[SOLVED] Video card for small form factor? Dell Inspiron 3650

[warewulf]

My son has a Dell Inspiron 3650 which is small form factor. He would like to buy a graphics card.

Specs:
i5-6400
8GB RAM
240 Power Supply
256 GB SSD

His budget is around $300 - $350 or so. Is there a card that would work with these specs? I was thinking an Nvidia 1050 ti, but not sure if that would work.

Here's one I was looking at on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-GTX-1050-TI-4GT/dp/B01N2W8MJ9

 

[logainofhades]

If it is a SFF rig, you will need a GPU that includes a low profile adapter. Might want to look at the used market. That price, for a 1050ti, is a terrible buy. Fastest card, that doesn't require an external PCI-E connection is the GTX 1650 .

 

[warewulf]

If it is a SFF rig, you will need a GPU that includes a low profile adapter. Might want to look at the used market. That price, for a 1050ti, is a terrible buy. Fastest card, that doesn't require an external PCI-E connection is the GTX 1650 .

I'll take a look at the 1650, looks to be within his budget.

 

[King_V]

Wait, are you sure it's a small form factor? All the photos I've seen after my (admittedly very hasty) google search show what looks like a small tower, which will take normal height video cards.

 

[warewulf]

Wait, are you sure it's a small form factor? All the photos I've seen after my (admittedly very hasty) google search show what looks like a small tower, which will take normal height video cards.

Good question! I just assumed it's small form factor, but not sure now.

The tech specs specify:
Dimensions and weight
Height 352.90 mm (13.90 in)
Width 154 mm (6.06 in)
Depth 303 mm (11.93in)
Weight (maximum) 7.40 kg (16.30 lb)

Internal:

PCIe slot • Two PCIe x1 card slot
• One PCIe x16 card slot


Here's the tech specs:

https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/...spiron-3650-desktop_reference guide_en-us.pdf

 

[King_V]

That seems like it can use standard-height cards.

So, on the 3rd page, what's marked as #2 "Expansion Card Slots" . . if those slots are about 2.8 inches long, then you have to use low-profile (aka "half height") cards. If they're approximately 4.3 inches long, then you can use standard sized cards.

Though, that the case is 6.06 inches wide also makes me think you do NOT have a small form factor, and this is a normal sized case.


Here's an image demonstrating the difference in length:

So, 2.76 inches vs 4.38 inches. I think you have the longer one, which is good, because there's greater availability in that size.

 

[warewulf]

That seems like it can use standard-height cards.

So, on the 3rd page, what's marked as #2 "Expansion Card Slots" . . if those slots are about 2.8 inches long, then you have to use low-profile (aka "half height") cards. If they're approximately 4.3 inches long, then you can use standard sized cards.

Though, that the case is 6.06 inches wide also makes me think you do NOT have a small form factor, and this is a normal sized case.


Here's an image demonstrating the difference in length:

So, 2.76 inches vs 4.38 inches. I think you have the longer one, which is good, because there's greater availability in that size.

That's definitely good news! Probably go that route with the 1650.

 

[logainofhades]

Just make sure you stick to cards that do not have an external PCI-E connection. You are going to be a bit borderline, on wattage, with your current PSU. A 1050ti wouldn't fare any better.

https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron-Desktops/Inspiron-3650-PSU-upgrade/m-p/5825410#M1775

 

[King_V]

Just make sure you stick to cards that do not have an external PCI-E connection. You are going to be a bit borderline, on wattage, with your current PSU. A 1050ti wouldn't fare any better.

Absolutely! I very strongly second this (and kind of slipped by neglecting to make mention of it in my own post)