Upgrading a Optiplex 3020 with a new GPU; How and what to use?

[ShadeOhNiner]

I have been wanting to upgrade the graphics card on this tower for a while now, and I found a nice lil' gtx 1060 that I thought would be perfect for a first card.... until I did research. Now I am faced with replacing the power supply and possibly other challenges I am not aware of yet.

Can someone help explain what kind of hardware I would need to do this, or possibly suggest another card that would more readily fit this computer with somewhat decent performance?

(I have the full-size tower, and am currently using the integrated graphics processor.)

If I am missing any important information, please tell me. This is my first time really getting into customizing a PC.

[Sólstafir]

First of all, I have a strange request.

Unplug and open up the optiplex and tell me what shape the Power Supply is. It should be a big box-shaped thing the size of a biscuit tin, somewhere near the back. It'll have thick cables coming out like Cthulhu's tentacles. If you can actually measure it's height and width, that would be even better.

So why does the PSU's shape matter? Well, Dell machines often have Dell branded PSUs. They're a different shape to the aftermarket upgrade PSU you want to fit - round peg, square hole. I'm trying to identify whether you can actually mount the PSU you're going to need, or whether the PC has no upgrade potential at all.

I should warn you, there's a very real possibility that your PC can't be upgraded at all. If the PSU isn't a standardised box shape, replacing it with an aftermarket model won't be possible. That would necessitate ripping everything out and installing it into a new case, but again Dell systems often have Dell motherboards that only work in Dell cases.

It's just a bad situation all round.

[ShadeOhNiner]

I do know what a power supply looks like, although I think that is the first time I have had that description used for one. Also, I am pretty sure it is a standard design... I could be wrong though. Its roughly 3.5x6x6 (in the format height/length/width). Should I see if I can find its model number or take a picture as well?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

It's a Dell, don't upgrade it, start over...

[ShadeOhNiner]

I also found that a AMD Radeon RX 480 looks like it would fit, but I think it would have the same problem as the one mentioned before (power supply would need changing.).

[an annoying pirate]

get a low profile gtx 1050 or 1050ti if psu is a real issue then get gt 1030 it is rated at only 30w and come with low profile bracket(assuming you really have a crappy gpu or igpu)

[Fluffy]

if you have the small form factor (smaller flat "tower") its 255w stock and if you have the "full size micro atx dell 3020 its 290w power supply.. you can use a video card with existing power supply as long as its 50w or less

replacing the power supply is NOT an option unless you buy special adaptors because this particular dell machine uses proprietary 8pin power connectors (instead of 20/24pin motherboard power)

you would need this https://www.ebay.com/itm/24Pin-to-8p-Power-ATX-Cable-for-DELL-Optiplex-3020-7020-9020-T1700-Q75-65-TW/152079306706?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D49476%26meid%3Dfa8213f1c80d4eceb1248e98ab58cef7%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D381713301956&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

[ShadeOhNiner]

Originally posted by Fluffy:

if you have the small form factor (smaller flat "tower") its 255w stock and if you have the "full size micro atx dell 3020 its 290w power supply.. you can use a video card with existing power supply as long as its 50w or less

replacing the power supply is NOT an option unless you buy special adaptors because this particular dell machine uses proprietary 8pin power connectors (instead of 20/24pin motherboard power)

you would need this https://www.ebay.com/itm/24Pin-to-8p-Power-ATX-Cable-for-DELL-Optiplex-3020-7020-9020-T1700-Q75-65-TW/152079306706?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D49476%26meid%3Dfa8213f1c80d4eceb1248e98ab58cef7%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D381713301956&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

thanks for the information Fluffy. I currently am not using a video card, so it is using the integrated graphics processor (which is from what I hear is always worse then having a card at all), so I was looking for something I could get a consistent 60fps on a setting above minimum if possible. I am also using the full size tower.

Also, would heat be an issue with the card I mentioned in the original post (or any other card I may put in)? I keep seeing it both ways; you need extra fans or do not for this reason or that.

