower (same black screen issue)

- Note: I cannot install/test the GTX 1060 or 1050 into the Optiplex 3020 because they are too thick and won't fit.

From what I can tell, this gpu should work in these computers, but tbh I don't really know. I found one thread with a user who had a similar problem - https://www.dell.com/community/Optiplex-Desktops/9010-hangs-during-boot-with-Radeon-R7-250/m-p/6166866#M28548 - however, I don't have another DVI to HDMI cable to test his solution.

I was thinking maybe the stock PSU was not enough to power the card...? I bought it used off of ebay and I was looking at either the R7 250 or an AMD HD 7570 as I don't need anything as nice as my other two graphics cards. I just want something more than the integrated graphics.

If nothing else, I'd like to know if the HD 7570 will work in these Optiplexes so I can return the R7 250. I would love a GT 1030, but they are way more than I want to spend for a "beater" pc. If they were still $80, I'd do it, but not for $140-150.

TIA!

redxps630 · Answer

3020 SFF spec says Discrete:

2 GB AMD Radeon R7 250
1 GB AMD Radeon R5 240

3020 has DP, VGA integrated video ports

Dell R7 250 has DP, DVI ports.

the solution you found in the other user report (see below) should work for you if you can connect both onboard video and R7-250 to display. If you have an old display monitor that accepts VGA/DVI, you can do so with a simple VGA to DVI dongle and a VGA cable + DVI cable.

- I booted my system into Windows without the new video card

- I removed the on-board video card device from Device Manager

- I powered off the computer

- I installed the new video card

- I plugged a display into my on-board and new video card

- I booted my system; the BIOS displayed on the on-board video connected display

- I set my BIOS video menu option to "Auto" and saved my configuration

- I rebooted my system with only the new video card connected to a monitor

- The system booted into Windows and automatically installed the new video card driver

DELL-Cares · Answer

We tried reaching you on a private message asking for the Service Tag number to ascertain the warranty but did not receive a response. Please feel free to reply to the private message whenever you are available.

speedstep · Answer

Older bios versions for these models require update BEFORE using that card. The system will halt with unsupported video configuration with monitor attached to onboard. UN SUPPORTED VIDEO CONFIGURATION

miggawhat · Answer

Thank you for the replies. Speedstep foresaw my problem with doing the suggested fix.

I plugged in the DVI to the R7 250 and the VGA to the onboard video. When i power on the computer, i get the unsupported video message in the screenshot.

Though I can see video, i am unable to get into the bios. I hit F12 to get into the boot options and bios, it gives the indication that it's booting into bios, but then it goes to the unsupported video configuration message.

So yes, i do have video, but cannot get past the error message. My only option is to unplug one or the other. VGA only will boot into windows, DVI only will get black screen (though it acts like it's booted up if I leave it alone.)

P.s. i have already done the bios update using the Dell software.

miggawhat · Answer

Thank you for the suggestion.

All of my PCs are SFF, not MT. In the bios, I do not have an option for multi-display. The only display-related option is "Video." Under that menu, I get the option to use "Auto" or "Integrated video." It is currently set to auto.

redxps630 · Answer

good that you have both VGA and DVI cables.
Re: Troubleshooting steps I've taken:

- updated all drivers and bios from dell website using their update software

- ensured that secure boot was off and legacy is enabled (I don't see any gpu settings in bios to adjust)

Try to enter bios via integrated VGA port (R7 250 uninstalled).

have you seen this option in 3020 MT bios? Try enable multi-display. Default may be disable. Then try the “solution” steps again. This might be the reason why you had not so far reached the “solution” of the other user.

Video

OPTION			DESCRIPTION
Multi-Display			Allows you to enables or disables Multi-Display, it should be enabled for windows 7 32/64bit or later only. Disable Multi Display

speedstep · Answer

@miggawhat

Advice for using onboard video with a card is misplaced for these models due to the UNSUPPORTED Video configuration issue.

The Dell R7 250 supports 2 displays.

I dont recommend using any monitor other than HDMI 720P models.

https://www.amazon.com/Eyoyo-Touchscreen-Raspberry-1280x800-Computer/dp/B085HH7MFB/

You can get DVI to HDMI and Display port to HDMI to use 2 of these.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B2HORD6

1 of these

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LGITGY0/

System halted means you MUST Turn it off and do as the screen says by removing the card first.

The card will work fine but you must first update bios to the latest version for your PC.

BIOS UPDATES MUST NOT BE DONE if you have ANY antivirus software like Mcafee or Avast etc.

You must first REMOVE that software and reboot.

Then DOWNLOAD BIOS FROM DELL ONLY.

Then Run BIOS UPDATE as Administrator.

Then put the card back in and ONLY attach to the video card.

miggawhat · Answer

Thank you for the response, again Speedstep.

When I remove or install the R7 250, I do it with the PC turned off. I have updated all the software using the Dell Support Assist software only. Initially, when I first started troubleshooting, there was an "urgent" bios update, which I did yesterday. The PC was rebooted and I watched the bios firmware get updated. Now, when I search for updates using Support Assist, it shows there are no more updates.

The cable I am using is DVI to HDMI. My monitor has HDMI and VGA inputs. Those are the connections I have been using during my troubleshooting.

redxps630 · Answer

This user recently shows installing AMD HD8490 in 3020 SFF and smooth booting. This still does not solve the issue of R7 250, but points to another door open if this door is closed (and a tough lock to pick so far)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRYVWtnL4HU

if you just need a simple $12 discrete card. Re:

I just want something more than the integrated graphics. If nothing else, I'd like to know if the HD 7570 will work so I can return the R7 250.

miggawhat · Answer

Thank you for the link. I think I'll try to figure this one out before I return it and buy another one, though.

speedstep · Answer

@miggawhat

There should be a secure boot setting F2 for the new bios under security which you will have to set to OFF using the integrated video. You can then put the card back and use ONLY the connections on the card.

Other than that the card not seating into the slot after those changes should resolve any issues.

You will need a display port to VGA if you want to use a VGA monitor.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017Q8OCSY/

miggawhat · Answer

I have to make a correction - I have been using display port and VGA connections, not DVI. The cable I've been using is DP to HDMI.

redxps630 · Answer

Re: I have been using display port and VGA connections, not DVI. The cable I've been using is DP to HDMI.

try simple DVI cable for R7 250 and VGA cable for onboard video. There is a better chance of you getting video from this card’s DVI port than DP.

Re: My only option is to unplug one or the other. VGA only will boot into windows, DVI only will get black screen

another user suggested just plug the video port of R7 250 while your computer is booting.

miggawhat · Answer

@speedstep The bios was already set to secure boot off. It was never on to begin with. The only video option available is set to Auto.

@redxps630 I'm not really interested in buying a new cord and an additional adaptor just to test the video card. I tried to plug in the cord while it was booting and after it sounded like booting was finished.

I've spent about 8 hours trying to get this thing to work and I'm pretty tired of it. It is not worth all the time and effort. At this point, it's looking like I'm just going to have to return it and get an HD 7570 or possibly a GT 1030.

I really appreciate all the help, guys.

Optiplex Desktops

Optiplex 7010, 3020, and 9010 with AMD R7 250 graphics card

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