Right, its no problem for the PCIe socket to fit. The problem that I have run into is that the newer cards are meant to be mounted upside down to how the old computers are. This causes the card to miss-align with the openings on the back of the case. Where the monitor plug would need to exit the case there are NO OPENINGS!
I guess one could get out the angle grinder and clear stuff out of the way.. for me its not something I want to do. I prefer to go buy some more $40 2010 machines to play with rather than have to grind on 2005 era machines. Maybe that is the way to go here.
Right, its no problem for the PCIe socket to fit. The problem that I have run into is that the newer cards are meant to be mounted upside down to how the old computers are. This causes the card to miss-align with the openings on the back of the case. Where the monitor plug would need to exit the case there are NO OPENINGS!
I guess one could get out the angle grinder and clear stuff out of the way.. for me its not something I want to do. I prefer to go buy some more $40 2010 machines to play with rather than have to grind on 2005 era machines. Maybe that is the way to go here.
I still don't follow you. That has not been my experience.
These 4 video cards: Nvidia: 7300-GT, 9600-GTS ATI/AMD: HD-5770, HD-7750
Have been easily installed in both my XPS-410 (BTX) and Vostro-460 (ATX) . No need for Dremel tool. :Smile:
Right so I'm talking full size cases here, its not a question of room inside the cases. You are correct I am working with modern GPU cards with "double slot" design. They want to crash into the area in your photos with the pink plug. I was hoping to be able to install something more modern than 8800gt.. but maybe that is what I need to go with.
I was hoping to be able to install something more modern than 8800gt.. but maybe that is what I need to go with.
I also put a dual-slot AMD-5870 (requires two 6-pinners) in my XPS-410. Easy-peasy, so I guess it depends on which "BTX machine" you are talking about.
Personally, I think Core-2 Quads were great for their time, but as old as they are now, I don't think I would use it as a base for a gaming rig these days. Dell switched back to ATX long ago and I'm sure there are some nice off-lease OptiPlex deals these-days.
I was hoping to be able to install something more modern than 8800gt.. but maybe that is what I need to go with.
I also put a dual-slot AMD-5870 (requires two 6-pinners) in my XPS-410. Easy-peasy, so I guess it depends on which "BTX machine" you are talking about.
Personally, I think Core-2 Quads were great for their time, but as old as they are now, I don't think I would use it as a base for a gaming rig these days. Dell switched back to ATX long ago and I'm sure there are some nice off-lease OptiPlex deals these-days.
@I have to disagree my Optiplex 780 has a Core 2 Quad Q9650 and it can run modern games pretty well I've played Sniper Elite 4 at 1080p @56.22 FPS. The reality is a modern GPU can transform an old PC.
@I have to disagree my Optiplex 780 has a Core 2 Quad Q9650 and it can run modern games pretty well I've played Sniper Elite 4 at 1080p @56.22 FPS. The reality is a modern GPU can transform an old PC.
Sounds nice, but I think you misunderstood what I was saying. I didn't mean to diss your rig.
I just meant ... if someone was going to drop a SSD and $400 Nvidia video card (like GTX-1070) into an old desktop to make a "gaming machine on the cheap" ...
It should at least be a ATX-form-factor mini-tower ... with an least an Intel-i5 quad-core (4 thread) but preferably, an Intel i7 quad-core (8 thread) CPU. After all, you are going to keep it that way for a couple of years. Even something like that is already 8 years old (the oldest and cheapest). From 2010 with an included OEM Windows-7 license (ready for free Windows-10 upgrade).
Tesla, I ordered an inexpensive older i3 to replace this machine for my son. I think your advice is right on the money. I paid less than $100 including shipping for a fairly powerful complete machine.
BTW the Dell machines I am talking about are Athlon x2 era machines. I realize they are borderline on new software, but for me that is what makes it fun! To find out how long my old systems can keep going. Maybe if I have time I will get back to them later on when I find some decent older video cards that fit. If the modern games/apps wont run on them, there is always the older ones... Will not be the most dollar efficient path, but sentimental attachment can make it worth the $10 to $40 of upgrades per machine, I feel like. Its amazing how cheap some of the older components are.. $5 to $10 for processors, $10-20 for older gpus.
