dell optiplex hot

[Passion_1]

i have a dell optiplex 7010 small factor, i5 3470, 16g ram, 500g hdd, 120g ssd, 240w psu, i want to buy a gtx 1050ti low profile but i have temp concerns, will my optiplex get too hot as atm, no gfx card, it only has one fan and there is no room for another fan.

 

[Eximo]

I wouldn't think it would be too bad. You can always purchase a cheap case while you are at it and transplant the whole thing.

 

[Passion_1]

the mobo is proper screwed in, im new to pc n would rather not mess around with it. putting dat gpu in it is not a problem but i don’t want to be unscrewing things & removing things. any tips on how to keep it cooler?

 

[Eximo]

Aside from leaving the side panel off, not much. I wouldn't expect too much overheating, their rear case fan should be enough to handle it. As long as the front of the case has a clear path to cool air, it should work. Makes for a pretty dusty PC, but that is typical of OEM builds.

Really transplanting a motherboard from one case to another is not that difficult. Worst problem might be the front panel connectors since Dell tends towards customization there, but places like moddiy.com sell adapters.

1) Remove side panels
2) Unplug data and power cables, note the order the data cables for the drive(s) are plugged in (if applicable)
3) Remove expansion cards
4) Remove drives
5) unscrew motherboard, remove
6) remove I/O shield from the chassis
7) Remove power supply

8) install power supply in new chassis (or install a new power supply, or use an included one)
9) install I/O shield in new chassis
10) install motherboard
11) plug in front panel connectors (from chassis to motherboard USB, power/reset switch, activity lights)
12) Install drives
11) Plug in drive power and data cables
12) Install expansion cards (plug in power if applicable)

Plenty of YouTube videos for how to build a computer, and you can certainly put in more specific terms. But this would mean no OS installation, CPU installation, heatsink installation, memory installlation. That board can come out as is.

 

[CaptainCretin]

I have had issues with Dell SFF's having the fans speeds locked down, and if you tried to substitute better fans, it shut them all down and fried the cpu.

In fact the whole BIOS was locked down to such an extent, you couldnt do a lot with it.

About your only option is to take the side panels off and drill out, or cut out and fit a mesh; with a side mounted fan if there is room inside.

You COULD fit the fan on the outside, but it looks ugly.

I also have doubts about the psu being able to handle a beefier card; they are usually non standard in the SFF cases, and so not replaceable.

If possible, check to see what the current systems draws under a burn test (so maximum stress), with an energy meter; and see what the difference is between what it draws and the rated output of the psu on the 12volt rail. That will give you how many watts/amps you have to play with.

 

[Eximo]

Dell offers two similar products per generation. From what I have seen the 7010 and 9010 series systems tend to be more consumer friendly. Standard ATX power supplies being the most notable.

The 7020 and 9020 series use custom power supplies, custom fan connectors, and generally are only sold to businesses. They really want to lock companies into service contracts apparently.

 

[Eximo]

The standard 240W Dell supply should handle a 75W GTX1050Ti fairly well. Certainly wouldn't go above that though.

It will likely shorten the life of the supply, but a case transplant isn't the end of the world to replace the power supply.

Moddiy.com also carries the power supply adapter for the Dell's that have an 8-pin power connector, if you aren't comfortable re-wiring. They are a bit silly in that they take in 12V and then supply 3.3 and 5V on the motherboard for drives. They can simply be bypassed with a new power supply.