Overhauling an Optiplex 745

[MrCristi]

OK. As the title says, I have one Optiplex 745, and I'd like to upgrade a few( well, more than a few) components in it.
Current configuration:
-Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 1.86 GHz
-nVidia GT 520
-3 GB of RAM
-250 GB SATA II HDD
-Dell 305 W PSU
-Stock cooling
Upgrade ideas:
-Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700
-nVidia GTX 650(maybe Ti)
-64 GB SSD
-500 GB HDD

And here comes my problem. I know that the PSU can't handle that hardware, but I can' find any compatible PSU with my Dell. I was thinking to buy a Dell XPS 700 PSU(1KW I think) because that case is also BTX AND a Dell at the same time, so I don't, see any reason why it shouldn't work.
Now you may be wondering why I would spend that much on such an old PC.Because I can find those parts very cheap and the performance boost would worth it. Just so you know, nothing is bought, so there's no reason to hurry. Oh, and by the way, is there any way to change the stock fan to an aftermarket one(such as a Noctua)?
Thanks in advance.
Oops. I forgot to say that it is a Mini-Tower. Sorry.

 

[Kisianik]

Thank you all for your help. These informations will be really helpful once I will buy those parts.

When you done, please report back the results and level of difficulty for you, so others will see.

 

[MrCristi]

OK. So I'm here with some good news. I haven't bought the PSU, and I'm glad I didn't do that, because it seems that I have found a fully compatible PSU with my Dell(at least that's what the site says). It is a PC Power and Cooling PSU 500W(http://www.pcpower.com/Dell/OptiPlex/Optiplex-755-MiniTower.html). And to my surprise, it is also available in my country. And I will go with a GTX 750, because it's on the new Maxwell core, and the most important thing is the lower power consumption. And I guess it will also run cooler.

 

[Wildwally8]

OK. So I'm here with some good news. I haven't bought the PSU, and I'm glad I didn't do that, because it seems that I have found a fully compatible PSU with my Dell(at least that's what the site says). It is a PC Power and Cooling PSU 500W(http://www.pcpower.com/Dell/OptiPlex/Optiplex-755-MiniTower.html). And to my surprise, it is also available in my country. And I will go with a GTX 750, because it's on the new Maxwell core, and the most important thing is the lower power consumption. And I guess it will also run cooler.

Hi

I have just completed upgrades to my dell 760 MT. I installe a Q8400 with stock aluminium cooler. Am busy sourcing a copper one....
I can confirm that the atx PSU will fit as I have successfully installed a Thermaltake Lite 450. The stock dell PSU had some slots which received tabs built into the case but this did not impede the installation of the new PSU. I had to "Jiggle" it when re-inserting the screws but it is sitting as it should and without any movement..

I completed my installation in about 15 minutes after receiving my AX7770 (Powercolor hd 7770 HE [v3] ). The card fits very well and makes an amazing difference to World of Tanks and warplanes. Runs COD: MW3 on medium setting quite well. Had to order the card from USA and had to wait but now I see that the AMD R7 250x cards are revisions of these cards and use less power, not to mention the GTX 750ti... no really dont mention it cause i spent my money already Had i waited I would not have needed to upgrade my PSU...

Be aware that I bought the GTX 650 without checking that the Dell could only take single slot and most of the GTX 650's are dual slot. I had to sell the GTX 650 (Gigabyte) and purchase the powercolor hd 7770. My researcfh has also indicated that the HD7770 outperform the GTX 650's.... (probably subjective to Nvidia fanboys vs AMD fanboys etc....) The HD 7770 is, apparently, the better performing mid-range GPU which can fit in the Dell MT.

Good Luck

 

[Hitman006XP]

I gave a friend an old Optiplex 745 E6300 to his birthday. Now i bought a Q6600 for 15€ and a dual slot GTX480 for 50€. I knew that the PC is build for single Slot only but i wanted to give it a try😉 and here's the result! The airflow on the graphics card isn't perfect anymore=P but it works and the temps are ok. It can Play ARK with around 80c°.






Here are all the Pictures:
http://s27.postimg.org/5ts3b50xv/IMG20150722195921.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/co2e0ttkz/IMG20150722195959.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/63zluhfk3/IMG20150722200006.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/tysssul8j/IMG20150722200013.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/6lurac54z/IMG20150722200241.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/g2kkgyozn/IMG20150722200304.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/d3dntufib/IMG20150722203252.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/z1a4nmuir/IMG20150722225109.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/knbc9my2r/IMG20150722225132.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/3k8ke4hdv/IMG20150722230111.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/pkowur01v/IMG20150722230134.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/su3c17o5f/IMG20150722230203.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/m4wsl72tf/IMG20150722230212.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/q2k2alpmr/IMG20150722230218.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/3rw7amscj/IMG20150722230228.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/a8560q0w3/IMG20150722230238.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/xxulpez9f/IMG20150722230605.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/84uqt2137/IMG20150722230615.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/869a07sar/IMG20150722230624.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/4nxa3trer/IMG20150722230643.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/rdwewtamb/IMG20150722230719.jpg
http://s27.postimg.org/ens6jq2o3/IMG20150722230732.jpg

 

[Kisianik]

Wow, need bigger screen to check it up, thanks for posting.