Looking for a new larger case for Dell Optiplex 790

[Aldorado888]

Hello,

I am looking for a new bigger case for my Dell Optiplex 790. I would like to put a new power supply and GPU. If anyone ever did that before, or if you are more computer saavy than me, your help would be greatly appreciated. Here are some specs that I found>

Thank you for your help!

Model
Brand
DELL
Series
OptiPlex
Model
790 SFF (469-0542)

Quick Info
Type
Business Desktops & Workstations
Form Factor
Slim/Small form factor
Processor
Intel Core i5-2400 3.1GHz
Processor Main Features
64 bit Quad-Core Processor
Cache Per Processor
6MB L3 Cache
Memory
4GB
Storage
500GB
Optical Drive
8X Slimline DVD+/-RW
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 2000
Power Supply
240W
Keyboard
Yes
Mouse
Yes
Operating System
Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit

CPU
CPU Type
Intel Core i5
Installed Qty
1
CPU Speed
2400 (3.10 GHz)
L3 Cache Per CPU
6 MB
CPU Socket Type
LGA 1155
CPU Main Features
64 bit Quad-Core Processor

Graphics
GPU/VGA Type
Intel HD Graphics 2000
Graphics Interface
Integrated video

Memory
Memory Capacity
4 GB DDR3
Memory Speed
DDR3 1333
Memory Spec
2 GB x 2

Hard Drive
HDD
500 GB
HDD Interface
SATA II
HDD RPM
7200rpm

Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type
DVD±RW
Optical Drive Spec
8X Slimline DVD+/-RW

Communications
LAN Chipset
Integrated

Front Panel Ports
Front USB
4
Front Audio Ports
2

Back Panel Ports
COM
1
PS/2
2
Video Ports
1 VGA, 1 Display Port
Rear USB
6
RJ45
1 port
Rear Audio Ports
1 audio in
1 audio out

Expansion
External Bays
1 x External 5.25" (slimline)
Internal Bays
1 x Internal 3.5"

Dimensions & Weight
Dimensions (H x W x D)
12.3" x 11.4" x 3.7"
Weight
12.57 lbs

Packaging
Package Type
Commercial

 

[clutchc]

Replacing the case with a retail model will be fraught with problems. Dell uses proprietary connectors between motherboard front panel. None of the Dell FP headers will match up with the retail case's FP connectors.
Btw, I'm on a Dell Optiplex 790 SFF right now. It has an i5-2400, and I've added a GTX 750 Ti.

 

[Aldorado888]

Replacing the case with a retail model will be fraught with problems. Dell uses proprietary connectors between motherboard front panel. None of the Dell FP headers will match up with the retail case's FP connectors.
Btw, I'm on a Dell Optiplex 790 SFF right now. It has an i5-2400, and I've added a GTX 750 Ti.

Thanks man. How strong is your power supply? I actually have 750 ti on another desktop, but I have 500w power unit. Did the card fit inside the case without issues?

Cheers,
A

 

[clutchc]

Replacing the case with a retail model will be fraught with problems. Dell uses proprietary connectors between motherboard front panel. None of the Dell FP headers will match up with the retail case's FP connectors.
Btw, I'm on a Dell Optiplex 790 SFF right now. It has an i5-2400, and I've added a GTX 750 Ti.

Thanks man. How strong is your power supply? I actually have 750 ti on another desktop, but I have 500w power unit. Did the card fit inside the case without issues?

Cheers,
A

Obviously, the card has to be low profile. I used the Gigabyte GTX 750 Ti: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125680
Technically, you should have a 300W PSU with a strong +12V rail. I have been using the stock 240W PSU with its tiny 17amp +12V rail. But it has been handling it so far. I've run games like Crysis 3 with it. I have estimated less than 14 amp on the +12V rail when gaming.
The card installed easily. Just enough room. Cooling is lacking, but CPU and GPU temps have remained safe. I did it months ago more or less as an experiment to see if it would work, and have been using it that way ever since.

I can't recommend you do the same unless you are willing to accept the possibility of overloading the PSU and having it die on you. Worse case scenario; it could take out something else when it goes. I'm willing to take that chance.
You could back off to one of the L-P 64 bit DDR5 GT 730 cards instead if you don't want to take the risk.

 

[Aldorado888]

Replacing the case with a retail model will be fraught with problems. Dell uses proprietary connectors between motherboard front panel. None of the Dell FP headers will match up with the retail case's FP connectors.
Btw, I'm on a Dell Optiplex 790 SFF right now. It has an i5-2400, and I've added a GTX 750 Ti.

Thanks man. How strong is your power supply? I actually have 750 ti on another desktop, but I have 500w power unit. Did the card fit inside the case without issues?

Cheers,
A

Obviously, the card has to be low profile. I used the Gigabyte GTX 750 Ti: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125680
Technically, you should have a 300W PSU with a strong +12V rail. I have been using the stock 240W PSU with its tiny 17amp +12V rail. But it has been handling it so far. I've run games like Crysis 3 with it. I have estimated less than 14 amp on the +12V rail when gaming.
The card installed easily. Just enough room. Cooling is lacking, but CPU and GPU temps have remained safe. I did it months ago more or less as an experiment to see if it would work, and have been using it that way ever since.

I can't recommend you do the same unless you are willing to accept the possibility of overloading the PSU and having it die on you. Worse case scenario; it could take out something else when it goes. I'm willing to take that chance.
You could back off to one of the L-P 64 bit DDR5 GT 730 cards instead if you don't want to take the risk.

Thanks man. I don't mind taking some risk. I am mainly disappointed with my current HP Pavilion desktop with AMD Athlon 2 4 quad 2.8 GHz, 8G DDR3 RAM and regular GTX 750 ti card. I cant run GTA 5 or BF5 on low graphics. It can handle BF4 on medium to low graphics, but that's about it. Mortal Combat X is not even a question... I am thinking it is because of the processor. Do you think there is an option to replace AMD Athlon 2 with i5 to improve the situation?...

 

[Alabalcho]

Most brand-name desktops these days (your Dell included) use BTX form factor, not ATX. You will have great troubles finding BTX case (in addition to front-panel connections mentioned above).

 

[clutchc]

Thanks man. I don't mind taking some risk. I am mainly disappointed with my current HP Pavilion desktop with AMD Athlon 2 4 quad 2.8 GHz, 8G DDR3 RAM and regular GTX 750 ti card. I cant run GTA 5 or BF5 on low graphics. It can handle BF4 on medium to low graphics, but that's about it. Mortal Combat X is not even a question... I am thinking it is because of the processor. Do you think there is an option to replace AMD Athlon 2 with i5 to improve the situation?...

What motherboard is under the Athlon II X4 630? What resolution is your monitor?
You may be able to find a used CPU on ebay that will give you more processing power while gaming online. But the GTX 750 Ti is still basically a medium settings card at 1080p even with the best CPU.