I also have some Dell P4 machines, but after reviewing benchmarks, I'm resigned to the fact that P4 systems not worth even $20 in upgrades.
Regarding duo dual and quads.. I also agree with elpro that the duo era system are not yet hopeless with modern apps if you upgrade them. I've got duo era machines for family and friends running fine with newer software. When given a processor update or some extra ram its pretty amazing what they can do at their age. But AFAIK all Dell duo core era boxes open to the left side and fit dual slot modern geforce GTX type video cards fine. This fitment issue of this thread is only on earlier systems like Athlon x2 or P4.
1. Tesla, I ordered an inexpensive older i3 to replace this machine for my son. I think your advice is right on the money. I paid less than $100 including shipping for a fairly powerful complete machine.
2. Regarding duo dual and quads.. I also agree with elpro that the duo era system are not yet hopeless with modern apps if you upgrade them. I've got duo era machines for family and friends running fine with newer software. When given a processor update or some extra ram its pretty amazing what they can do at their age.
1. Smart move. Now he's taken care of for a while. And if you do make some small upgrades, they will be a wise investment.
Since you can still upgrade Windows-7 to Windows-10 legit for free (Shh, don't tell Microsoft) :Smile: ... it's really nice when all the machines you take care-of are running Windows-10.
Also, I was surprised to see that today's Intel-i3 benchmark equally with Intel-i7 from 7 years ago.
2. You only have one CPU socket, so make it count. The difference between Core2 Duals and Quads is not minor. In most cases, the Quad version is twice-as-fast ... compared to it's (little-brother) Duo/Dual version.
I've been going to 771 xeons for the old intel 775 socket "core" systems I have been upgrading with 100% satisfaction from their users. The machine I am typing on right now was a dual core 775, now quad 771. What all upgrades really boil down to is benchmark per dollar, you need to limit your spending on any given system to the appropriate lvl.
Personally I would dump around $40 max in to a "core" system for life extension, maybe $20 for the Athlon x2, zero dollars for a P4. I'm talking unrecoverable costs like CPU upgrades or older RAM. GPU $ is exempt as you can always swap into newer architecture systems when its finally time to recycle ole yeller. That is how I can justify trying to put a GTX660 or GTX650 in very old machines....
As far as the older i3 machines go, I have done cheap quad core xeon upgrades in these generation Dells before too, so I agree he will be set for minimum 5yr.
I have found a compact quadro 600 gpu for the x2 system that fits. So I will upgrade the Athlon x2 system to win7, 4gb ram, and the quadro. Will report back and let you all know if it was worth the effort.
Reporting back in on the dell 5150 or whatever it is. I forget the model name but its this should apply to any 2004 and earlier case. The older video cards I had were junk, but I was able to get a modern dual slot GTX750 card to fit. It required some mashing of the card and case described below.
Mashed a hole into the back of the case in the spot above the top most slot for the gpu backplate to clear the case.The steel is so thin, its really easy to clearance it. I just used a big adjutable wrench and twisted back and forth.
Broke off the 2nd steel end tab from the video card back plate so it would fully slot into the pci slot. Same wrench method.
Broke the plastic fan shroud off of the gpu so it would clear the ginormous cpu fan shroud. Same wrench method.
Broke the bottom row of pins off of the motherboard small square heatsink to clear gpu. Used the same wrench method.
Works great now. My daughter's minecraft/schoolwork/whatever machine is ready to go.
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
May 4th, 2018 07:00
There is no such thing as upside down right or Left Facing.
The problem is that SINGLE SLOT ONLY and NOT 12 INCHES LONG is the case for Many Optiplex and Inspiron Models.
The card Below is a PNY Geforce 8800 GT
Riser for Desktop Models is only 1 Slot wide also and again 8 inches long.
