Dell Optiplex 760 Video Card Upgrade

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SlimTimDoWork

SlimTimDoWork

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Jul 26, 2013
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Hello, I have a Dell Optiplex 760 (Desktop Version)

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 / 3.0 GHz
Intel Q45 Express Chipset
4.0GB DDR2 SDRAM
AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz ) 235.0 Watt PSU

1.0 (total) / 0.0 (free) x PCI Express x16 - Low-profile
^^This slot has a ATI RADEON HD 2400XT Card in there.

I dont really want to replace the PSU if I can help it. I heard that its a pain to do with these Dell Optplx760's.

I can currently run WOW, SWTOR, Diablo III, and Starcraft II on their lowest settings without TOO much issue other than SOME video lag, but I would like to be able to not worry about it much by upgrading.

Any suggestions?
 
Solution
Kisianik
Thanks for clarification.
In addition to low profile cards, then, you can install full height, however there is a problem, let me show what I mean.

THIS POST APPLICABLE TO MT (MINI TOWER) FORM FACTOR ONLY.

Unfortunately no card that is more than 7.5 inches long or 2 slots wide will PHYSICALLY FIT inside the case - it was found that only single bracket video card can fit due to BTX MOBO, where card internals facing upward towards PC internals, not ATX, where dual card design is blocking another PCI slot by facing downward.
If you prefer the card with beefier fan, then the length of the card must not exceed 7.5 inches, otherwise only "skinny" single bracket, single slot cards can physically fit.

Pictures below will...
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I just want to confirm form factor - you said Desktop DT, is this correct, see pictures below (approximate similarity, actually it is Optiplex 755 is shown)

1541optiplex755family30.jpg


So, if it is DT, the only thing you can do here is to install ATI HD 7750, and in particular Sapphire 7750 low profile http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202002
Anything stronger will require PSU upgrade, and PSU is completely proprietary in Optiplex 760 DT.

If you have different form factor, let me know.

Anything else I can help you with?

 
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Wow, im sorry, I MEANT to say mini-tower I guess.. for some reason, in my head, the mini tower was smaller than the desktop.. But I was wrong. I have the mini tower.
 
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Thanks for clarification.
In addition to low profile cards, then, you can install full height, however there is a problem, let me show what I mean.

THIS POST APPLICABLE TO MT (MINI TOWER) FORM FACTOR ONLY.

Unfortunately no card that is more than 7.5 inches long or 2 slots wide will PHYSICALLY FIT inside the case - it was found that only single bracket video card can fit due to BTX MOBO, where card internals facing upward towards PC internals, not ATX, where dual card design is blocking another PCI slot by facing downward.
If you prefer the card with beefier fan, then the length of the card must not exceed 7.5 inches, otherwise only "skinny" single bracket, single slot cards can physically fit.

Pictures below will prove my point.

View shows no room for dual bracket

01optilexgx620backviewe.jpg


Single bracket only, or you have to cut dual bracket in half

02optiplex745singlebrac.jpg


This is the other way to show my point

h6go.jpg


Here you can clearly see only single place for the bracket

03optiplexgx620insidean.jpg


Visual explanation

04optiplex755mt4.jpg


7.5 inches explained, also shown "obstacles"

05optiplex745singlebrac.jpg


This is the picture of actual "skinny" single slot video card (not sure which model)- perfect, "glove" fit.

06optiplex755mt3edit.jpg


So, I found 2 GDDR5 7750 cards and one DDR3 4GB (GDDR5 is better than GDDR3, even if GDD3 offers 2 GB RAM or more), which confirmed in reviews to fit Optiplex gx620, 745 and 755 cases (the difference between those models are different processors).

