Please verify before I burn up a Dell T1650

[Eegore]

Along with verification on my power supply I would be open to suggestions on what video card upgrade is compatible with my motherboard. (PCI-E gen 2, + 1 PCI slot, full PC stats below)

Dell used to have proprietary power supplies that would cook a system if you used a non-Dell PSU. I currently want to upgrade my Video Card on a Precision T1650 but I need more wattage and it would be easier to purchase a non-Dell PSU since their 600w units are huge.

I would like to confirm that buying a non-Dell PSU will be ok and not cook the system. Its a 2011 or 2012 unit and I believe they went to ATX in 2000.

Current PSU:
http://www.serversupply.com/POWER%20SUPPLY/DESKTOP%20POWER%20SUPPLY/275%20WATT/DELL/L275AM-00.htm

Dell full images and review:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6119/dell-precision-t1650-workstation-review-entry-level-catches-up-to-the-pack/4

Current Specs:
Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.20GHz
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)
Dell Inc. 0X9M3X (CPU 1)
1024MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 7000 series (Dell)


I am looking to run GTA V on low/med settings, as of right now I can easily run Skyrim and similar games. These machines at work do 3d modeling like crazy so I should be able to toss in a gaming style card as well right?

Thank you!

 

[bambiboom]

Along with verification on my power supply I would be open to suggestions on what video card upgrade is compatible with my motherboard. (PCI-E gen 2, + 1 PCI slot, full PC stats below)

Dell used to have proprietary power supplies that would cook a system if you used a non-Dell PSU. I currently want to upgrade my Video Card on a Precision T1650 but I need more wattage and it would be easier to purchase a non-Dell PSU since their 600w units are huge.

I would like to confirm that buying a non-Dell PSU will be ok and not cook the system. Its a 2011 or 2012 unit and I believe they went to ATX in 2000.

Current PSU:
http://www.serversupply.com/POWER%20SUPPLY/DESKTOP%20POWER%20SUPPLY/275%20WATT/DELL/L275AM-00.htm

Dell full images and review:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6119/dell-precision-t1650-workstation-review-entry-level-catches-up-to-the-pack/4

Current Specs:
Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.20GHz
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)
Dell Inc. 0X9M3X (CPU 1)
1024MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 7000 series (Dell)


I am looking to run GTA V on low/med settings, as of right now I can easily run Skyrim and similar games. These machines at work do 3d modeling like crazy so I should be able to toss in a gaming style card as well right?

Thank you!

Eegore,

As far as I know, given that Dell would have to build systems including power supplies conforming to Intel chipset and CPU specifications, a non Dell PSU should be acceptable. The T1650 had a an optional 320W supply and for $50, it could be Gold-rated efficiency, which to me sounds very standardized.

There were quirky L-shaped PSU's in small form factor Optiplexes -or is it Optiplexi? of the 740, 760 era, but to avoid disappointment you might also ask on the Dell.com support forum.

Looking at the T1650 layout:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6119/dell-precision-t1650-workstation-review-entry-level-catches-up-to-the-pack/4

> I can see where a PSU larger than the Dell-supplied would overlap the top of the motherboard. You can measure the current (no pun intended) power supply in your T1650 and when shopping, compare the dimensions to the dimensions on the PSU makers' websites. While measuring, make notes of the various connections as you will have to be sure that the new power supply has the same range of connectors in terms of power, connector type, and suitable cable length to avoid a lot of cable modifications.

I've had Dells since 1998 and the trend over time has been to use more proprietary parts as it's much more economical to buy them in. It's likely the power supplies are quite standard and with Precisions, quite high quality as Precisions are derived from server-oriented technology.

The T1650 was a bit of a transitional design - literally half way between a T1600 and T1700 (uses the Xeon E3 v2) and that makes it even less likely to have special parts. > Very wise to be certain though.

As for GPU, the good news is ever higher performance uses less power, is more compact, and less expensive. Choose the GPU before the power supply to size the PSU appropriately. I have an HP z420 with a 130W CPU and setup to use a pair of Quadros or Frepros and with a 600W power supply. These systems are used with Quadro K5000 and Firepro W7000 both of which are 150W+ GPU's. Check the GPU maker's recommended minimum power supply.

