Inspiron 660 GPU upgrade

4evrsvd · Apr 11, 2017

I have a Inspiron 660 that I need a new GPU for. I currently have a GTX 750 installed, but the HDMI stopped working, (not enough power?). I have a GTX 650 and 660. Will either of those work? (probably not enough room for the 660). I know that the BIOS needs to be able to work with it. How do I tell if the GPU is compatible?

Also, do I need to upgrade my PSU? If so, what would be a good option for that? Can I use full modular?

Thank you in advance.

EpIckFa1LJoN · Apr 11, 2017

I'm going to tell you what I tell everyone looking to upgrade their pre-built piece of junk, especially Dell's (barf).

Build your own system. Buy a decent chassis and gut the dell and piece together what you can and upgrade as needed. You won't have to worry about cheap power supplies not having enough juice, or replacing one and running the risk of it not being the right form factor or whatever, you won't have to limit what parts you want based on size restriction or anything.

It isn't as hard as people think it is. Watch a YouTube video or two and before you know it you can put together a PC with one hand behind your back.

Having said all that I would recommend a 1050 at the most. It meets the same wattage requirements as a 750 and is short enough it should not be a problem with any case. The 1050 Ti might also be an option depending on wattage.

With the parts you have you could invest maybe $50 into a decent chassis, maybe another $30 in fans and boom! good to go until you are ready to replace the rest of it. I would definitely recommend upgrading the PSU though, Dell uses cheap ones that probably don't deliver near the wattage they are rated for.

4evrsvd · Apr 11, 2017

EpIckFa1LJoN :

Hi EpIckFa1LJoN,

Thank you so much for replying. Unfortunately I'm low on resources so I'm trying to make this work. I work at a church so my budget is limited and a build doesn't seem practical in a "business" environment. It's main use is a projector output, but will be hooked up to a ATEM Television Studio in the near future. So something like this card should be fine then? http://www.frys.com/product/9084457?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

It does have a 300W minimum so it "should" work, but what PSU should I consider as an upgrade?

Thanks again.

dontlistentome · Apr 11, 2017

The 750 required no 6 pin power connector right? The 650 and or 660 may require one, which would mean upgrading your power supply. Since it's a Dell, that may not be possible if the type of power supply used is a non standard size. Is the computer case a standard tower, or one of those small form factor types? If it's a small form factor, or slim design, it probably uses non standard sizes.

So you can use another card that does not require a 6 pin connector and keep the power supply you have. A 1050 is an example of such a card. What kind of bios does your motherboard have? 1050s work best with UEFI bios.

EpIckFa1LJoN · Apr 11, 2017

4evrsvd :

Ah I see. If that is your goal then I would recommend a Radeon RX 460 (Brand specific, some aftermarket cards will require additional power connectors, try to ensure you get one that does not need extra power.). It should do what you need all for around $70. It is cheaper than the 1050 and less powerful, for what you do that shouldn't be a problem, and is cheaper.

It uses board power so you should not need to upgrade the PSU.

Should you need an entirely different computer in the future for similar purposes, I can recommend a very solid build, which is about the size of a PS4, requires no graphics card, and is about $500, totally custom build.

As portable as a gaming console but more powerful and cheaper than a laptop.

The Paladin · Apr 11, 2017

4evrsvd :

1. you have a Dell Inspiron 660 , I need you to track the dell label and provide the complete "SERVICE TAG"
if the label is unreadable, boot into bios (usually F2 or F10) it should also be registered in the details of hardware information section, this will provide all the motherboard details I will need to suggest a proper cpu upgrade, as for cheap upgrade it may be very possible to purchase on ebay/used store to upgrade this cheaply

2. (deleted this lane as I read GTX 970 not GTX 750.. apologies)

3. once you have provided the service tag of the unit I will be able to identify the more than likely power supply that came with the unit (if it has not been changed before, which leads me to my next request; open the case, the power supply is located at the top of the unit (refer to the picture below it is item no. 1, look for the label on it if visible you should see if factory installed, or aftermarket for model and make of the power supply.

With these 3 things I can further help with upgrade and concerns regarding power.

4evrsvd · Apr 11, 2017

dontlistentome :

Right, the 750 did not need a 6-pin. The case is a standard size, mid-tower I believe. The BIOS is UEFI. So with all that being said, it seems that I can get away with a 1050 without upgrading my PSU...?

4evrsvd · Apr 11, 2017

EpIckFa1LJoN :

4evrsvd :

Ah I see. If that is your goal then I would recommend a Radeon RX 460 (Brand specific, some aftermarket cards will require additional power connectors, try to ensure you get one that does not need extra power.). It should do what you need all for around $70. It is cheaper than the 1050 and less powerful, for what you do that shouldn't be a problem, and is cheaper.

It uses board power so you should not need to upgrade the PSU.

Should you need an entirely different computer in the future for similar purposes, I can recommend a very solid build, which is about the size of a PS4, requires no graphics card, and is about $500, totally custom build.

As portable as a gaming console but more powerful and cheaper than a laptop.

That build sounds tempting. Maybe for personal use down the road.

Unfortunately, easyworship, (presentation software), works best with a video card equipped with the NVIDIA graphics processor...so they say.