Skinny, flimsier in terms of construction, completely single slot XFX 7750 http://www.amazon.com/XFX-DisplayPort-PCI-Express-FX775AZNP4-FX-775A-ZNP4/dp/B007Z3T5JC

A bit beefier cooler, not as skinny, more durable in construction PowerColor AX7750 http://www.amazon.com/PowerColor-AX7750-1GBD5-DH-Video-Graphics/dp/B00775OC28/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362783129&sr=8-1&keywords=AX7750+1GBD5-DH

If you need Video card for working with high resolutions, BUT NOT FOR GAMING, PowerColor AX7750 4GBK3-H Radeon HD 7750 4GB is DDR3 card with huge 4GB memory, but is is not as fast as DDR5 and loosing in games http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131486&Tpk=7750&IsVirtualParent=1
Here is review of this card http://news.softpedia.com/news/PowerColor-Launches-Single-Slot-Radeon-HD-7750-4-GB-Video-Card-292712.shtml so this one is not for gamers!

I cannot say which one of those 2 DDR5 is better, both are good and got less bad reviews related to structural build.

Next will follow maximum possible upgrade, 7750 is weaker...

So far I found only 2 7770 video cards which will fit inside - PowerColor AX7770 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131477

HIS H777FN1G Radeon HD 7770 very tight fit, almost touching heatsink http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161433

Following card is already out of production, so if you can find it on Craig list or eBay, it is only way, also I seen it on Amazon for a high price http://www.amazon.com/Sparkle-SX650TI1024KD-SPARKLESX650TI1024KD--Grafikkarten/dp/B009ZC3MHM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371676541&sr=8-1&keywords=SX650TI1024KD
From NVIDIA I see SPARKLE 700025 (SX650TI1024KD) GeForce GTX 650 Ti http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187200

7750 cards do not require power supply upgrade, 650 TI and 7770 are.

There are so many options available here so I would just recommend one of the good one CORSAIR CX500M (modular), which has just enough power http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139050 Also, with modular you can get rid of extra cables, believe me there are a lot of them.
You need 500 watt at least, stronger is better depending on your money.

Anything else I can help you with?
 
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Solution
Sorry to keep bothering you, I just want to ask one more thing. Im not an expert on installation. I have installed ram, and video cards before, but not PSU's. My question is whether there is a solution for MY gaming needs that do not require a new PSU (WOW, starcraft 2, diablo 3, SWTOR). It would be perfect to find a good upgrade that will fit and also would not require a psu upgrade. Im only wanting to spend about $125 if I can. Thank you SO much for all the details you gave me. I really do appreciate it.
 
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You absolutely right.
Just make sure to uninstall previous video drivers first and disable video chipset in Device Manager prion to installing new card to prevent driver issues.

Good luck with your new experience.
 
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Hey, I just wanted to say thank you for the advice! I got my Video Card in today from newegg and after some issues with getting it to fit in the case (IE: having to break off part of the metal part where the card sticks out the back so that it would fit), I am able to run WOW, Starcraft II, Diablo III, and SWTOR all on ULTRA settings without a single hiccup running around 75 fps. This was a great buy!
 
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I am glad that eventually it worked out.

But, can you clarify, which model you got and which part you had to break off. part of the case, you said at the back, you mean PC back panel - your experience might change the future, no joke.

So reply please.
 
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This is the card that I bought: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202002

And I had to break off part of the metal frame where the video card sticks out the back of the tower(you know, where you plug your monitor in).

http://postimg.org/image/qkrbimq5v/

I tried my best to circle the part that I had to remove to fit the video card... Its one of the metal dividers. It very well may have been just my lack of knowledge or experience.. but I couldnt seem to find a way to make it fit without cutting a piece out.
 
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You mean, you had to make the PCIE opening twice larger? Hm, no offense, but you are the first one who reported this job of opening hole larger done. You had to do so, because card bracket was too wide, or VGA and DVI connectors were too close to the side when card was seated in PCIE slot, so you basically removed that side?
IT is looks like the card is not perfectly positioned against opening in the back of the case, or it is shifted to one of the sides, am I close, or right on the spot?
If this is the case - it is common with Dells. I had it on my Inspiron 570, so I just tilted a card a bit to connect monitor, but I had full height card and you have low profile.

Thanks anyway for sharing.
 
