Question Looking For A Discrete GPU For My PC

[Lacene]

Hello guys. I have a:

Dell 3891 Inspiron Desktop PC with Intel 10G i-7-10700 (16M cache, 2.9-4.8 GHz)
Intel UHD Graphics 630 integrated with shared graphics memory

I am looking to add a discrete low-profile GPU for casual 720p-1080p gaming. Dell says my PC can support the following:


CONTROLLER: NVIDIA GeForce GT 730
EXTERNAL DISPLAY SUPPORT:

• One HDMI 1.4 Port
• One DVI-D Port
• One VGA Port

MEMORY SIZE: 2 GB
MEMORY TYPE: GDDR5


CONTROLLER: NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030
EXTERNAL DISPLAY SUPPORT:

• One HDMI 2.0b Port
• One DVI-D Port

MEMORY SIZE: 2 GB
MEMORY TYPE: GDDR5


CONTROLLER: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super
EXTERNAL DISPLAY SUPPORT:

• One HDMI 2.0b Port
• One DisplayPort 1.4 Port
• One DVI-D Port

MEMORY SIZE: 4 GB
MEMORY TYPE: GDDR6


CONTROLLER: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super
EXTERNAL DISPLAY SUPPORT:

• One HDMI 2.0g Port
• One DisplayPort 1.4 Port
• One DVI-D Port

MEMORY SIZE: 6 GB
MEMORY TYPE: GDDR6


I am focusing right now on either the GT 1030 or the GTX 1650 Super. I understand that the GT 1030 is a bit older, while the GTX supports better game play for 1080p. My PC has a power supply around 260W, and I've read most reviews saying the GTX works well within that constraint. What are your thoughts on which GPU I should get, and how they work for moderate gaming. Also if anyone has installed these GPUs into their PCs, how easy would it be for someone not very experienced at hardware upgrades. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Lutfij]

Which variant of your prebuilt do you own? There are two PSU options for your prebuilt, I'm asking which PSU option you have in your prebuilt. Sadly, I can't recommend any of the 1600 series. Instead you're relegated to the GT1030.

 

[Karadjgne]

For the 16 series cards you'd need to have a psu of @ 350w for the 1650Super, 400w for the 1660, 450w for the 1660Super.

Since your option bundle included a 250w psu not the 360w psu, the best you can do is the GT730. The Only way to consider using the GT1030 is if the cpu (i7-10700) has been castrated by disabling Turbo. That i7 without Turbo will only draw a max of 65w, but with Turbo enabled can draw in excess of 200w for upto 26 seconds. The GT1030 will draw upto 75w continuously.

https://www.dell.com/community/Insp...-should-I-replace-in-my-inspiron/td-p/8111925

(the UD graphics in the cpu are pretty equitable to the GT730, if not better for some things)

 

[Lacene]

OK, hmmm......

So it sounds like my PC was built to not even support a discrete GPU, despite what Dell says.........

 

[John Chesterfield]

OK, hmmm......

So it sounds like my PC was built to not even support a discrete GPU, despite what Dell says.........

Sadly yes. Prebuilts are normally not a great idea if wanting to upgrade graphics card.

 

[Karadjgne]

That's Dell's business moto. 'We make it only one way, if you want better, buy better'.

Your model had 2 psu options and Dell isn't broadcasting that choice anywhere, took me better part of half an hours digging to find out that fact. So they told you, these are the cards that fit, and thats according to Dell option sheet, which is Not aftermarket gpus, but Dell branded in-house vbios gpus. The 1660Super was optioned for that pc with the 360w psu.

Normally you'd not use a 200w aftermarket card with a potential 210w cpu and 50w worth of motherboard, drives and fans on a 360w psu.

So somewhere Dell is cutting out over 100w worth of power to get a 1660Super and 10700 to work, and not shutdown.

Don't get me wrong, for an Office pc, Dell's are not too shabby, they work just fine, better than any old Gateway or Lenovo Pc, but for upgrade purposes, they are about the absolute worst to deal with. They even change the pinout on Standard pwm fans at the header, making it difficult to even replace a busted $4 case fan, they won't work without modification.

 

[Tac 25]

Hello guys. I have a:

Dell 3891 Inspiron Desktop PC with Intel 10G i-7-10700 (16M cache, 2.9-4.8 GHz)
Intel UHD Graphics 630 integrated with shared graphics memory

I am looking to add a discrete low-profile GPU for casual 720p-1080p gaming. Dell says my PC can support the following:

with that 260w power supply, the best gpu you can handle is a GT 1030 GDDR5. 16 series is impossible.

this might be helpful for your psu. https://www.dell.com/community/Insp...-should-I-replace-in-my-inspiron/td-p/8111925

for GT 1030, don't buy the DDR4 version.

View: https://youtu.be/a80mtoQklSo

The GT1030 will draw upto 75w continuously.

got curious on this, first time for me to hear a 1030 drawing 75w?

the highest on this Tom's article is 48w.

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nvidia-geforce-gt-1030-2gb,5110-9.html

 

[Karadjgne]

50w peaks for those cards tested, average gaming loads of mid 30's. Core i3-6320- MSI Z270 Gaming Pro Carbon- G.Skill F4-3200C14Q-32GTZ @ 2133 MT/s (16GB installed)-
That's not an i7-10700 with 32Gb of 2933MHz. So assumed max pcie x16 slot wattage, but either way, the difference is negligible because the pc could still over draw the psu by a significant amount, it's barely rated to handle the cpu alone regardless of other components.

 

[Lacene]

So, Dell says that my 3891 can upgrade to a 360W PSU. Should I go that route, and make all debates moot?

Part No. 2VD0G Lite-On 360W......

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Wonder if with a little modding and an adapter if something like this sfx form factor power supply could be shoehorned in.

https://www.microcenter.com/product...-plus-platinum-sfx-fully-modular-power-supply

 

[Lacene]

Wonder if with a little modding and an adapter if something like this sfx form factor power supply could be shoehorned in.

https://www.microcenter.com/product...-plus-platinum-sfx-fully-modular-power-supply

Seems off topic for the premise of my thread.....

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Well, if it allowed you to put a 1660, 2060 or better in there.....

 

[Lacene]

Well, if it allowed you to put a 1660, 2060 or better in there.....

My question focused on either the 1030 or 1650. Incidently, Dell says my PC supports 260W and 350W. I'm trying to work within my PC spec's parameters.....

 

[ohio_buckeye]

I guess I like to push those stock systems beyond what they were meant for lol. Especially since I think you said it has a 10700 if you could drop a 3060 in there that would be a great little box.

 

[Karadjgne]

Those are non-standard TFX psus. Dell had 2x options listed, but will Not list alternatives for just that reason, they charge a premium for the higher wattage upgrade.

But that doesn't mean there are not alternatives, even those made by Dell for other models, that'll also fit just fine.

So yes, you could hunt down the 360w model, but you'd also need to use the Dell version of the gpu, I'd not recommend use of aftermarket as those are mostly OC or higher models, not power limited Dell versions, and could easily be better suited to a 400-450w psu.