Optiplex 790 DT Upgrade

Question

I don't know much about building PCs, but I was thinking of upgrading an old Optiplex 790 DT I had lying around that I got for free a couple years ago, and I was thinking of upgrading it to game on. I've watched a bunch of videos of people upgrading old computers like this one and I think it would be a good idea as the mac I have been using since 2015 is starting to get old and doesn't run most of my games as well as I would like. Right now my Optiplex has an Intel Core i5-2400 @ 3.10GHz, 4gb DDR3 RAM, 250w PSU, an AMD Radeon HD 5450, and is running Windows 10 pro 64-bit. It also has a USB 3.0 card next to the GPU that I don't really use. It can run games like Minecraft or Among Us with about 20-60fps with a little bit of lag but when I try to play other games such as Team Fortress 2, Fistful of Frags or other fps games it plays around 7- 20 fps with noticeable stuttering. I was also going to upgrade the memory as I will need to use a computer for online school, and I like to have a lot of tabs open while playing games. I was thinking of getting a GT 1030 or a GTX 1050 low profile, and upgrading to 12gb RAM by adding Crucial 8gb kit (4gbx2) DDR3 1.35v. Would it be a good idea to upgrade the power supply or any other parts if possible? I'm looking to spend around $180 CAD ($136 USD) or maybe around $300 CAD ($227 USD) if I save up until the end of the year. Please let me know if you have any good recommendations/ advice or if you have done something similar yourself. Also, would it be a good idea to wait? Because from what I've heard prices for parts and shipping have gone up due to the pandemic. Thanks

bradthetechnut · Answer

The following screengrabs are from PC Builds:

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Either the 30w GT 1030 or the 75w GTX 1050 will be fine. Your 250w PSU will power either.

Almost the only to upgrade PSU's is to have one that sits outside the case. A no-name brand might make an upgrade PSU, but I wouldn't chance it.

A 7010 is the newer version of 790. Couldn't pull up much for 790 DT with GTX 1050, so I went with 7010, which has the same PSU's. Optiplex 7010 DT + GTX 1050 + YouTube List

josephfishy · Answer

Thanks, I've been looking for low profile GTX 1050s (not ti) but cant find any, do you know anywhere I can buy one?

bradthetechnut · Answer

https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Geforce-Profile-Graphic-GV-N1050OC-2GL/dp/B06X9GLGSC  Besides Amazon, Walmart.com, newegg, and ebay are just a few places to check out.

josephfishy · Answer

I checked many websites and they are most currently unavailable, or like $350 (more expensive then the 1050ti lp), including the amazon link. Should I just wait a couple months until there are any online?

Bends33 · Answer

@bradthetechnut  I just recently got an optiplex 3010 tower... Was curious to know if could get the xps 720 case and use my guts for that case.... Looks like the IO plates and power supplies are in the same area..... Just curious on this or would I be wasting my time?

bradthetechnut · Answer

Hi @josephfishy,

That's up to you if you want to wait. As for the Amazon link, for me it said "See all buying options." It was nowhere near $350.

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I also noticed results are different whether app or online is used. App didn't show me anything I wanted to see, except when I used the link. Sometimes I used incognito mode in Google so if check something online and want a link, it doesn't revert to the app.

bradthetechnut · Answer

Hi @Bends33,

You'd be so lucky if anything lined up - The rear panel is completely different. Dell does not publicly document wiring, like for the front panel. MB screw holes won't line up, so on and so forth. Things can change simply from Optiplex to Optiplex with proprietary Dell.

If you don't like your Optiplex case, one idea is to paint it. I painted some of my previous ugly flat black 755. Some YouTube videos are even better, like a Star Wars version of the 755 or one like it. Or a green lit watercooled Optiplex SFF or DT.

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Bends33 · Answer

@bradthetechnut Yea I've been doing research on it quite a bit since tuesday when I got it,..... I had a720 and always really liked the case  I had a pretty good idea that it wouldn't fit so started coming up with other ideas... I'll post before and afters when I complete it .... Think it will turn out rather nice. Thank you for your response though.. I figured if anyone knew it would be you.

bradthetechnut · Answer

You're welcome.   Sounds like you got yourself a plan for your Optiplex.

Optiplex Desktops

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