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Well, when I tried to place the card in there, It was so small that The metal brackets were in the way and I could fit the rear of the card in just fine, but the front(where the cables connect) didnt want to go in, due to the metal being in the way. Its hard to tell you exactly without being able to show you. If I had a camera, I would take a picture. :-(

Also, yes, I had to make the PCIE opening twice as wide only because a part of the metal was in the way. Now there is a hole in the back where the openings are, its like 3-4 inches tall, and however wide it normally is... Is this dangerous? Also, I wanted to ask, is it safe to have the pc sitting on the floor? I have carpet in my apartment(kind of like brown shag carpet almost lol). I used to think that it was bad to keep computers or electronics on carpet, but im just not sure...
 
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I have both PCs on the floor - I have to vacuum them at least twice a year due to the dust collection, this is the only problem PC on the floor.
On the desk you would have to vacuum once a year or 2.

Just last question about previous card, did it fit perfectly or it was tight as well?
Which card it was, this one http://www.innovatepc.com/dell-cp309-ati-radeon-hd-2400-xt-256mb-pci-e-video-card-ati-102-b27602-vga-cable/ or different.
If you can provide exact model or something to help to identify the card, that would be great, any numbers (short number could be Dell part number).

Thanks for the feedback. I hope this problem is related to Optiplex 760 only, as no one reported anything similar before.
 
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I honestly am not sure. Give me a day or two and let me get back to you on that one, ill have to get the old card out and look. I know it was a Radeon HD2500 and i believe it was also low profile, but i could be wrong about that. Ill get you a model # or something this weekend.
 
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I appreciate for those extra steps you do for the community, I am just trying to get to the bottom of this problem, to understand what happened exactly - I really don't like providing advices on things, which could go wrong unexpectedly.
Thank you for your time.
If you can get this model it would be nice of you, if you not, hell with this.
Thanks.
 
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ok so on the old card there is a S/N: 230738016269. There is also P/N: 102B2760700 000001. There is also a white sticker on the end that says: CN0FM351-13740-79K-01F3. Hope this helps.
 
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First let me finish with your old card. Thanks for info, it took time but here are the results, if this the one?

CP309-2.jpg


10015020_1298300.jpeg


Dell_HD2400XT.gif


$T2eC16F,!w0E9szNW4OUBRLoF+RU0!~~60_57.JPG


So, is the original card looks similar to those above? this is info for me, so I can visually compare your new one and those to see what is the difference.

Now to your memory question.

The OptiPlex 760 system supports up to 8 GB of memory with a 64 bit operating system and maximum of 4GB of memory with a 32bit operating system. The memory speeds supported are 677 MHz and 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory. Both dual-channel and single-channel configurations are supported.

Using non-ECC memory modules only as ECC modules are not supported

Be sure to install a single memory module in CHA_DIMM, the connector closest to the processor (#1 i believe), before installing a module in the other connector.

The Memory DIMM's [slots] are colour coded black and white to avoid confusion.
You have to pair memory by slots - white slots pair #1 and #2, black slots pair #3a and #4.
To prevent confusion, this is the memory slot count (difficult to make a picture) starting from processor - #1, #3, #2, #4.
If you mix 667 and 800 speeds, at best memory will be lowered down to 667, at worst, it may not work at all.

Crucial is almost 100% supported, Corsair mostly supported, Kingston at times, G Skill at times

This is Crucial recommendation http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=OptiPlex%20760%20Series%20%28Desktop%2C%20Mini%20Tower%20and%20Small%20Form%20Factor%29&Cat=RAM

Look for non fancy RAM with the same configuration as Crucial and you will be fine.

Anything else I can help you with?
 
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Well, I have 32-bit Windows 🙁 so I guess im stuck with 4. Oh well. And to answer your question, I am 100% sure that the very last picture that you posted (with the cord that allows you to plug in 2 monitors) is the old card that I have. It looks exactly like it and Im even looking at the cord that comes with it. Hope this helps!
 
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The difference? http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946765 Shortly, 64 bit let you use more RAM, programs run faster.
To upgrade, you have to purchase retail or OEM version, OEM is cheaper, but will be tied to this motherboard legally.

In your particular situation, you did not say which Windows you have, if it is Vista, it is a good time to upgrade to Win7 or 8. Win7 is supported by old games, Win8 may not.

Did I answer your questions?
 
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