Dell Optiplex 390 i3 What graphics card can I use?

[rjdillard]

I have the same computer but I have a i3 processor. What GPU can I use?My power supply is 240w.

 

[william p]

Because of a 95W CPU limit the 240W PSU can power an GTX1050Ti. Low profile in all but the Mini Tower.

 

[rjdillard]

Because of a 95W CPU limit the 240W PSU can power an GTX1050Ti. Low profile in all but the Mini Tower.

 

[rjdillard]

So basically no decent GPU is compatible for the mini tower because of the limited space.

 

[william p]

The Mini Tower can take full height 2 slot GPUs GPUs, and ATX PSUs. So the MT is actually unlimited except for length. And chopping out the HDD cage and running SSD somewhere else can fix that.
Here are the builds for that.
https://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-OptiPlex-390/1958
It's all the others that are limited by height and power.

 

[rjdillard]

The Mini Tower can take full height 2 slot GPUs GPUs, and ATX PSUs. So the MT is actually unlimited except for length. And chopping out the HDD cage and running SSD somewhere else can fix that.
Here are the builds for that.
https://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-OptiPlex-390/1958
It's all the others that are limited by height and power.

 

[rjdillard]

Ok that makes sense. So is the i3 good for gaming? Or do I need to upgrade to the i5. I may also upgrade to a 400w PSU either way.

 

[william p]

An aftermarket 400W PSU won't be much better than the one you have. It will take a quality 500W to make much difference.
As far as the i3 it depends on the game. Older and low end games run on just one core. But newer titiles use 4 or more. But you don't want too much GPU for your CPU or you will get freezes while the video card waits for data. Look in my previous post. In that link you can see all the CPUs that will run in that, and their relative performance. If you want to game with a system that old. Max. out the CPU, get 12GB RAM, then worry about the GPU/PSU situation. Anything over a GTX1050Ti will need a PSU.