Dell Optiplex 790 MT graphics upgrade

[davidnatoir]

I was wondering if i could install a graphics card that uses 49 watts on my PC ( MSI-GeForce GT-730 4GB), but i heard that the max pci watts are 35? Would it work? Also planing to upgrade later on to a 500 watt power supply?

 

[Barty1884]

Dell's motherboard(s) of that era actually state the max power available through the PCIe slot right on the board. For example:

You'd have to double-check on your board specifically.

There's no guarantee of functionality, nor stability if you use an underpowered slot. One things for sure, even if it'll run, the card will never be stable under load as it's not fully powered.

Replacing the PSU will not change the limitation (if applicable) from the motherboard. A card with external PCIe power, paired with a replacement PSU should work though.

As for the "upgrade" part, which 790 do you have specifically? I believe those can in everything from a full mid-tower, to an ultra SFF rig.

 

[davidnatoir]

Dell's motherboard(s) of that era actually state the max power available through the PCIe slot right on the board. For example:

You'd have to double-check on your board specifically.

There's no guarantee of functionality, nor stability if you use an underpowered slot. One things for sure, even if it'll run, the card will never be stable under load as it's not fully powered.

Replacing the PSU will not change the limitation (if applicable) from the motherboard. A card with external PCIe power, paired with a replacement PSU should work though.

As for the "upgrade" part, which 790 do you have specifically? I believe those can in everything from a full mid-tower, to an ultra SFF rig.

I got the mini tower.

 

[Barty1884]

Sorry, missed the "MT" part.

Did you look at the motherboard specifically? Does it mention a wattage, like the image above?

 

[davidnatoir]

Sorry, missed the "MT" part.

Did you look at the motherboard specifically? Does it mention a wattage, like the image above?

Says 35 watt

 

[Barty1884]

Then anything with no external PCIe connectors, and a power draw >35W are likely to be unstable under load.

For anything modern, you're looking at a 1050TI with a 6pin, which are minimal.
The only one I know of is:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA73M6Y00491&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

If you're going that route, you should be able to find an older gen card, of greater performance that an GT730, for a decent price on the used market.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html

 

[davidnatoir]

I would but im on a budget, what would be a older card with better preformance?

 

[Barty1884]

Depends on the budget. You're not likely to find much that'll run on the 35W and be remotely decent in 2018.

 

[william p]

Maybe your motherboard has been swapped with one from a deskyop.
There are lots of Opti 790 running big GPUs here'
http://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-OptiPlex-790/3864
I'm not seeing 35W stenciled by the GPU slot in this image.
https://www.amazon.com/Optiplex-Motherboard-HY9JP-0HY9JP-Micro-ATX/dp/B01CYIOP42
Check to see if you have that MB part# 0HY9JP