[SOLVED] Dell Optiplex 980 budget GPU replacment

[srigleykeegan]

I have a dell OptiPlex 980 MT, it has a full sized card slot and PCIe slots. Anyway, I have a ATI Radeon HD 4550 512Mb. It is not powerful enough to run my games. I have a 255W power supply BUT it is 80 plus gold. So I need a GPU for 100$ or less but it needs to be 1GB of ddr3 or better.

So just to recap a 1GB DDR3 or better GPU For a 255W 80 plus gold, for 100$or less. I will upgrade my PSU if there is ABSOLUTLY nothing.

 

[william p]

I would get a DDR5 card. DDR3 is like using sytem memory. For that budget a GTX750Ti is the most likely solution. But saving up for a GTX1050 would be worth it. They can both run off of that PSU due to the Optiplex 95W CPU limit, and Dells conservative PSU rating system.

 

[srigleykeegan]

I would get a DDR5 card. DDR3 is like using sytem memory. For that budget a GTX750Ti is the most likely solution. But saving up for a GTX1050 would be worth it. They can both run off of that PSU due to the Optiplex 95W CPU limit, and Dells conservative PSU rating system.

Okay, so do you what my power limit is for my GPU. is it 95W. (So I can get a card with a 95W power consumption)

 

[william p]

The Optiplex CPU limit is 95W, the GPU limit is 75W from the PCIe slot. That means a GTX1050Ti is the best choice. The 980 MT can accept a bigger ATX PSU. Then cards like the GTX1060 become possible. A 1070 would probably be a step too far for those older CPUs.

 

[dontlistentome]

In new cards a GT 1030 DDR5 or RX 550 might be available in your area under $100. Both will be far, far better than what you have now. However, for 1080p gaming in newer or more demanding games, a GTX 1050 is the minimum to get, but it might be over your budget.

In used cards a 750 Ti is probably the best choice. That's because older cards tend to use too much power for 300W and less power supplies. The 750 Ti can run games and it uses relatively little power. Even so, be aware that the 750 Ti is underpowered for modern, demanding games.

So you see what games you want to play is a major consideration in deciding what you need. In general, 1gb DDR5 videocards are suited for 720p, you'll need at least 2gb DDR5 vram for 1080p.