System Performance: I had a look at Passmark Performnce Test results for the T1650. There are 75 systems listed and the top performer in each parameter:

Rating = 4145 (i7-3770 / Quadro K2000 / Samsung 840 Evo 500GB / 16GB RAM)
CPU = 10132 (Xeon E3-1290 V2)
2D = 875 (GT 640)
3D = 2452 (Firepro V7900)
Mem = 2703 (32GB, in Xeon E3-1290 V2 / GT640 / Samsung PM841 system rated 3794)
Disk = 7471 ('Array 0", probably an SSD RAID 0 on PERC, LSI, or Adeptec PCIe controller)

As the i7-3770 and upper level Xeon E3 V2 are strong performers, and a Passmark rating above 4000 is (to me) the entry level to high performance, the T1650 seems to have good potential, though not the ultimate in expansion possibilities.

Cheers,

BambiBoom

HP z420 (2015) > Xeon E5-1660 v2 six-core @ 3.7 / 4.0GHz > 32GB DDR3 ECC 1866 RAM > Quadro K2200 (4GB) > Intel 730 480GB (9SSDSC2BP480G4R5) > Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > Logitech z2300 > Linksys AE3000 USB WiFi > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440) > Windows 7 Professional 64 >
[ Passmark Rating = 4968 > CPU= 13950 / 2D= 830 / 3D=3481 / Mem= 2767 / Disk= 4716] 6.20.15

Pending upgrade: HP /LSI 9212-4i PCIe SAS /SATA HBA RAID controller, 2X Seagate Constellation ES.3 1TB (RAID 1)

Dell Precision T5500 (2011) > Xeon X5680 six -core @ 3.33 / 3.6GHz, 24GB DDR3 ECC 1333 > Quadro 4000 (2GB ) > Samsung 840 250GB / WD RE4 Enterprise 1TB > M-Audio 192 sound card > Linksys WMP600N PCI WiFi > Windows 7 Professional 64> HP 2711x (1920 X 1080)
[ Passmark system rating = 3339 / CPU = 9347 / 2D= 684 / 3D= 2030 / Mem= 1871 / Disk= 2234]

Pending upgrade: PERC H310 PCIe SAS /SATA RAID controller, 2X WD Black 1TB (RAID 1)(Converts disk system from 3GB/s to 6GB/s)

 

[Eegore]

BambiBoom,

Thanks for the information, I was pretty sure Dell was maybe using odd sized PSU housings but the wiring was the standard ATX. I'm hoping something like this will fit and being modular I believe it contains the specific cables I need and I wont have extra lines laying in the tower:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152035

I was also told this would most likely fit:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Dell-600W-PowerEdge-SC1435-Power-Supply-HD443-RD595-H600P-00-HP-W602EF3-R5-/201349949823?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ee164697f


As for the GPU I just need some mid-range to be able to more smoothly run the games I have now and actually get GTA V to be playable. Seems like the GTX 750 line would work for a reasonable price but there might be more value in other cards. With my RAM and processor I don't know where I eventually bottleneck with a GPU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487116&cm_re=gtx_750-_-14-487-116-_-Product

Current Specs:
Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.20GHz
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)
Dell Inc. 0X9M3X (CPU 1)
1024MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 7000 series (Dell)

 

[Sqeej]

Find what the upgradable version of your power supply would be and get this graphics card; http://www.galaxytechus.com/__US__/Product6/ProductDetail?proID=146&isStop=0 (very low wattage of about 60w) and i used it in my most recent computer which was a Dell studio slim 540s. I had the same problem as you, and i can assure you after using this graphics card for a year in my computer i began to get a black screen everyday for about a month because my GPU was getting bottlenecked to hell because of my horrible CPU. But you seem to have a decent CPU and will be fine. I also had DDR2 ram 2x4gb in that rig and it ran just fine.

 

[bambiboom]

BambiBoom,

Thanks for the information, I was pretty sure Dell was maybe using odd sized PSU housings but the wiring was the standard ATX. I'm hoping something like this will fit and being modular I believe it contains the specific cables I need and I wont have extra lines laying in the tower:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152035

I was also told this would most likely fit:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Dell-600W-PowerEdge-SC1435-Power-Supply-HD443-RD595-H600P-00-HP-W602EF3-R5-/201349949823?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ee164697f


As for the GPU I just need some mid-range to be able to more smoothly run the games I have now and actually get GTA V to be playable. Seems like the GTX 750 line would work for a reasonable price but there might be more value in other cards. With my RAM and processor I don't know where I eventually bottleneck with a GPU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487116&cm_re=gtx_750-_-14-487-116-_-Product

Current Specs:
Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.20GHz
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)
Dell Inc. 0X9M3X (CPU 1)
1024MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 7000 series (Dell)

Eegore,

The way to be sure of the power supply is to measure the current one and any clearance from the bottom of the PSU to the top of motherboard and then check the dimensions of power supplies of interest. The Raidmax in the link is 5.9 x 6.2 x 3.3 inches (150 x 158 x 86mm) and a somewhat different format the fan is 90 degrees and on the face rather than on the back panel, but it might fit. There must be designed to fit both top and bottom mounted.

