Need good knowledge to help with an old Dell OptiPlex 3010 MT

Linguistic1105 · Jul 1, 2017

After four or five years of not owning a desktop of my own, my father-in-law just gave me a Dell OptiPlex 3010 MT. And boy, am I loosing my mind.

So after receiving it and checking it all out I discover the PSU is 275W. I looked it up and I cannot find any answers anywhere. I know you can't replace PSUs on the 3010 SFF, but I can't figure out if it's possible on the micro-ATX version of the 3010. I also know some Dell models are completely proprietary and I am just so lost.

Specs:

Motherboard: Dell 42P49
Pic: http://i.frg.im/vZ4ffNlP/genuine-dell-optiplex-3010-dt-mt-pci-microatx-motherboard-42p49_600.jpg

Processor: Intel i3

PSU: Dell 275W - Model # L275AM-00
Pic: http://www.vgastore.com/content/images/thumbs/1011432_2018637.jpg
RAM: 4GB

Hard Drive: 250GB

Any assistance would be so great appreciated. In the case I CAN replace the PSU, I am also seeking recommendations for the PSU and a good micro-ATX card to go with it, among any other help anyone can give me.

Thank you so much!

(P.S. not sure if this was the right place to post, if not deepest apologies.)

clutchc · Jul 1, 2017

Let's be sure we are on the same page here with the Dell PC. They come i various flavors. Is this the way yours looks inside?
If so, you can use a retail ATX PSU. The cables will be a lot longer on the retail unit than on the custom dell, and there will be extra cables not used that you will have to deal with.

Let me know what your plans are for upgrading the PC and I'll help you find the right size/make PSU.

Linguistic1105 · Jul 1, 2017

clutchc :

Yes, that's the one. I was thinking a Corsair CX450 and a Gigabyte Radeon RX460. Does that seem acceptable? Just wondering if the card will fit.

I dont need it to be the end-all buttkicking machine. I just want to raid without freeze-framing constantly and maybe have the graphics settings a little below max (WoW).

Linguistic1105 · Jul 2, 2017

Also, I imagine i need a better processor but for all my hardware abilities my knowledge on CPUs is fairly limited. Could someone link one that would be compatible with the mobo and the 450w PSU im getting? I heard i5's are pretty good for gaming.

clutchc · Jul 2, 2017

Linguistic1105 :

OEM PCs like Dell sometimes get a bit finicky with upgrading the CPU if it isn't on the supported list. Usually a BIOS update will fix that, but you'd have to download that from Dell directly. They list the i5-3450 quad core as the only one at the time of the manual's printing. That would be the easiest choice. Unfortunately, any quad core CPU for that machine will probably have to be bought used somewhere like ebay since that generation is now discontinued and new ones demand a premium price.

But you'll probably want to upgrade the system memory to at least 8GB too if you want to game with something else running in the background. But you might first want to see how everything feels with the i3 you have in there now. The 2C/4T i3 Ivy Bridge CPUs are no slouch for gaming with a good gfx card

As to the PSU...
The Corsair CX450 is a decent budget PSU that should be fine with the RX-460.
Better would be the Seasonic 520W (for more headroom) and a GTX 1050 Ti. The RX-460 is not as strong if you game at 1080p and like to play with high settings. Even with the i3, the 1050 Ti would be a good choice.

Linguistic1105 · Jul 2, 2017

clutchc :

Linguistic1105 :

OEM PCs like Dell sometimes get a bit finicky with upgrading the CPU if it isn't on the supported list. Usually a BIOS update will fix that, but you'd have to download that from Dell directly. They list the i5-3450 quad core as the only one at the time of the manual's printing. That would be the easiest choice. Unfortunately, any quad core CPU for that machine will probably have to be bought used somewhere like ebay since that generation is now discontinued and new ones demand a premium price.

But you'll probably want to upgrade the system memory to at least 8GB too if you want to game with something else running in the background. But you might first want to see how everything feels with the i3 you have in there now. The 2C/4T i3 Ivy Bridge CPUs are no slouch for gaming with a good gfx card

As to the PSU...
The Corsair CX450 is a decent budget PSU that should be fine with the RX-460.
Better would be the Seasonic 520W (for more headroom) and a GTX 1050 Ti. The RX-460 is not as strong if you game at 1080p and like to play with high settings. Even with the i3, the 1050 Ti would be a good choice.

Thank you with your assistance in laying this headache to rest. I really appreciate it. And let it be known: up yours, Dell.

clutchc · Jul 3, 2017

Why berate Dell? That PC was designed as a home and/or office PC, not a gamer. Plus, you got the PC for free.

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