[Fluffy]

ok so with your 290w power supply i would go with gt 1030 or gtx 1050.. 1050 would be your best bet and what id recommend you cant run a gtx 1060 without upgrading power supply which you can do, but you would need the adaptor because this dell uses 8 pin power to motherboard instead of 20/24pin

as for the cooling you should be good there as most cards have enough self cooling to be placed in many different case configurations. try to find one with a good heatsin and 2 fans..

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125919&cm_re=gtx_1050-_-14-125-919-_-Product
something like this with two fans

[ShadeOhNiner]

As long an the adapter wont cause issues, I dont have a problem using one. This is the card I was looking at. Would this one (or any of the variants) work alright in the type of case I have? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IPVSGEC/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I1F4B4QGSXUWE9&colid=UCT88QQOIVI7&th=1

[Sólstafir]

Originally posted by ShadeOhNiner:

As long an the adapter wont cause issues, I dont have a problem using one. This is the card I was looking at. Would this one (or any of the variants) work alright in the type of case I have? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IPVSGEC/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I1F4B4QGSXUWE9&colid=UCT88QQOIVI7&th=1

I'm very reluctant to recommend a Pascal card with only a single fan, for cooling reasons.

There are two problems here. First of all, your PC wasn't built with a graphics card. That means the case it's installed in was never built with a GPU in mind, and will have less airflow and less cooling capacity.

Secondly, Nvidia Pascal (Cards named GTX 10X0)are very temperature sensitive. Their performance is regulated by a GPU Boost system, and for whatever reason GPU Boost on this gen of card is very finicky. It doesn't take much to trigger a Thermal Throttle - an event where the card runs at reduced power to cool itself off.

Now Single-Fan GTX1060s already run quite hot, hotter than is really advisable. Putting that card into a case which probably has airflow problems seems like a bad idea to me.

[Fluffy]

Originally posted by Wolfıe:

Originally posted by ShadeOhNiner:

As long an the adapter wont cause issues, I dont have a problem using one. This is the card I was looking at. Would this one (or any of the variants) work alright in the type of case I have? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IPVSGEC/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I1F4B4QGSXUWE9&colid=UCT88QQOIVI7&th=1

I'm very reluctant to recommend a Pascal card with only a single fan, for cooling reasons.

There are two problems here. First of all, your PC wasn't built with a graphics card. That means the case it's installed in was never built with a GPU in mind, and will have less airflow and less cooling capacity.

Secondly, Nvidia Pascal (Cards named GTX 10X0)are very temperature sensitive. Their performance is regulated by a GPU Boost system, and for whatever reason GPU Boost on this gen of card is very finicky. It doesn't take much to trigger a Thermal Throttle - an event where the card runs at reduced power to cool itself off.

Now Single-Fan GTX1060s already run quite hot, hotter than is really advisable. Putting that card into a case which probably has airflow problems seems like a bad idea to me.

+1 i agree

[an annoying pirate]

Get a fanless gt 1030

[Sólstafir]

Originally posted by an annoying pirate:

Get a fanless gt 1030

Not to be rude, but that's terrible advice. Fanless cards rely on the case's airflow to stay cool. Since the problem here is a lack of case airflow, that would be a very, very bad idea.

And besides, that's not a gaming-rated card. It's barely an improvement over an IGPU.

[DefinitelyNotMonk]

If you have the space, and a 6pin power cable spare you'll be fine with a 1060, you could look into a cheap new case and fit a few extra fans in the future along with a new PSU wouldn't hurt.

[Sólstafir]

Originally posted by DefinitelyNotMonk:

If you have the space, and a 6pin power cable spare you'll be fine with a 1060, you could look into a cheap new case and fit a few extra fans in the future along with a new PSU wouldn't hurt.

That was my line of thought as well. Maybe a $30 Bitfenix or similar. It'd solve a LOT of problems.

The only downside would be swapping the Optiplex' rusty gubbins into a new chassis. And I can tell you from experience, that absolutely sucks. It's one of those quick 45 minute jobs that takes 6 hours across two weekends.