This guy documented this problem very well.
http://www.ski-epic.com/2011_low_profile_gaming_graphics_card/index.html
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.3K Posts
0
May 3rd, 2018 15:00
I'm just guessing, but I think you are talking about old BTX vs ATX (that Dell went back to).
It's the same PCIe video cards for both.
Not sure why you had a problem, but I don't think it was the BTX form-factor of the motherboard. Yes, I own an old XPS-410 (well, it's in storage).
PotatoE Masher
9 Posts
0
May 3rd, 2018 15:00
Right, its no problem for the PCIe socket to fit. The problem that I have run into is that the newer cards are meant to be mounted upside down to how the old computers are. This causes the card to miss-align with the openings on the back of the case. Where the monitor plug would need to exit the case there are NO OPENINGS!
I guess one could get out the angle grinder and clear stuff out of the way.. for me its not something I want to do. I prefer to go buy some more $40 2010 machines to play with rather than have to grind on 2005 era machines. Maybe that is the way to go here.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.3K Posts
0
May 3rd, 2018 19:00
I still don't follow you. That has not been my experience.
These 4 video cards:
Nvidia: 7300-GT, 9600-GTS
ATI/AMD: HD-5770, HD-7750
Have been easily installed in both my XPS-410 (BTX) and Vostro-460 (ATX) . No need for Dremel tool. :Smile:
https://www.dell.com/community/Vostro/Vostro-460-XPS-8300-Upgrade-Adventures/td-p/6054983/page/2
PotatoE Masher
9 Posts
0
May 4th, 2018 11:00
Right so I'm talking full size cases here, its not a question of room inside the cases. You are correct I am working with modern GPU cards with "double slot" design. They want to crash into the area in your photos with the pink plug. I was hoping to be able to install something more modern than 8800gt.. but maybe that is what I need to go with.
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
May 4th, 2018 19:00
Zotac and others make Single Slot Versions of 1030 and 1050 TI cards. They work fine in Mini Tower Optiplex and Inspiron.
https://www.zotac.com/us/product/graphics_card/zotac-geforce-gtx-1050-ti-mini
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814932060
elpro999dell
367 Posts
0
May 4th, 2018 19:00
Yes
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.3K Posts
0
May 4th, 2018 20:00
I also put a dual-slot AMD-5870 (requires two 6-pinners) in my XPS-410. Easy-peasy, so I guess it depends on which "BTX machine" you are talking about.
Personally, I think Core-2 Quads were great for their time, but as old as they are now, I don't think I would use it as a base for a gaming rig these days. Dell switched back to ATX long ago and I'm sure there are some nice off-lease OptiPlex deals these-days.
elpro999dell
367 Posts
0
May 5th, 2018 14:00
@I have to disagree my Optiplex 780 has a Core 2 Quad Q9650 and it can run modern games pretty well I've played Sniper Elite 4 at 1080p @56.22 FPS. The reality is a modern GPU can transform an old PC.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.3K Posts
0
May 5th, 2018 21:00
Sounds nice, but I think you misunderstood what I was saying. I didn't mean to diss your rig.
I just meant ... if someone was going to drop a SSD and $400 Nvidia video card (like GTX-1070) into an old desktop to make a "gaming machine on the cheap" ...
It should at least be a ATX-form-factor mini-tower ... with an least an Intel-i5 quad-core (4 thread) but preferably, an Intel i7 quad-core (8 thread) CPU. After all, you are going to keep it that way for a couple of years. Even something like that is already 8 years old (the oldest and cheapest). From 2010 with an included OEM Windows-7 license (ready for free Windows-10 upgrade).
PotatoE Masher
9 Posts
0
May 7th, 2018 09:00
Tesla, I ordered an inexpensive older i3 to replace this machine for my son. I think your advice is right on the money. I paid less than $100 including shipping for a fairly powerful complete machine.
