Can you put a 65W GPU in a 35W PCI-E slot?

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muhammadsamimhassan

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Oct 28, 2017
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So, I intend to build a sub $100 rig for light gaming (Half Life 2, Left 4 Dead 2, GTA 4, Crysis etc). I already have a GPU (Inno3D Nvidia GT440) with a TDP of 65W and no external connectors and I'm thinking about getting a Dell Optiplex 790 with a 2nd Gen i3 which has a Q65 chipset and it's PCI-E slots says 35W Max.

My question is; will The GPU work or will I fry something?

I'm not in the position to extend my budget, BTW.

Thanks!
 
Solution
SkyNetRising

If particular PCIE slot is limited to 35W, then for using GPU with higher wattage than that, external PCIE power connector has to be used. If your GPU doesn't have external PCIE power connector, then you can't use it in such PCIE slot.
Either motherboard or GPU can sustain damage, if you ignore this. But most likely your PC will just turn off during gaming session.
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SkyNetRising

SkyNetRising

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If particular PCIE slot is limited to 35W, then for using GPU with higher wattage than that, external PCIE power connector has to be used. If your GPU doesn't have external PCIE power connector, then you can't use it in such PCIE slot.
Either motherboard or GPU can sustain damage, if you ignore this. But most likely your PC will just turn off during gaming session.
 
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Solution
M

muhammadsamimhassan

Prominent
Oct 28, 2017
23
1
520


I did a little bit of research and found out that it's not worth the risk!
So, I started looking up for alternatives.
Turns out that Dell Optiplex 990 DOES have a 75W PCIe X16 slot.

I find it strange that most Optiplex Systems lack a "full" 75W PCIe X16 slots, especially The SFF ones which are almost always have a llimit of ~35-40W.

And what else? Dell is quite discreet about it as I had to download user manuals to find out the supported wattage. They didn't trouble themselves to mention it in the system's specs sheet on the official site, quite strangely!

Anyhow, thanks for the answer, mate!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

muhammadsamimhassan

Prominent
Oct 28, 2017
23
1
520


I did a little bit of research and found out that it's not worth the risk!
So, I started looking up for alternatives.
Turns out that Dell Optiplex 990 DOES have a 75W PCIe X16 slot.

I find it strange that most Optiplex Systems lack a "full" 75W PCIe X16 slots, especially The SFF ones which are almost always have a llimit of ~35-40W.

And what else? Dell is quite discreet about it as I had to download user manuals to find out the supported wattage. They didn't trouble themselves to mention it in the system's specs sheet on the official site, quite strangely!

Anyhow, thanks for the answer, mate!
 
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