Optiplex 745 GPU upgrade!

No help needed, you are OK, I actually recommend now using this card, there could be one small issue, however no one reported this yet.

Here is my small guide to upgrade your Optiplex


I think I have to step in since not so many users know the limitations of Optiplex Mini Tower cases - this is not your typical small ATX case, it is BTX case, and not all video cards can fit, so I will provide you all with small guide into Optiplex MT GPU upgrading.

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



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



This is the other way to show my point



Here you can clearly see only single place for the bracket



Visual explanation



7.5 inches explained, also shown "obstacles"



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



There is additional problem, which I can not check - there are tall transistors on motherboard (this is Optiplex 745 Mini Tower motherboard)





take a close look at PCIE slot (the one to the right, with blue holder lever), next to the lever you can see 2 black tall transistors, this could be a problem for low sitting card, it was never reported to my knowledge on Optiplex 745 (similar problem was reported on Optiplex GX620, which has more transistors like this, so it could be not applicable here).

This is what I actually recommend, you see yours here as well


PNY VCGGTX650XPB GeForce GTX 650 2GB 128-bit GDDR5 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133474

PNY VCGGTX6501XPB GeForce GTX 650 1GB 128-bit GDDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133471

However, power supply upgrade would be very beneficial.


There are so many options available here so fist check this list for choosing PSU to prevent doorstep creation or even worse - fire in your house!

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

I would just recommend one of the good one (and cheap as well) 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.

Anything else I can help you with?

P.S. If you finding any answers particularly helpful to you, please mark it as Pick A solution, to solve the thread - it will benefit others, searching for the same question.