I bought an optiplex 790 with a completely wiped hard drive. No operating system, no partitions, 4gb ram, an i3 2120 cpu and hd6350 on board graphics. This is my first build/upgrade. I'm wanting to upgrade it, add an operating system, maybe upgrade the GPU, and I have a very tight budget. I'm trying to make something that I will have fun using. If you have some recommendations, please let me know. I'm not very knowledgeable about computers, so any help would be appreciated.
Optiplex 790 upgrade help
- Thread starter whall7532
- Start date
Solution
- Aug 3, 2006
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There are four different versions of the Dell Optiplex 790.
Support Page
1) Mini-Tower
2) Desktop
3) Small Form Factor (SFF)
4) Ultra Small Form Factor (USSF)
You need to determine which one you have first.
-Wolf sends
Support Page
1) Mini-Tower
2) Desktop
3) Small Form Factor (SFF)
4) Ultra Small Form Factor (USSF)
You need to determine which one you have first.
-Wolf sends
I think I have either a dt or a sff I looked up the service tag # on the dell support page, and it said desktop. I dont know if that means just it's a desktop pc or it's a 790dt. The manual for the 790dt shows a picture that looks about right.
I know that's not much for both an OS and gpu unless I do something like linux. I have tried buying a windows 7 ultimate on Ebay for $3 or so, and that got my computer to turn on and boot up, but I didn't have a windows 7 ultimate product key. I boughtanother windows 7 pro, which had a product key and also I have a windows 7 pro product key on a sticker on top of the case. That's what I've tried so far.
- Aug 3, 2006
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Well, you're not going to find anything new for that budget. Here's what I'm thinking:
1) The Intel Core I7-2700 is likely going to give you the best upgrade processor-wise. It's four cores and eight threads are double that of the I3-2120's two cores and four threads. The I5-2500 doesn't have hyper-threading so it's limited to four threads just like your I3-2120.
2) Find out how your current RAM is configured. You state 4GB of RAM. Is that 1x4GB, 2x2GB, or 4x1GB modules?
2a) If it's 1x4GB, see if you can find out what the model number of module is and see if you can find an identical model for sale.
2b) If it's 2x2GB, the you should consider doing the same, but with a 2x2GB kit. On the other hand, you could replace your current 2x2GB kit with a 2x4GB kit or 2x8GB kit for a total of 16GB of RAM.
2c) If it's 4x1GB, then you should consider replacement with either a 2x4GB, 4x4GB or 2x8GB RAM kit.
This all depends on your budget and what you can find.
3) The system only has a 240 watt power supply, so that's not going to be enough to power any type of gaming graphics card. You might (and I stress, "MIGHT") get away with a Geforce GT730, but personally, I wouldn't even try without first replacing the power supply. Unfortunately, finding an upgrade is going to be more than just difficult and after the CPU and RAM upgrades, you're probably at your budget limit anyway.
-Wolf sends
1) The Intel Core I7-2700 is likely going to give you the best upgrade processor-wise. It's four cores and eight threads are double that of the I3-2120's two cores and four threads. The I5-2500 doesn't have hyper-threading so it's limited to four threads just like your I3-2120.
2) Find out how your current RAM is configured. You state 4GB of RAM. Is that 1x4GB, 2x2GB, or 4x1GB modules?
2a) If it's 1x4GB, see if you can find out what the model number of module is and see if you can find an identical model for sale.
2b) If it's 2x2GB, the you should consider doing the same, but with a 2x2GB kit. On the other hand, you could replace your current 2x2GB kit with a 2x4GB kit or 2x8GB kit for a total of 16GB of RAM.
2c) If it's 4x1GB, then you should consider replacement with either a 2x4GB, 4x4GB or 2x8GB RAM kit.
This all depends on your budget and what you can find.
3) The system only has a 240 watt power supply, so that's not going to be enough to power any type of gaming graphics card. You might (and I stress, "MIGHT") get away with a Geforce GT730, but personally, I wouldn't even try without first replacing the power supply. Unfortunately, finding an upgrade is going to be more than just difficult and after the CPU and RAM upgrades, you're probably at your budget limit anyway.
-Wolf sends
- Aug 3, 2006
- 28,520
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And unless that system supports Windows 10 (which your can download, install, and use for free direct from Microsoft)*, you're going to be stuck with Linux.
