Optiplex 3040 SFF - GPU Recommendations

Question

Hi one of my clients purchased 2 x Optiplex 3040 SFF a few years ago and now they want to add a GPU to allow them to do a small amount of 3d drawing as the current onboard struggles.

I would normally say that you are going to struggle to get a GPU that will fit and help with any 3D drawing but they want to look at adding a GPU anyway.

Can anyone recommend a GPU that will work with this machine. I understand Dell recommends 2 AMD but I have seen other GPU like NV 1030 out there, Only thing is they run 2 monitors one off DP and one HDMI so need that option.

Thanks for any help

DELL-Chris M · Answer

The Optiplex 3040 SFF 180w or 240w PSU validated low profile video cards are below with Dell part number =
N81X7 AMD Radeon R7-350X DP/DVI-I
X0CVJ AMD Radeon R5 340X DP/DVI-I
W42M3 AMD Radeon R5 240 HDMI/DVI-I
F9P1R AMD Radeon R5 240 DP/DVI-I

As you can see, none of them have both an HDMI out port and DP out port. Once a video card is added, the user cannot use the onboard DP and HDMI out ports. Check with the users monitors. Maybe one of them has DVI in.

sj.hwang · Answer

Dear, I have optiplex 3020, it has R5-240 card (DP & DVI). Is R5-240 support 4K@60Hz output?

Tesla1856 · Answer

@SykesITwrote:

1. Hi one of my clients purchased 2 x Optiplex 3040 SFF a few years ago and now they want to add a GPU to allow them to do a small amount of 3d drawing as the current onboard struggles.

2. I would normally say that you are going to struggle to get a GPU that will fit and help with any 3D drawing but they want to look at adding a GPU anyway.

3. Only thing is they run 2 monitors one off DP and one HDMI so need that option.

1. Surely they can demote these to someone else and buy appropriate computers.

2. Trust your (first) gut feeling next time. :Smile:

3. Oh, good. So then it sounds like you are off-the-hook. Now help them buy a proper computer (maybe just one for now if money is tight). They can take turns. :BigSmile:

Tesla1856 · Answer

@sj.hwangwrote:

Dear,

I have optiplex 3020, it has R5-240 card (DP & DVI).

Is R5-240 support 4K@60Hz output?

You tell us (who knows with these baby cards) but it's often a limitation of the monitor itself.

elpro999dell · Answer

Just grab a GT 710 or a GT 1030.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GIGABYTE-GeForce-GT-710-DirectX-12-GV-N710D3-2GL-REV2-0-2GB-64-Bit-DDR3-PCI-Expr/381752629755?hash=item58e23ad9fb:g:f6oAAOSww1dZ0P01

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Palit-GeForce-GT-1030/152634974864?_trkparms=aid%3D555019%26algo%3DPL.BANDIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150817211623%26meid%3Debc43e1d53d04d70a8fa4290b3ab2a92%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26%26itm%3D152634974864&_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226

Ram_2019 · Answer

Has any one got GT 1030 Working on Optiplex 3040 ?

speedstep · Answer

I doubt anyone has with the 180W unit. Making an Adapter and using powersupply outside the case may be required.

GT1030 definitely works. Secure boot must be OFF for Non Dell card.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/msi-gt-1030-2g-lp-oc-graphic-card-2-gb-gddr5-pcie-30-x16-low-profile-hdmi-displayport/apd/aa362018/graphic-video-cards

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y32mBdZHJY

Ram_2019 · Answer

Thanks for replying. GT 1030 runs off the on-board power with just under 35W TDP. I was hoping to buy a low profile so it fits . Just not sure if the mother board would accept it. I dont want to buy and have stuck with it not working. About powering it externally I haven't tired that ever . But I do have a 400 W power supply collecting dust. I mean optiplexe's are so locked down, powering a graphics card externally is that even possible with optiplexes, ?? Has any body successfully tried ? Thanks in advance

Horizontory · Answer

According

https://www.hardware-corner.net/guides/best-dedicated-gpu-for-dell-optiplex/#GeForce%20GT%201030%20Low%20Profile

the GeForce GT 1030 Low Profile (35W) is your best option.The 3040 SFF has a very 180W PSU.

Some people report success using GeForce 1650 (75w), but this can be recommended only for personal experimentation.

Mark Rocka · Answer

@Horizontory I had also read of people using the GTX1650 in an Optiplex 3040 SFF, so I bought one. Problem is, it's a dual slot card and the PCIe pins on the card are positioned on the wrong side. It lines up with the PCIx slot. For some reason, Dell thought it'd be a good idea to put the PCIe slot farthest away from the CPU.

Does NVidia make this card with a slot on the other side, or did I just read something that isn't true? I hope I can get something better than the GT1030 for this PC, but it's not looking good.

Thanks for any advice you can share.

Horizontory · Answer

@Mark Rocka

You are right, the GeForce 1650 (75w) will not fit into the Dell 3040 SFF because the PCIe x1 is not open ended.

And no, I don't know any double slot GPUs that are using the right slot.

Note: The Dell 5040 and 7040 will fit the 1650 as the two models use an open ended PCIe x4:

https://www.hardware-corner.net/guides/difference-optiplex-3040-vs-5040-vs-7040/#difference_sff

chris2099 · Answer

i have a dell optiplex 3040 micro i want to upgrade the gpu but dont what will fit i want to buy the radeon r7 240x but dont know if it will fit

bradthetechnut · Answer

Optiplex micros have no expansion slots for GPU cards.  Unit is also too small.  GPU cards in Optiplex micros are a no.

speedstep · Answer

'Optiplex micros have no expansion slots for GPU cards.' This is true In General they also have less than 75w power brick. HOWEVER there is a proprietary 7080  micro that has much bigger power brick and a Radeon RX640  GPU in X8 Slot. This option must be ordered CTO it cannot be added later. https://www.delltechnologies.com/asset/en-us/products/desktops-and-all-in-ones/technical-support/optiplex-7080-spec-sheet.pdf Micro:1 SATA slot for 2.5-inch HDD1 M.2 2230 slot for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card1 M.2 2230/2280 slot for SSD/Intel Optane 11 M.2 2280 slot for SSD1 half-height Gen3 PCIe x8 slot (for discrete graphics)

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Optiplex 3040 SFF - GPU Recommendations

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