Dell Optiplex 3010 SFF & Graphics Card GPU Compatibility Questions ¿

[-rsim-]

Greetings, after reading through countless threads and browsing the internet for the best options I've finally decided to join the community and ask the experts here to confirm before I make the buy.

First, some background info... recently I purchased a BenQ XL2411Z monitor for it's 144hz capability. Before then, I gamed on a Dell P1913SF monitor with a XFX Radeon R7 250 (R7-250A-CHFV) - I should mention that since I have a 3010 SFF I required a low profile card.

I pretty much only played CS:GO, on 1024x768 4:3 res. with low settings and got good fps but with a 75hz refresh rate monitor. Thus the upgrade to the BenQ.

But after I connected the monitor, with the provided dual link DVI-D cable and upgrading the necessary drivers, I noticed that the max refresh rate I could set it to was 60hz on the 1920x1080 res. Turns out that's all my GPU is capable of, and the best refresh rate would be 120hz on 1024x768. For now, I browse and use the computer on 1920x1080/60hz and game on 1024x768/120hz (black bars).

I'd like to have the resolution on 1920x1080/144hz and still game on 1024x768 (black bars) but at the 144hz refresh rate. After searching and searching, I plan on buying the GeForce GTX 750 Ti low profile model (either the Gigabyte [GV-N75TOC-2GL] or MSI [N750TI-2GD5TLP]). Ohh yeah, when I bought the R7 250, I upgraded the PSU to a Antec Basiq 350w (BP350) as well.

Now... would the GTX 750 Ti work in my computer? If yes, would it operate on 144hz at every resolution and all applications? Which manufacturer is preferable for the 750Ti LP, Gigabyte or MSI? And if you're familiar with CS:GO, how much fps would I get on 1024x768 black bars with low to medium settings and also on 1920x1080 low to medium settings?

I would also like to play H1Z1 and perhaps The Division some time in the future, if the card works, can I expect both those games to run smoothly as well? What kind of numbers can I expect for them? I should also mention the PC is running an i5-3470 @ 3.2GHz with 4GB ram (upgrading to 8gb tomorrow).

I think that covers it all... thank you for reading everything and any help and insight will be very much appreciated!

 

[hang-the-9]

Yes a 750 Ti will work, but if you are looking for playing some demanding games you should look into moving your computer guts to even a cheap tower case so you are not limited with video cards.

 

[-rsim-]

Thanks for the reply!

Do you know which cases I could successfully move into? It seems like a daunting task to change up cases, but if I were to which graphics card could I upgrade to? Wouldn't the length restriction of the mother board still limit my selections to only a few cards? Right now the new PSU does not fit in my case so it's actually next to the rest of my computer (not optimal, I know), but I'm just not sure I'll be able to change cases without breaking something...

 

[hang-the-9]

I don't see any info on that motherboard if it's a standard form factor or not, and you'll have to check the motherboard to case connection to see if those are standard also. That's the issue with getting a small system not made for upgrades, can't upgrade it

Sell this one, get a system in a tower case, best thing to do.

 

[-rsim-]

Shooot you're telling me. Thanks for the advice, but the GTX 750 Ti Low Profile will work on my set up, right? Which brand would you recommend, the MSI or Gigabyte version? I think I'll run the upgraded 750 Ti set up for a while then eventually just look into buying a new gaming PC down the road.

 

[hang-the-9]

Yes the small 750 Ti will fit, I'd just get whichever model has the better warranty or game bundle if you are interested in those.

 

[-rsim-]

Nice! Appreciate it, that takes a load off my shoulders. Last thing is, will the card fit all my goals? Such as the 1920x1080/144hz res. when on desktop? (Sorry for the persistence, just took a lot of saving to be able to make these upgrades.)

 

[hang-the-9]

Nice! Appreciate it, that takes a load off my shoulders. Last thing is, will the card fit all my goals? Such as the 1920x1080/144hz res. when on desktop? (Sorry for the persistence, just took a lot of saving to be able to make these upgrades.)

As long as you are using the right video connections to run at 144, yes it will. Display Port or the dual link DVI will do it.