-Wolf sends
* Free Windows 10 comes with no customization options and a nagging watermark in the corner of the screen, but is otherwise 100% functional. I'd try it: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
- Aug 3, 2006
- 28,520
- 1,697
- 133,290
Personally, I'd look for a power supply upgrade, but remember, that's a proprietary Dell power supply. Any power supply you find MUST state that it works with your Dell Optiplex 790DT. A Dell Optiplex 790MT power supply will not fit!
-Wolf sends
-Wolf sends
Are there any psus that you would recommend? I dont know what I'm looking for in a power supply that would mean it is compatible with the 790 dt. I found one on Walmart for like $45. The same one on Amazon by another distributor. Are there any better alternatives? Are there any cheaper alternatives? Are those 2 mutually exclusive?
- Aug 3, 2006
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Not sure. The problem is that one from Wally-World says replacement for the "Slimline" version. Dell doesn't identify their systems like that. Does it fit the Desktop, Small Form Factor, or Ultra Small Form Factor, or all three? I'd contact Dell Support and ask if that power supply is compatible with your Desktop version. If it is, that's the one I'd go with.
Dell Optiplex 790 Power Supply Upgrade
-Wolf sends
Dell Optiplex 790 Power Supply Upgrade
-Wolf sends
dontlistentome
Glorious
- Sep 5, 2016
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I'd install whatever version of Windows 7 you have a key for, then use a USB stick with the matching version of Win 10 on it to install Win 10. Technically the free upgrade is over, but it might work and it's worth a try.
A GT 1030 is probably your best bet for a videocard upgrade. It uses very low power and comes in very small low profile form factors.
You haven't said why you want to upgrade, so it's hard to suggest anything more useful. More memory may help, it might not, it depends on your use. An SSD could do a lot to make the computer more 'fun' to use, then again it might not, depending on what you're doing.
The first thing I'd do if this were my computer is get Win 10 installed, whether it's a direct Win 10 installation or a Win 7 to Win 10 upgrade. Next, I'd upgrade the videocard, the HD 6350 is all but useless for anything except very basic computer use. Once that's done you can then see if memory is needed. Then maybe an SSD.
Don't worry about upgrading the power supply. You don't buy the desktop version of the 790 if you need to upgrade the power supply, you buy the mini tower version for that. The desktop version is used 'as is' where power is concerned.
A GT 1030 is probably your best bet for a videocard upgrade. It uses very low power and comes in very small low profile form factors.
You haven't said why you want to upgrade, so it's hard to suggest anything more useful. More memory may help, it might not, it depends on your use. An SSD could do a lot to make the computer more 'fun' to use, then again it might not, depending on what you're doing.
The first thing I'd do if this were my computer is get Win 10 installed, whether it's a direct Win 10 installation or a Win 7 to Win 10 upgrade. Next, I'd upgrade the videocard, the HD 6350 is all but useless for anything except very basic computer use. Once that's done you can then see if memory is needed. Then maybe an SSD.
Don't worry about upgrading the power supply. You don't buy the desktop version of the 790 if you need to upgrade the power supply, you buy the mini tower version for that. The desktop version is used 'as is' where power is concerned.
I got the windows 7 from Ebay to work, and it had a product key to activate it. Does windows 10 work on a 790? Everywhere I looked said that Microsoft didn't make windows 10 backwards compatible with the 790. As for upgrades, I'm going to try to make it into a basic gaming pc, so I was thinking about the gt 1030 or the gtx 750 ti.
Any GPU that fits your budget will run on the Dell PSU up to GTX 1050Ti. You need a low profile GPU.The Dell should have a COA sticker with an activation code for that system on the case somewhere. Cost $0.
Here are some builds for the Opti 790. You can look at CPU scores and see what you can afford. 8GB RAM is OK for a budget system.
http://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-OptiPlex-790/3864
You can also compare the relative performance of the GPUs there if you scroll down to the lower performing systems.
A GTX1050 would probaly be the best you can hope for on that budget. The GTX750Ti is better then the GT1030.
Here are some builds for the Opti 790. You can look at CPU scores and see what you can afford. 8GB RAM is OK for a budget system.
http://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Dell-OptiPlex-790/3864
You can also compare the relative performance of the GPUs there if you scroll down to the lower performing systems.
A GTX1050 would probaly be the best you can hope for on that budget. The GTX750Ti is better then the GT1030.
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