Computer capable of running one of these GPUs? Specs Detailed below.

Kdegonia

Honorable
Jul 19, 2013
2
0
10,510
The specs of the pc are here : http://www.dell.com/downloads/jp/products/optix/OptiPlex_740_TechSpecs_070326.pdf

I'm planning on buying either a Radeon HD 7750, or an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550. I know they use PCIe 3.0 , which is backwards compatible to the 2.3 on the motherboard. But what I'm worried about is power supply for the NVIDIA. I'm fairly sure the RADEON can run on just the power the PCI supplies, but what about the NVIDIA graphics card that provides better performance? The computer is a Dell Optiplex 740, and runs Windows XP.

The voltage on the computer is 305W as i'm working with the mini-tower. The case is rather large, maybe even bulky. So I don't believe room is a concern.
I don't need anything super fancy, just something to run Minecraft, DayZ, WoW and Call of Duty: Black Ops.
 
Solution

Kdegonia

Honorable
Jul 19, 2013
2
0
10,510

Alright thanks, any way you could guide me in upgrading the voltage on my computer?
 


You are mistaken - room inside is huge problem, because you are using BTX design, not every card can fit inside.

Let me show what I mean.


THIS POST APPLICABLE TO MT (MINI TOWER) FORM FACTOR ONLY.

Unfortunately no card that is more than 7.5 inches long or 2 slots wide will PHYSICALLY FIT inside the case - it was found that only single bracket video card can fit due to BTX MOBO, where card internals facing upward towards PC internals, not ATX, where dual card design is blocking another PCI slot by facing downward.
If you prefer the card with beefier fan, then the length of the card must not exceed 7.5 inches, otherwise only "skinny" single bracket, single slot cards can physically fit.

Pictures below will prove my point.

View shows no room for dual bracket

01optilexgx620backviewe.jpg


Single bracket only, or you have to cut dual bracket in half

02optiplex745singlebrac.jpg


This is the other way to show my point

h6go.jpg


Here you can clearly see only single place for the bracket

03optiplexgx620insidean.jpg


Visual explanation

04optiplex755mt4.jpg


7.5 inches explained, also shown "obstacles"

05optiplex745singlebrac.jpg


This is the picture of actual "skinny" single slot video card (not sure which model)- perfect, "glove" fit.

06optiplex755mt3edit.jpg


So, I found 2 GDDR5 7750 cards and one DDR3 4GB (GDDR5 is better than GDDR3, even if GDD3 offers 2 GB RAM or more), which confirmed in reviews to fit Optiplex gx620, 745 and 755 cases (the difference between those models are different processors).

Skinny, flimsier in terms of construction, completely single slot XFX 7750 http://www.amazon.com/XFX-DisplayPort-PCI-Express-FX775AZNP4-FX-775A-ZNP4/dp/B007Z3T5JC

A bit beefier cooler, not as skinny, more durable in construction PowerColor AX7750 http://www.amazon.com/PowerColor-AX7750-1GBD5-DH-Video-Graphics/dp/B00775OC28/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362783129&sr=8-1&keywords=AX7750+1GBD5-DH

If you need Video card for working with high resolutions, BUT NOT FOR GAMING, PowerColor AX7750 4GBK3-H Radeon HD 7750 4GB is DDR3 card with huge 4GB memory, but is is not as fast as DDR5 and loosing in games http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131486&Tpk=7750&IsVirtualParent=1
Here is review of this card http://news.softpedia.com/news/PowerColor-Launches-Single-Slot-Radeon-HD-7750-4-GB-Video-Card-292712.shtml so this one is not for gamers!


Next will follow maximum possible upgrade, 7750 is weaker...

So far I found only 2 7770 video cards which will fit inside - PowerColor AX7770 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131477

HIS H777FN1G Radeon HD 7770 very tight fit, almost touching heatsink http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161433


7750 cards do not require power supply upgrade, but 7770 are.

However first of all I would like to add comment on PSUs, please check this list for choosing PSU to prevent doorstep creation or even worse - fire in your house!

Also, I would recommend getting modular PSU to avoid cable cluster in small cramped boxhttp://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139050&Tpk=CORSAIR%20CX500M%20500W%20ATX12V%20v2.3%20SLI%20Ready%20CrossFir&IsVirtualParent=1

When choosing PSU follow this guide http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx


There are so many options available here so I would just recommend one of the good one CORSAIR CX500M (modular), which has just enough power http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139050 Also, with modular you can get rid of extra cables, believe me there are a lot of them.
You need 500 watt at least, stronger is better depending on your money.

Anything else I can help you with?
 
Solution
i'm not convinced it uses a stock PSU, there is no mention of a 24 or 20 pin power socket on the spec sheet (from memory), and the voltage specs look odd, could this be from the era when dell were using non standard PSU's? in which case buying a normal PSU would be a bad idea.
 


Knowledge is the power.

Let me show you how to find proper parts.

First you go to say for an example http://www.impactcomputers.com/
there you click Dell parts on the left, next you choose Parts for Dell Optiplex, next you choose Parts for Dell Optiplex 740 Mini-Tower (mini tower because of 305 watt power supply), next you choose Power Supply, next you choose 305 watt power supply and you see this for example
NH493 - Power Supply, 305 Watt, PFC For Dell Computers

impactcomputersmiami_2272_418138866


Connectors Included:

24-Pin ATX Motherboard Power Connector (1)
Serial ATA (SATA) Connector (4)
4 Pin ATX +12V Power Connector (1)
Floppy Drive (FDD) Connector (1)

Part Number NH493/ 0NH493 compatible with the following Dell Models:

Dimension E520, Dimension E521, OptiPlex 330, OptiPlex 330 Desktop, OptiPlex 330 Mini-Tower, OptiPlex 740, OptiPlex 740 Desktop, OptiPlex 740 Mini-Tower, OptiPlex 740 MLK, OptiPlex 745, OptiPlex 745 Desktop, OptiPlex 745c, OptiPlex 755, PowerEdge T105

This is called homework, which I do prior to providing advices. Everyone should do similar to provide correct answers. It is not easy, but this way no mistakes are advised!

Now you can see that it is looks like standard small size ATX, after this you go to Dell Community Forum and search there for similar model and power supply, and so on (by now I have bookmarks almost for every Dell model, so I can save time).

The result is the guide I made based on all those searches. Difficult to do, but very simple to understand.

Any more questions?
 
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This is another BTX system, XPS 410

Just look at the picture and tell me is this PSU is ATX or not

xps410upgraded1edit2.jpg


The answer is - all Optiplex Mini Towers, except a few new ones (a few have mini 24 pin connectors) have ATX standard PSU. Some PSUs have to be slightly modified to fit (some very old Optiplexes), at the end all comes to experience, it is difficult to cover all quirks right now.