Need help refitting Dell Optiplex 980 for gaming

[SgtKris]

Hey everyone!

Im very inexperienced when it comes to computers, but Ive been wanting to upgrade my setup for a while. What I think I have is:

- 305W PSU
- PCI Express x16 slot

Im not quite sure what to do, since most good graphics cards seem to need much more that 305W.

These are the specs for the Optiplex:
https://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/optiplex-980-tech-guide.pdf

Would really appreciate some help here. Thanks!

 

[mjmiller1824]

It's easy enough to replace the PSU, but be aware sometimes computer manufacturers like HP and Dell do proprietary bs that means you have to get creative. But before you go through that trouble, how much ram do you have? Whats the processor and socket? And that case looks really small which means there is a good change you're going to run into problems with the larger cards. Also are any of your PCI slots occupied because you might need to make a choice between wireless (usually in the pci-e 1x slot) and a bigger graphics card. I had that issue on my Desktop. And what kind of HDD do you have? An SSD will probably boost your performance quite a bit because of faster read/write times.

 

[The Paladin]

as you noticed in the manual your pc comes in flavors of computer cases, first and this is related to what PSU you can slap in he case will be what case are you using MT/DT/SF (mini tower, desktop or small factor) this will also tell us if you can use certain video cards or not (size does matter in this case)

 

[SgtKris]

I have a 128 GB SSD, Intel Core i7 860, and I think 16 (4x4) GB ram.

 

[SgtKris]

as you noticed in the manual your pc comes in flavors of computer cases, first and this is related to what PSU you can slap in he case will be what case are you using MT/DT/SF (mini tower, desktop or small factor) this will also tell us if you can use certain video cards or not (size does matter in this case)

What size would you recommend, and are there any places where I can order this?

 

[Calvin7]

Intel socket LGA 1156 was introduced in 2009. They discontinued their LGA 1156 line of processors in 2012.

The 305 watt power supply was available with the Mini Tower Computer (MT). Here is a picture of the motherboard:
https://www.amazon.com/Optiplex-Socket-Motherboard-System-D441T/dp/B00UPWLPEI

Notice it says:
Intel Q57 Express Chipset
• Form Factor BTX

BTX (for Balanced Technology eXtended) is a form factor for motherboards, originally intended to be the replacement for the aging ATX motherboard form factor in late 2004 and early 2005. However, future development of BTX retail products by Intel was canceled in September 2006. A few OEM such as Dell continued using BTX Form Factor for several years after 2006.

Today, BTX is OBSOLETE. Nobody uses that size motherboard or case anymore.

I suggest you buy a bare PC case.
An ATX Mid-Tower fits ATX, Micro-ATX form factor motherboards.
An ATX Mini-Tower fits Micro-ATX form factor motherboards.

http://www.newegg.com/Computer-Cases/Category/ID-9

 

[SgtKris]

Intel socket LGA 1156 was introduced in 2009. They discontinued their LGA 1156 line of processors in 2012.

The 305 watt power supply was available with the Mini Tower Computer (MT). Here is a picture of the motherboard:
https://www.amazon.com/Optiplex-Socket-Motherboard-System-D441T/dp/B00UPWLPEI

Notice it says:
Intel Q57 Express Chipset
• Form Factor BTX

BTX (for Balanced Technology eXtended) is a form factor for motherboards, originally intended to be the replacement for the aging ATX motherboard form factor in late 2004 and early 2005. However, future development of BTX retail products by Intel was canceled in September 2006. A few OEM such as Dell continued using BTX Form Factor for several years after 2006.

Today, BTX is OBSOLETE. Nobody uses that size motherboard or case anymore.

I suggest you buy a bare PC case.
An ATX Mid-Tower fits ATX, Micro-ATX form factor motherboards.
An ATX Mini-Tower fits Micro-ATX form factor motherboards.

http://www.newegg.com/Computer-Cases/Category/ID-9

What is the difference between these motherboards, and what do I want if decent graphics are my goal? Thanks for the help btw, nice with some clarification.

 

[Calvin7]

For example:
GIGABYTE G1.Sniper B7
This is ATX Form Factor.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128892

GIGABYTE GA-B150M-DS3H
This is Micro-ATX Form Factor.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128881

The Micro-ATX is not as tall and has less room for expansion slots.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_form_factor

 

[SgtKris]

For example:
GIGABYTE G1.Sniper B7
This is ATX Form Factor.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128892

GIGABYTE GA-B150M-DS3H
This is Micro-ATX Form Factor.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128881

The Micro-ATX is not as tall and has less room for expansion slots.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_form_factor

Looks pretty good! Any suggestions for a PSU that works well for decent graphics? Im considering the AMD R9 290, but up for other recommendations. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Calvin7]

System Requirements:
750W (or greater) power supply with one 150W 8-pin and one 75W 6-pin PCI Express power connector recommended
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202043

FSP Group AURUM GOLD 750W (AU-750M)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIABP94H47447&cm_re=750_watt_psu-_-17-104-127-_-Product

 

[SgtKris]

System Requirements:
750W (or greater) power supply with one 150W 8-pin and one 75W 6-pin PCI Express power connector recommended
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202043

FSP Group AURUM GOLD 750W (AU-750M)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIABP94H47447&cm_re=750_watt_psu-_-17-104-127-_-Product

So basically, if I want to run a good graphics card I need to replace my case, motherboard, and PSU. Thanks for providing examples for this. But if I want to stick with my current setup, are there any decent cards that will work with my current PSU and motherboard? The case I can deal with. Thanks again

 

[Calvin7]

AMD Radeon HD 7750 was a popular choice for that Dell model.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/visiontek-amd-radeon-hd-7750-1gb-gddr5-pci-express-3-0-graphics-card-multi/6638372.p?skuId=6638372

Your not going to be able to run a very powerful video card with your small wattage power supply. The latest model video cards also might not be compatible with the Dell BIOS.

 

[SgtKris]

AMD Radeon HD 7750 was a popular choice for that Dell model.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/visiontek-amd-radeon-hd-7750-1gb-gddr5-pci-express-3-0-graphics-card-multi/6638372.p?skuId=6638372

Your not going to be able to run a very powerful video card with your small wattage power supply. The latest model video cards also might not be compatible with the Dell BIOS.

Alright, but I think with what you've told me I can figure something out. Thanks so much!

 

[NormanNMN]

Hey everyone!

Im very inexperienced when it comes to computers, but Ive been wanting to upgrade my setup for a while. What I think I have is:

- 305W PSU
- PCI Express x16 slot

Im not quite sure what to do, since most good graphics cards seem to need much more that 305W.

These are the specs for the Optiplex:
https://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/optiplex-980-tech-guide.pdf

Would really appreciate some help here. Thanks!

Get a GTX 1050 video card. Does not require power other than PCIE slot and will greatly enhance gaming options for this computer.

 

[SgtKris]

Hey everyone!

Im very inexperienced when it comes to computers, but Ive been wanting to upgrade my setup for a while. What I think I have is:

- 305W PSU
- PCI Express x16 slot

Im not quite sure what to do, since most good graphics cards seem to need much more that 305W.

These are the specs for the Optiplex:
https://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/optiplex-980-tech-guide.pdf

Would really appreciate some help here. Thanks!

Get a GTX 1050 video card. Does not require power other than PCIE slot and will greatly enhance gaming options for this computer.

What type? There seem to be plenty of versions of this card.