 

[Inspire2Create]

Hi there! I also have a Dell Optiplex 3010 SFF. I am a graphic designer, and although I don't use the 3010 for gaming, I do partake in some pretty intensive graphical activities. The Intel Core I5 processor is the 3010's key ingredient for this performance, and bumping it up to 16GB RAM has made a HUGE difference (most resources will tell you the mobo will only take 8GB but don't listen!! - just make sure you buy pairs - two 8Gig sticks).

So for that final UMPH to make this cheap little machine an Adobe & Corel workhorse, I really want a new graphics card ... I have researched this intensively for the past 2 months, and I always come up with the same conclusion ... the BEST card available for the Optiplex 3010 SFF is the Sapphire HD Radeon 7750 (must be low-profile). From all I can gather, even though this card is only 1GB RAM, it out-performs quite a few of the bigger boys on the playground! The key restraint with the SFF Optiplex is power and size ... the Sapphire is the best performing card that is both small enough AND doesn't require additional power.

I have always been curious about the whole power issue with PC's ... I am a tech by trade, doing computer & networking service for years before starting in graphic design, but I've never dabbled much into gaming (unless SuperNES Final Fantasy games qualify -- spent some countless hours in my younger days playing that ha!), or any other activities that require increasing power (and therefore more heat) such as overclocking GPUs & processors. I've always wondered, "why can't you just add more power and then just keep the darn case off and let the cool breezes flow?!" I'm assuming the problem with that would be the MASSIVE accumulation of dust & pet hair and smoke (if you so partake in such things) ... but I've always wondered, if you keep as clean of an environment as possible, why couldn't just not having a cover or case at all suffice instead of worry about the need for more cooling? I may be revealing some blonde genes here, but again, I haven't dabbled in power issues, nor do I have any electrical experience or knowledge whatsoever. I know that water plus electricity = NOT GOOD, and I also know that plugging 10,000 things into one 110AV outlet = BAD IDEA ... but that's pretty much the extent of my power intellect!

Maybe some other gamers or techs could chime in here to"yay or nay" to using the Sapphire for your gaming needs, but my gut reaction compels me to agree with other posters to your question here -- that if you really want to partake in more intensive gaming, you are probably better off, if you can afford it, to just off-load the Optiplex, or gift it to someone else, and get a newer machine that doesn't have such size or power limitations. It's a bummer, I know, because it really is a surprisingly powerful little machine! My main beast is a Shuttle Barebones Box with an Intel Core i7, 64GB RAM and a killer 6GB Nvidia Gforce card. I have a 500W PSU, and my X79 mobo allows for two of those NVidia puppies, IF ONLY my box was bigger! -- that drasted issue of power & heat again!). I know there are many "shuttle-snobs" that might snicker at this, but I don't care! I would marry my Shuttle if I could ... I LOVE IT!!! However, I needed a small, portable system that I could easily take with me to work on the go, but I didn't want to spend a lot of $$$ right now. I picked up my Optiplex 3010 for only $100 from my husband's office when they upgraded all their systems, and I really wasn't expecting much. However, it really surprised me at how well it handles pretty intense graphic rendering, especially after bumping up the RAM to 16GB. I use it with a portable USB LCD screen, and I can carry that little box with me wherever I go and I can work anywhere!

Unfortunately, even for it's over-achieving prowess, the 3010 with the added RAM & Sapphire probably still wouldn't be sufficient to handle intensive gaming ... it's kind of like trying to put a Lambourghini engine into a Dodge Viper ... the Viper is freaking awesome ... but it ain't no Lambo! I really think that if you were willing or able to spend to bump up to 16GB RAM and invest in a Sapphire, at that point you might as well upgrade the whole machine. A key buzz word in my 2nd paragraph here to this post is "the best AVAILABLE" card" ... I have to say I've found that I must use that term loosely. You see, the Sapphire 7750 is a discontinued product, so therefore they are very hard to come by ... pretty much you are limited to getting one off E-bay. Availability goes in spurts - you won't see any for 3 weeks, then all of a sudden there are 20 on there! Be aware - it MUST be the low-profile version. It does come in the larger 2-slot model, but not all auction descriptions point this out. A used one is affordable, if you are willing to buy used, and if you can win the auction -- as I said, they go quick! There are brand-new cards out there ... but you will pay dearly for these! I can't believe some of the prices - $300 & up -- come on people, what planet are you on? Even so, as I say that, people are buying them up - go figure!!

