Dell Precision T5500 GPU Replacement

boodee

Prominent
May 18, 2017
2
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510
I have a Dell Precision T5500 with dual Xeon quad core processors and an Nvidia Quadro FX 3800 1GB DDR3 GPU. I need to replace my GPU with a good gaming GPU such as MSI geforce gtx 1050 2GB oc or gigabyte geforce gtx 950 windforce 2x oc 2GB but both of these GPUs' dimensions are too large for my workstation so I need a good GPU with small dimensions or at least I need a solution to operate one of those cards on my workstation.
 
Solution
I have installed full size graphics cards in these T3500 and T5500. One I am typing on now has rx480.

What is limiting your GPU card size? The second CPU riser? If so you can try mounting in the upper PCIe slot.

If not limiting factor, you can remove two parts mounted with two screws each. 1] - the blue plastic retaining arm. 2] - the swing out HDD panel. Will loose a drive mount but these is another up top in the optical bay. Places drive right next to the SATA headers.
I used to own a Dell Dimension T5810. It was a single xeon workstation; replacement for the T3610. I attempted to pair it with a MSI GTX 970 4 Gaming GPU. The problem was the the case side has a handle on the interior, which prevented me from closing the case because the MSI card was too tall. I suspect that this is your problem now. Take a look at EVGA cards, as they aren't tall. Also look at your power supply's PCIe connectors and wattage, to see what options you have. My T5810 has two 6 pin PCIe cables, which meant that I had to use my GPU's included adapter to connect it's 8 + 6 pin sockets.

By the way, you may wan to go with something higher performing than a GTX 1050, if you plan to play games on this computer. A GTX 1060 6 GB or 1070 might be a better compliment.
 

boodee

Prominent
May 18, 2017
2
0
510


thx for your help. I can't get better cards as I am limited by budget. I've already checked my psu. It has 2 6-pin connectors and only one available 8-pin connector. I will check on EVGA cards now thx again for your help.
 

Susquehannock

Honorable
I have installed full size graphics cards in these T3500 and T5500. One I am typing on now has rx480.

What is limiting your GPU card size? The second CPU riser? If so you can try mounting in the upper PCIe slot.

If not limiting factor, you can remove two parts mounted with two screws each. 1] - the blue plastic retaining arm. 2] - the swing out HDD panel. Will loose a drive mount but these is another up top in the optical bay. Places drive right next to the SATA headers.
 
Solution

Susquehannock

Honorable
Guess I was not clear. Saying to remove only the small square section of the swing out panel under the upper HDD. This is well above the airflow pattern mentioned. The Dell designers must have had clearance for large graphics cards in mind as I cannot think of any other reason for that feature.