4evrsvd · Apr 11, 2017

The Paladin :

4evrsvd :

1. you have a Dell Inspiron 660 , I need you to track the dell label and provide the complete "SERVICE TAG"
if the label is unreadable, boot into bios (usually F2 or F10) it should also be registered in the details of hardware information section, this will provide all the motherboard details I will need to suggest a proper cpu upgrade, as for cheap upgrade it may be very possible to purchase on ebay/used store to upgrade this cheaply

2. (deleted this lane as I read GTX 970 not GTX 750.. apologies)

3. once you have provided the service tag of the unit I will be able to identify the more than likely power supply that came with the unit (if it has not been changed before, which leads me to my next request; open the case, the power supply is located at the top of the unit (refer to the picture below it is item no. 1, look for the label on it if visible you should see if factory installed, or aftermarket for model and make of the power supply.

With these 3 things I can further help with upgrade and concerns regarding power.

1) service tag: FCR4TW1
3) PSU is original, factory installed.

The Paladin · Apr 11, 2017

from the service tag I pulled from the web site the following information;
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/servicetag/FCR4TW1/configuration

CPU: I5-3330, 3GHZ
Memory : 2x4gb 1600mhz
Power supply ATX format, but I get 240W and 320W on the same model, can you confirm which you have with part number of the PSu ?
Motherboard is XFWHV

which means;

CPU upgrade as a I7 3rd gen if you so want to , but you have a I5 already the I7 isn't going to provide a whole lot of more power unless ebay good price.

Memory: you could push it to 16GB but 8gb should do the trick

Video cards, the GTX 660 and 750 should run on this system but the 660 needs 450w and 750 needs 300w, (information from Nvidia web site)

so I think you issue is more than likely your OEM PSU being too weak, and if the manual I took the image from is accurate (PSU looks like ATX format)
then any Corsair or EVGA 80+ Bronze 500w-550w will do that trick.

4evrsvd · Apr 11, 2017

The Paladin :

PSU Model No: L300NM-00

So I could just upgrade the PSU and go with one of the cards that I already have? And any Corsair or EVGA, like you mentioned, will have the correct connections?

The Paladin · Apr 11, 2017

yep its DELL L300NM-00 300 WATT POWER too week for either those video cards.
grab a 500/550w 80+ Bronze or higher Corsair, EVGA, (there are a lot of models depend so country you live /area your in)

and you should be out to the races with that GTX 750

4evrsvd · Apr 11, 2017

The Paladin :

Thank you so much. I'll grab a new PSU and see how that does.

So something like this would work?
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438053

Or this?
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/3hkwrH/corsair-power-supply-cp9020102na

EpIckFa1LJoN · Apr 12, 2017

You won't need a new PSU if you get another card which pulls power from the board.

I went back and saw you have a 650. Have you tried that yet? It should be compatible and work similarly to the 750 but less powerful.

You would likely need to uninstall any old drivers for the 750 and then install the drivers for the 650.

You shouldn't need to upgrade anything if that works.

You shouldn't spend $90 on a new PSU when you could get a card that will work with your current PSU and will be better than a 660. The 1050 is a little better than the 660 and it will work like the 750 did. No extra power cables (as long as you get a founder's edition or mini style card which does not require additional power.) Like this: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500412&cm_re=1050-_-14-500-412-_-Product

But you may not have to spend anything if the 650 works.

The Paladin · Apr 12, 2017

you missed the fact his PSU is 300w a 1050 need additional 6pin which he doesn't have and required 300w a 1050ti could work on his 300w power supply as your intent suggested but would cost 120$, simply to get a PSu that will get him going and permit to use the GTX 750 he already has.

EpIckFa1LJoN · Apr 12, 2017

The Paladin :

Nope. runs off board power if its the right one. You must have missed THAT. Also never suggested a 1050 Ti, missed that too. BTW, how would a 1050 not work but a 1050 Ti, a more powerful card, will? logic?? His 750 does not work, if you bothered to actually read the post. Missed that too I guess.

https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/products/10series/geforce-gtx-1050/

"Supplemental Power connectors: None"

Case closed.

Don't upgrade the PSU OP, just get a 1050 or use your 650.

4evrsvd · Apr 12, 2017

EpIckFa1LJoN :

The 650 does state on the box a requirement of at least 400W and does come with a 6 pin to two molex connector adapter. Best bet may be to get the 1050 as suggested.

EpIckFa1LJoN · Apr 12, 2017

4evrsvd :

If it is an overclocked version yes it will require additional power and plugs, not all will, but that one apparently does unfortunately.

Your other option is to find a similar used 750 or 750 Ti assuming it also does not require supplemental power connectors. That would probably be the cheapest option. There are still 650 and 650 Ti's around as well. You may need to look harder but make sure you are getting them for a good price. I wouldn't pay more than $50 for a 650 Ti and more than about $60 for a 750, $70 for a 750 Ti, etc. The 1050 is more powerful than all of them and can be found as low as $99. I would recommend the Zotac Mini (Cheapest 1050 at $99). Zotac is a great company and they make some of the best graphics cards around.

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