BTW the Dell machines I am talking about are Athlon x2 era machines. I realize they are borderline on new software, but for me that is what makes it fun! To find out how long my old systems can keep going. Maybe if I have time I will get back to them later on when I find some decent older video cards that fit. If the modern games/apps wont run on them, there is always the older ones... Will not be the most dollar efficient path, but sentimental attachment can make it worth the $10 to $40 of upgrades per machine, I feel like. Its amazing how cheap some of the older components are.. $5 to $10 for processors, $10-20 for older gpus.
I also have some Dell P4 machines, but after reviewing benchmarks, I'm resigned to the fact that P4 systems not worth even $20 in upgrades.
Regarding duo dual and quads.. I also agree with elpro that the duo era system are not yet hopeless with modern apps if you upgrade them. I've got duo era machines for family and friends running fine with newer software. When given a processor update or some extra ram its pretty amazing what they can do at their age. But AFAIK all Dell duo core era boxes open to the left side and fit dual slot modern geforce GTX type video cards fine. This fitment issue of this thread is only on earlier systems like Athlon x2 or P4.
Thanks all.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.3K Posts
0
May 7th, 2018 10:00
1. Smart move. Now he's taken care of for a while. And if you do make some small upgrades, they will be a wise investment.
Since you can still upgrade Windows-7 to Windows-10 legit for free (Shh, don't tell Microsoft) :Smile: ... it's really nice when all the machines you take care-of are running Windows-10.
Also, I was surprised to see that today's Intel-i3 benchmark equally with Intel-i7 from 7 years ago.
2. You only have one CPU socket, so make it count. The difference between Core2 Duals and Quads is not minor. In most cases, the Quad version is twice-as-fast ... compared to it's (little-brother) Duo/Dual version.
PotatoE Masher
9 Posts
0
May 7th, 2018 15:00
I've been going to 771 xeons for the old intel 775 socket "core" systems I have been upgrading with 100% satisfaction from their users. The machine I am typing on right now was a dual core 775, now quad 771. What all upgrades really boil down to is benchmark per dollar, you need to limit your spending on any given system to the appropriate lvl.
Personally I would dump around $40 max in to a "core" system for life extension, maybe $20 for the Athlon x2, zero dollars for a P4. I'm talking unrecoverable costs like CPU upgrades or older RAM. GPU $ is exempt as you can always swap into newer architecture systems when its finally time to recycle ole yeller. That is how I can justify trying to put a GTX660 or GTX650 in very old machines....
As far as the older i3 machines go, I have done cheap quad core xeon upgrades in these generation Dells before too, so I agree he will be set for minimum 5yr.
I have found a compact quadro 600 gpu for the x2 system that fits. So I will upgrade the Athlon x2 system to win7, 4gb ram, and the quadro. Will report back and let you all know if it was worth the effort.
PotatoE Masher
9 Posts
0
September 6th, 2018 13:00
Reporting back in on the dell 5150 or whatever it is. I forget the model name but its this should apply to any 2004 and earlier case. The older video cards I had were junk, but I was able to get a modern dual slot GTX750 card to fit. It required some mashing of the card and case described below.
Mashed a hole into the back of the case in the spot above the top most slot for the gpu backplate to clear the case.The steel is so thin, its really easy to clearance it. I just used a big adjutable wrench and twisted back and forth.
Broke off the 2nd steel end tab from the video card back plate so it would fully slot into the pci slot. Same wrench method.
Broke the plastic fan shroud off of the gpu so it would clear the ginormous cpu fan shroud. Same wrench method.
Broke the bottom row of pins off of the motherboard small square heatsink to clear gpu. Used the same wrench method.
Works great now. My daughter's minecraft/schoolwork/whatever machine is ready to go.
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
September 7th, 2018 09:00
There is no need to break anything on a Dimension 5150 / E510
Zotac GTX 1050TI mini fits and works just fine.
https://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-GeForce-DisplayPort-128-bit-ZT-P10510A-10L/dp/B01MCU1ERO/