So that's my 2 cents ... sorry I took up so much space spending it!! Hope I could help - this was my first post here, and I've been wanting to give back, in light of the incredible amount of help & information I've been able to to root out freely from this forum over the past couple years!! Good Luck & happy gaming!!

 

[-rsim-]

Thank you, I really appreciate the in depth reply and info. I recently upgraded the ram from 4GB to the max allotted 8GB, but is it true the comp can run without problems at 16GB? Have you tried the system at both 8GB and 16GB, is there a large difference in performance?

As for the GPU, I came across the HD 7750 in my search as well, but isn't the GTX 750 Ti (Low Profile) better? However, more and more I'm thinking I should go the new case route.

...I'll probably catch some flack for this, but here goes... my current set up (given it is a little more tidy from this):
If I were to switch to a case that can accommodate my mobo/internals (please recommend one that can fit 3010 SFF, cause right now I'm thinking the 3010 MT case is my best option), I'd have a lot more GPUs to choose from, correct?

Thanks again yall

 

[Inspire2Create]

No problem! Yes I have ran the system at 4GB, 8GB and 16GB ... it made a significant improvement in the speed of my rendering calculations, and overall just beefed the computer up.

The GTX is better, but how will you get power to it? Did I read that you have upgraded your PSU to 325W? Hey, if that card would work with the PSU in your 3010, and if you decide to keep the 3010 and try to see how it goes, then I think it's safe to say that the 750 will work fine. However, I get the impression that you are serious your games and they only get bigger, faster and better by the day! If it were me, I would invest the money in a new box, and then you open yourself up to SEVERAL new GPU's , 4GB and 6GB if you can swing it!! Screaming jeans!!!

 

[Justin_75]

Greetings, after reading through countless threads and browsing the internet for the best options I've finally decided to join the community and ask the experts here to confirm before I make the buy.

First, some background info... recently I purchased a BenQ XL2411Z monitor for it's 144hz capability. Before then, I gamed on a Dell P1913SF monitor with a XFX Radeon R7 250 (R7-250A-CHFV) - I should mention that since I have a 3010 SFF I required a low profile card.

I pretty much only played CS:GO, on 1024x768 4:3 res. with low settings and got good fps but with a 75hz refresh rate monitor. Thus the upgrade to the BenQ.

But after I connected the monitor, with the provided dual link DVI-D cable and upgrading the necessary drivers, I noticed that the max refresh rate I could set it to was 60hz on the 1920x1080 res. Turns out that's all my GPU is capable of, and the best refresh rate would be 120hz on 1024x768. For now, I browse and use the computer on 1920x1080/60hz and game on 1024x768/120hz (black bars).

I'd like to have the resolution on 1920x1080/144hz and still game on 1024x768 (black bars) but at the 144hz refresh rate. After searching and searching, I plan on buying the GeForce GTX 750 Ti low profile model (either the Gigabyte [GV-N75TOC-2GL] or MSI [N750TI-2GD5TLP]). Ohh yeah, when I bought the R7 250, I upgraded the PSU to a Antec Basiq 350w (BP350) as well.

Now... would the GTX 750 Ti work in my computer? If yes, would it operate on 144hz at every resolution and all applications? Which manufacturer is preferable for the 750Ti LP, Gigabyte or MSI? And if you're familiar with CS:GO, how much fps would I get on 1024x768 black bars with low to medium settings and also on 1920x1080 low to medium settings?

I would also like to play H1Z1 and perhaps The Division some time in the future, if the card works, can I expect both those games to run smoothly as well? What kind of numbers can I expect for them? I should also mention the PC is running an i5-3470 @ 3.2GHz with 4GB ram (upgrading to 8gb tomorrow).

I think that covers it all... thank you for reading everything and any help and insight will be very much appreciated!

I just did a search and came up with this 550W Power Supply upgrade for Dell Optiplex 3010. I think it might solve your problem.

http://www.911forpcs.com/dell-3010.html