Dell Optiplex 755 Mini-tower - best graphics that will fit??

[newb2745]

Hello, I am in the process of upgrading my dell optiplex 775 mini-tower, and im running into some problems. Inside the computer, there is a huge black plastic heatsink apparatus that looks like it wont let a decent-sized graphics card fit.

Could you guys please give me some options for the best graphics card that i can fit in my PC? Thanks for your help guys

 

[newb2745]

Sorry for the extra posts like this one! The website thought i was attempting to flood..

 

[Sunius]

Please, give us pictures of inside case and PC specs, we cannot really see through your mind :|

 

[dodger46]

You'll need a Low Profile GPU, by all accounts I've seen the Radeon HD 6670?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102958&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3754110&SID=skim1132X509988X64519f99d7fec0976477e19cbdb4b284
Then I found this
http://www.squidoo.com/best-low-profile-video-graphics-cards-for-gaming-2011-pci-express

 

[newb2745]

so the tiny-looking backplate on all these low-profile cards should fit in a normal-sized pci express x16 slot? For the dell optiplex 755 series, the mini-tower is the largest pc..

 

[newb2745]

OK, so i have a 305 watt power supply, but i am ready to upgrade that as well. I am also installing:
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550
- 8Gb of PC2-6400 DDR2 RAM
- 3 TB SATA HDD at 7200rpm

Here is a link to what the inside looks like:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lampywilf/2325751519/

 

[newb2745]

Also worth mentioning is that I have these slots:

Slot 1: PCI express x16 (75W)

Slot 2: PCI

Slot 3: PCI

Slot 4: PCI express x1 (10W)

 

[dodger46]

Thought it was the smallest! I have a 5150C and it needs the Low Profile. More research needed..
Is it a 755 or a 775? Your Thread line differs from your content...

 

[dodger46]

Actually the more I look into it you're going to have problems with your processor coping with even low-end GPU's if it's a 755. Advice elsewhere on Tom's suggest you'd best invest in a new machine altogether if you have gaming in mind!
This is what Dell recommend
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?c=us&category_id=6715&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&mfgpid=192259&chassisid=8340

The HD 4650(Number 3) best as it has HDMI
As you can see, it's not very exciting

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/video_lookup.php?gpu=Radeon+HD+4650

 

[Sunius]

The most powerful card that will fit inside your PC is this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202002

It will work with your power supply as well.

 

[newb2745]

Ohh ok too clear up the confusion here are my (future) system specs:

Dell Optiplex 755 Mini-tower
--------------------------------

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9950
8 GB PC2-6400 DDR2
160 GB HDD
3000 GB HDD
1 PCI express x16 (top slot)
2 PCI (middle 2 slots)
1 PCI express x1 (bottom slot)
305 watt power supply (*can upgrade to 600 if needed)
DVD/CD-RW drive
Linksys Wireless-G PCI adapter

(edit: I also have Windows 7 Pro - 64-bit)

 

[newb2745]

What I am worried about is that for any graphics card I install in my system, it may bump into the big heatsink or not even fit at all, so even a high-end graphics card is great as long as it fits.

So from the back of my computer to the heatsink, there is exactly 7 inches (or just under). I have plenty of width/depth at about 5.25 inches from the motherboard. However, the height of the card is going to be important. If the graphics card is too long, then the tail end of the card will have to be about 1 inch tall or under. If the card is say 5 or 6 inches long, then I don't think height will matter.

Also, I can't get single cards that occupy two slots since the PCI express x16 is the top slot. Here is a picture of the motherboard/inside of my computer:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lampywilf/2325751519/in/photostream/

The black processor cover is the big problem here. What do you guys think?

 

[newb2745]

even with a 305 watt power supply? The site says minimum of at least 400 watts

 

[newb2745]

and btw I have a dell optiplex 755! I made a mistake in the post above 🙁

 

[Sunius]

It will work without problems. The manufacturers inflate the power requirements a lot. The card on its own uses maximum 55 watts of power.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This next topics has been merged by Mousemonkey
■ Best Graphics Card that can fit?

 

[newb2745]

What about some of these cards? will they fit?

NVIDIA GeForce GT 640

XFX Radeon HD 6670

HIS Radeon HD 7750 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161403

 

[newb2745]

Do you think its possible that any normal-sized cards fit in my system? or is the Sapphire HD 7750 still beter than those?

 

[dodger46]

You'd need to go to the Card Manufacturer's website and obtain the physical sizes and compare them with the space available. eg
http://www.hisdigital.com/un/product2-682.shtml
12.2 x 18.1
Perhaps even make a cardboard cutout to see what's feasible...

 

[newb2745]

Best answer selected by newb2745.

 

[KingCrabby]

What I am worried about is that for any graphics card I install in my system, it may bump into the big heatsink or not even fit at all, so even a high-end graphics card is great as long as it fits.

So from the back of my computer to the heatsink, there is exactly 7 inches (or just under). I have plenty of width/depth at about 5.25 inches from the motherboard. However, the height of the card is going to be important. If the graphics card is too long, then the tail end of the card will have to be about 1 inch tall or under. If the card is say 5 or 6 inches long, then I don't think height will matter.

Also, I can't get single cards that occupy two slots since the PCI express x16 is the top slot. Here is a picture of the motherboard/inside of my computer:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lampywilf/2325751519/in/photostream/

The black processor cover is the big problem here. What do you guys think?

How about those two taller capacitors just to the right and above the PCI-E slot, could be a problem as far as a cards heat sink touching and sitting atop of those two capacitors. "In reference to your picture of the inside of your tower" The reason I mention is I have a Optiplex GX280 and have a Galaxy GT240 512MB 128Bit DDR3 graphics card in that rig that fits and works very well. I also have what appears to be the same rig your inquiring about, and have put that GT240 card in my 755 mini-tower. I can get to fit "sorta" and it does work well in my 755. The only problem is the cards heat sink tends to rest slightly on top those two caps I mentioned earlier, and I am not too comfortable with that. Just curious on the clearance of the caps with the card you finally do select.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey