Question Upgrade path advice

[Jayj2000]

So I purchased this prebuilt (Msi Nightblade Mi3) in late 2018 and want to upgrade the Gpu as I notice 1050 2gb is starting to fall behind in the most recent titles and newer games that I like playing (I was thinking about getting the 1660 ti as the bottleneck is low with my cpu).

I realize that 350 watts is somewhat limiting my choice. As I believe the case is a flex atx and can only house 1U power supply's and they are rather expensive (450w - 500w = $100) less reliable, hard to find and overall dodgy.

Instead of buying one of these just to upgrade my Gpu do I just buy a good micro Itx case and a good more upgrade compatible, normal size psu for the same price (about $100) and just swap my components into it with the a new gpu?

Specs :
Mobo - MS-B9071 - LGA1151
I5-7400
GTX 1050 2gb
1tb hdd
16gb ddr4 @2400
350 watt psu 1U form factor

https://www.msi.com/Desktop/Nightblade-MI3/Specification

 

[Obakasama]

Might be handy if we can see the motherboard. A search returned some images, which looks like a standard PSU might be a problem.

 

[Jayj2000]

Might be handy if we can see the motherboard. A search returned some images, which looks like a standard PSU might be a problem.

Ok heres some pics I found of it as its hard to get pictures of it whilst under components :

 

[Obakasama]

I think I came across those when I searched, but as you're confirming they are accurate for your system.... the PSU will be an issue because it's not standard 24-pin. I had my concerns about how proprietary the motherboard is. And it looks like the system uses SODIMMs which would make it effectively a laptop motherboard.

The other factor is whether the mounting holes are standard as well. Hopefully someone can help confirm that aspect.

I suspect it won't be a particularly easy upgrade.

 

[Jayj2000]

I think I came across those when I searched, but as you're confirming they are accurate for your system.... the PSU will be an issue because it's not standard 24-pin. I had my concerns about how proprietary the motherboard is. And it looks like the system uses SODIMMs which would make it effectively a laptop motherboard.

The other factor is whether the mounting holes are standard as well. Hopefully someone can help confirm that aspect.

I suspect it won't be a particularly easy upgrade.

Ok for short term what do you think the best Gpu that i could use would be considering the 350w psu.

Also if its any help I think the psu i have at the moment https://www.amazon.com/FSP-Bronze-Supply-Industrial-FSP350-701UJ/dp/B016O1L17E

And I think the connectors include 1. Motherboard: 20+4 x 1 | 2. CPU: 8x2, 2x2 | 3. PCIX: 6+2 | 4. SATAx4 | 5. IDEx3 | 6. Floppyx1

 

[Obakasama]

That's a bit tricky. Given a particular GPU different board partners might suggest different minimum wattage requirements. Broadly though, I think a GTX 1050 ti is realistically the best you can go for on that wattage.

As for the PSU you currently have... maybe? I'm not certain. What I think is the power connector on the motherboard is 10-pin (2nd picture, bottom left), which suggests to me either a different standard or proprietary. What I can confidently say is I don't see a 24-pin power connector on the motherboard.

 

[Jayj2000]

That's a bit tricky. Given a particular GPU different board partners might suggest different minimum wattage requirements. Broadly though, I think a GTX 1050 ti is realistically the best you can go for on that wattage.

As for the PSU you currently have... maybe? I'm not certain. What I think is the power connector on the motherboard is 10-pin (2nd picture, bottom left), which suggests to me either a different standard or proprietary. What I can confidently say is I don't see a 24-pin power connector on the motherboard.

Yes I think it is a 10 pin but I see you can get 24 to 10 pin adapters I’ll have look into the mounting compatibility

 

[Obakasama]

I think that may mean extra care: Gamers Nexus had an article about using different cables for a PSU, suggesting the way things are wired can be different. So there's potential for bad results. I'm not sure if this carries over to adapters. Not my area but I would suggest caution.

 

[Jayj2000]

Ok I think at this rate I might just get a 600w compatible 1U flex atx psu from fsp group as they seem to be the most reliable and come with decent warranty