Be careful when considering a server power supply -the Poweredge- as these are designed to have extreme cooling and without regard to the noise. I have an older Poweredge 2600 and it's so amazingly noisy it can't be in the same room as the working space.

The GTX 750 is very good for the cost and these are compact and have low power requirements. If you notice in the specifications, it requires a minimum 300W power supply. The optional PSU for the T1650 - presumably when there was an i7- was 320W. Have a look at:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-OEM-Dell-Power-Supply-0NFMX-for-Precision-T1650-320w-/201188013020?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed7bd73dc

Dell would have specified a power supply in an expensive workstation that allowed a good flexibility of graphic cards. When new, Dell supplied the T1650 with the Quadro 2000, rated at 62W. For comparison, the GTX 750 is rated at 55W and the 750ti at 60W, so by the numbers, the optional 320W PSU and a GTX 750ti 2GB will work.

Consider buying the OEM 320W and all the cables, mounting, orientation will be plug in. As the GTX 750ti SC (2GB) has the same 300W minimum and is a sizable step up in performance, have a look at:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EVGA-02G-P4-3753-KR-G-SYNC-GeForce-GTX-750-Ti-Superclocked-2GB-Video-Card-/111688984563?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1a012ea7f3&nma=true&si=W7YO7NnPEnj22eUhGTFCT%252Fi4AYI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

-which is a 2GB 750 ti used for 2 days that sold for $100 or $3 more than the refurbished 1GB non ti.

Cheers,

BambiBoom

 

[Eegore]

Maybe I misunderstand how much power I would need. If just the GPU is pulling 300w power then the rest of my system has 20w to use and that puts my PSU at 100%. Shouldn't I have a larger PSU than the 320w, especially if I ever use something that uses more power in the future?

As for the current PSU in my machine it is exactly the same size as my burnt up Antec and that seemed to be a pretty standard 6' x 5.5" x 3.5ish" setup so most PSU housings will fit. Cables and fan position etc. of course will differ, and maybe the screw orientation.

If the OEM 320w will run my system without too much pull then I will go that way since it alleviates any mounting concerns.

Thank you for those finds in the auctions, the EVGA card is right what I was looking for. From what I see it uses board power only and no additional plugs.

 

[bambiboom]

Maybe I misunderstand how much power I would need. If just the GPU is pulling 300w power then the rest of my system has 20w to use and that puts my PSU at 100%. Shouldn't I have a larger PSU than the 320w, especially if I ever use something that uses more power in the future?

As for the current PSU in my machine it is exactly the same size as my burnt up Antec and that seemed to be a pretty standard 6' x 5.5" x 3.5ish" setup so most PSU housings will fit. Cables and fan position etc. of course will differ, and maybe the screw orientation.

If the OEM 320w will run my system without too much pull then I will go that way since it alleviates any mounting concerns.

Thank you for those finds in the auctions, the EVGA card is right what I was looking for. From what I see it uses board power only and no additional plugs.

Eegore,

Well, by the numbers, the uprated PSU provides 320W and the GPU you'd like to use suggests a minimum 300W PSU, so it should work with room to spare. Many, many people are using GPU's for which the numbers would not work and that could conceviably draw too much power, but they rarely is ever are pushed to that limit. Also, there is the logic that an expensive workststion needs to be able to use fairly high performance cards.

I think a lot of those building systems oversize the PSU dramatically and while some headroom /reserve is wise, it's surplus and actually less eficient as power supplies are designed to work best at a certain proportion of the maximum capacity.

Yes, a PCIe slot can provide 75W while the GTX 750ti uses 60W. I use a Quadro K2200 4GB that only uses 68W, the first GPU in twelve years -all Qaudros- that I didn't have to plug in. That should get those pixels shifting!

Cheers,

BambiBoom

 

[Eegore]

Ok thank you for all the information, it has been a big help.

I am really glad to see there is a Dell PSU out there that is specific to the unit I have.

And thank you Sqeej for the recommendation on the GPU.