I have a dell Optiplex 960 what is good graphics card for me?

Danfr444

Reputable
Dec 21, 2014
1
0
4,510
I have a quad core from intel
my computer is a mini tower.
I have to run SC2 on the lowest possible settings and a low resolution and I can still only reach 30fps max which then drops to 20-25 about 10-15 mins into a game. Help ):
 
Danrf444,

On Passmark Performance test, with 214 results for "Dell Optiplex 960", the highest 7 scores in 3D are:

E8400 > GeForce GTX 750 > 3D = 2982
Q6600 > Radeon HD 7750 > 2190
Q9400 > GeForce GTX 550ti > 2038
Q9650 > GeForce GTX 650 > 1897
E8400 > GeForce GTX 650 > 1894
Q9400 > Radeon HD 7750 > 1893
Q9650 > GeForce GTX 650 > 1862

I like Passmark for this kind of real-world performance information, and besides performance, showing which cards will fit in the case, don't require too much power, and so on The nice feature of the newer GPU's is that generally they are compact and use less power anyway.

And, two or three changes (about $130) in these older systems make a very noticeable difference:

Dell Dimension E520 (2006) Original: Pentium D 830 @ 3.0GHz, GeForce 7300LE (128MB), 2GB DDR2 667 , 2 x WD 320GB > 2X Dell 19" LCD > Windows XP Pro 32-bit
[ Passmark system rating = 384, CPU = 613 / 2D= 248 / 3D=72 / Mem=562 / Disk = 522 ]


Dell Dimension E520 (2006) Revised: Core2 Duo E6700 dual core @2.66GHz > 4GB DDR2 667 > GeForce GT440 (1GB GDDR5) > 2X Dell 19" LCD > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
[Passmark system rating = 1219, CPU = 2024 / 2D= 457 / 3D=978 / Mem= 828 / Disk=576]

Cheers,

BambiBoom

HP z420 (2014) > Xeon E5-1620 quad core @ 3.6 / 3.8GHz > 24GB DDR3 ECC 1600 RAM > Quadro K2200 (4GB)> Samsung 840 SSD 250GB /Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > AE3000 USB WiFi > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H 2560 X 1440 > Windows 7 Ultimate 64 >
[ Passmark Rating = 4032 > CPU= 9247 / 2D= 821 / 3D=3263 / Mem= 2584 / Disk= 2470]




 

DallasFlier

Reputable
Jan 10, 2015
12
0
4,520

NO! Both of those links take you to DUAL SLOT cards, and those will definitely NOT fit in the Optiplex chassis. You need a single slot card, and even with single slot, if the HSF assembly takes up a full second slot width it likely won't fit due to conflict with the shroud from the CPU heatsink being in the way.

This one is true single slot, although availability seems limited, you pay a premium for it, and its likely to be significantly noisier than other GTX 750ti designs.

GALAXY GeForce GTX750 Ti RAZOR 2GB Graphics Card
 

iballew

Reputable
Jun 29, 2014
446
0
4,960

DallasFlier

Reputable
Jan 10, 2015
12
0
4,520

Sorry, but that's still wrong. The "proof" picture you linked to shows a chassis WITHOUT the heatsink/shroud installed on the CPU. Here's a picture WITH the heatsink & shroud, showing that there's most definitely NOT "plenty of room for cards that extend beyond the width of the single slot bracket."

Optiplex 980 chassis WITH heatsink/shroud
 

DallasFlier

Reputable
Jan 10, 2015
12
0
4,520

As you note, the length is very critical if it is to fit. In your picture, another half inch length would run into the shroud. "About the same length" isn't a good recommendation for someone coming here for advice. If someone has successfully installed a specific card, that's good - otherwise, the safest bet is a single width card - like the HD 7750 I have installed in mine.
 

iballew

Reputable
Jun 29, 2014
446
0
4,960
Sorry for the confusion. It has been a long week and perhaps I shouldn't have been answering questions. We don't know the exact distance between the heatsink and the pci e slot nor the exact measurements of the cards.. The best we can do is find a card we think can fit. Worst case scenario, he has to return the card because it wont fit (I recommend amazon because of effortless and cost less returns). Hopefully, he will let us know if it fits or not so others can use this information.

The best single slot card I can find that isn't ridiculously overpriced is a single slot r7 250 (hd 7750) from xfx. I have found a much smaller, shorter gtx 750 ti that barely protrudes past the end of the pci express slot. For the record, its more than twice as fast as the r7 250. Please, post your results so others can use the information.

r7 250 (fairly certain it will fit): http://www.amazon.com/XFX-250E-800MHz-Graphics-R7250EZNP4/dp/B00JM5XX9O/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1422759024&sr=8-7&keywords=r7+250&pebp=1422759020476&peasin=B00JM5XX9O

gtx 750 ti: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127836&cm_re=gtx_750-_-14-127-836-_-Product
 

DallasFlier

Reputable
Jan 10, 2015
12
0
4,520

Yes, I have a single slot HD 7750 in my Dell Optiplex, very familiar with those, although the one I have is a different single slot one (actually the reference card.) You're right, the GTX 750i card will probably fit, but we don't know for sure. I decided not to risk it (especially since it would have cost twice the price I paid for the HD 7750), because according to information I see, its a little faster than the HD 7750, but most definitely not "more than twice as fast" by any stretch.

GeForce GTX 750 Ti vs Radeon HD 7750
 

Chase Champion

Reputable
Mar 17, 2015
2
0
4,510
Yes a 750TI will fit, i just put an EVGA 750ti SC in mine last night, one of my capacitors was in the way so i had to bend a plasic bracket a hair on the card itself, and obviously had to trim the front plate down to a single slot face plate. Other than that it fit like a glove. didnt even have to mess with my PS2 mouse stuff. was pretty happy.

yes the 750 TI is twice as fast as a 7750, the regular gtx750 is not.

the biggest thing i noticed was the huuuuge change in graphics in game. In D3 fire effects are insanely more realistic and pronounced. im guessing because of directX updates?

but anyways, yeah guys it will fit just fine.

Optiplex 960, 8 gigs ram, qx9650, 8570 radeon HD now switched to GTX750ti SC
 

Johny_dragon

Reputable
Sep 29, 2015
51
0
4,530


Sorry Do you need to replace the Power supply

 

Techone304

Commendable
Aug 16, 2016
1
0
1,510
We have installed the HD 7750 1gb ddr5 in the Dell Optiplex 960 SFF Core Duo with 8gb ram many times for our customers. This is the best you can install in this form factor. It is 100% stable with truly impressive graphics. There are different brands and all pretty much perform the same. We went with this one http://amzn.to/2aXiavM because of lifetime warranty.