Can I upgrade the OptiPlex 390?

[Blandert]

I'm planning on buying these parts

-Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
-Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card
-Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply
-Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor
Do I have to buy a new motherboard too?
I'm hping to run games like DayZ on high settings

 

[clutchc]

It will depend on which MB is in your system. Is the system like this with an H61 LGA 1155 socket MB?
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=10&ved=0CIYBEBYwCQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.techdata.com%2Fbusiness%2Fdell%2FFiles%2FOCT2011%2FOptiPlex%2520390%2520Spec%2520Sheet.pdf&ei=xfzaUpSKOMulsQTVwoGABg&usg=AFQjCNEYMuTODGYzfVa5CR3TOO-2INn-Lw&sig2=jESahXioZ6zD-oo66ZdPQA&bvm=bv.59568121,d.cWc
If so, you may have to have a BIOS upgrade to use a Ivy Bridge CPU. And do you have one of the slim line versions or the mini tower version?

 

[Ubrales]

If you have the Optiplex Mini Tower model then the upgrade as listed is feasible.

Here is the Owner's Manual: ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_optiplex_desktop/optiplex-390_owner%27s%20manual_en-us.pdf

 

[Blandert]

I have the minitower version, so I can add the parts i plan on gettings?

 

[Ubrales]

I have the minitower version, so I can add the parts i plan on gettings?

On further analysis the motherboard on this computer will not support the upgrades. Sorry to disappoint you.

Consider a new build with the features you desire.

 

[Blandert]

So what should I do? Get a new case+motherboard or just new motherboard? If just a new mother board which motherboard do you recommend I get?

 

[Ubrales]

So what should I do? Get a new case+motherboard or just new motherboard? If just a new mother board which motherboard do you recommend I get?

Get a new case, new (latest) motherboard, and compatible CPU. In other words, a new build to suit your needs.

This will help: http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/

We will definitely be here to make suggestions as we go along.

 

[Blandert]

Maybe this? http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2E3bs
My budget is around $600. Can I scavenge some parts from my current pc? Maybe the cpu ( i3 2120). If theres any way to reduce the cost please tell. Keep in mind all i really want to do is run games like Arma (DayZ mostly) on high settings.

 

[Ubrales]

Maybe this? http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2E3bs
My budget is around $600. Can I scavenge some parts from my current pc? Maybe the cpu ( i3 2120). If theres any way to reduce the cost please tell. Keep in mind all i really want to do is run games like Arma (DayZ mostly) on high settings.

I would change the PSU to a Corsair HX650 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

 

[Blandert]

Is that all? If I keep my current build plan, how good of a build will it be?

 

[Ubrales]

Is that all? If I keep my current build plan, how good of a build will it be?

It will be a good build for gaming.

 

[Blandert]

How good exactly? How well will it run Battlefield 4 on, say high settings?

 

[Ubrales]

How good exactly? How well will it run Battlefield 4 on, say high settings?

I can try an experiment on a similar computer and let you know. I will report in about an hour.

Update: BF3 (that's what we have) will run on high settings; definitely on medium settings. Some lag experienced in Ultra high settings.

 

[Blandert]

What about storage? Also the optical drive, can I salvage it from my OptiPlex? Can I salvage my CPU too?

 

[Ubrales]

What about storage? Also the optical drive, can I salvage it from my OptiPlex? Can I salvage my CPU too?

Yes it can be done, but if you do so you will no longer have your old computer. By building a new one you will have two computers. I suggest that you keep using your Optiplex as-is and build a new computer.

 

[Blandert]

Hmm very well, After more research this is what I have come up with. Keep in mind I really only want to run DayZ on high/Ultra settings. So if there's anything I can downgrade, please let me know! http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2E7k7

 

[Ubrales]

Hmm very well, After more research this is what I have come up with. Keep in mind I really only want to run DayZ on high/Ultra settings. So if there's anything I can downgrade, please let me know! http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2E7k7

Use the PSU that I suggested.

 

[Blandert]

There you go, what games do you think this build will be able to run? And on what settings? (fyi) I'm also going to get a 1080p monitor.

 

[nakedian]

I have a Dell Optiplex 390 DT and managed to upgrade the graphics card to a GT 730, 2GB, DDR5. There are a couple of reasons this shouldn't have worked and a couple of reasons it did me thinks. Reasons it shouldn't work ... Dell recommends only 25 watts on it's PCIe X 16 slot. EVGA recommends 300w min, 20 amps on the 12 V rail. My power supply is 250w, and the 12V rail states 17.8 amps. On a chat with Dell I was told this card would work, and if you do the calculations the card and other components are not pulling any more than about 220 watts. Power supply from Dell is rated Gold so that's another plus. Long and the short of it is you can upgrade the card. Seems to play Call of Pripyat, Diablo III, and even Skyrim, at 1920 x 1080 medium settings... looks pretty good.

 

[Kris_5]

I managed to get a Geforce GT 730 2 GB working as well, looking to upgrade the Intel Core i3 2100 to Intel Core i7 2600. I updated the BIOS, but I'm not sure if this will work...

 

[Kisianik]

I managed to get a Geforce GT 730 2 GB working as well, looking to upgrade the Intel Core i3 2100 to Intel Core i7 2600. I updated the BIOS, but I'm not sure if this will work...

Please do not use old posts, create a new one. Check your PM.

 

[Kris_5]

I did that and the thread was immediately deleted for no reason. I think I should post here.

 

[USAFRet]

I did that and the thread was immediately deleted for no reason. I think I should post here.

Your other post was accidentally deleted from the Forum AI subsystem.
It has been reinstated.

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3773202/require-massive-upgrade-dell-optiplex-390-sff.html
Use that one.

 

[USAFRet]

Please stick to that other thread. As said, this one is 4 yrs old.