Upgrading a Optiplex 790 MT to gaming PC

[BMR777]

Hello Everyone,

 

I recently purchased a secondhand Dell Optiplex 790 MiniTower and I want to upgrade it to be able to game, mainly for GTA V but also potentially newer games as well that my wife and I would want to play.  I'm not all that familiar with hardware, though I have done some hard drive and memory upgrades to other PCs in the past.  I have a few questions and was hoping someone who knows more than me could help:

 

I'm planning on upgrading it with a GTX 1050 Ti, 240GB SSD, 500GB HDD, and bumping the internal 4GB of RAM to 12GB by adding 2 new 4GB sticks in addition to the two 2GB sticks currently in the PC.

 

The PC currently has a 265W Power Supply in it.  Do I need to upgrade this to something more powerful in order to work with the configuration I wish to use?  I'm wondering if adding the additional hard drive and RAM plus the graphics card will be too much power draw, but I would prefer not to upgrade the power supply if possible because it adds to my budget.

 

Also, is there issues with adding 2 new 4GB RAM sticks to the 2 2GB sticks already in the PC?

 

Also, I'm looking to add either an EVGA 1050 Ti or ASUS 1050 Ti.  Is one of these cards better than the other, or are all 1050 Ti's the same?  Also, I'm concerned that the ASUS card might be too long for the Dell Optiplex 790 case, anyone know if that card will fit?  I believe both of these cards do not require external power, is that right also?

 

Thanks!

[GoldenLag]

You will more or less need to pick up a new PSU.

 

Grab a CX 550(2017) from corsair. 

 

Then grab an rx 570 new (much faster and cheaper than the 1050ti) or find a used R9 290x for 80$. 

 

Getting everything to fit should work fine. The cards arent all that long. (The R9 290x is probably too long)

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: Gigabyte - Radeon RX 570 4 GB Gaming 4G  Video Card  ($149.99 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Corsair - CX (2017) 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $199.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-01-27 17:32 EST-0500

 

Here os the parts id suggest

[Tristerin]

24 minutes ago, BMR777 said:

-snip\-

 

6 minutes ago, GoldenLag said:

You will more or less need to pick up a new PSU.

 

Grab a CX 550(2017) from corsair. 

 

Then grab an rx 570 new (much faster and cheaper than the 1050ti) or find a used R9 290x for 80$. 

 

Getting everything to fit should work fine. The cards arent all that long. (The R9 290x is probably too long)

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: Gigabyte - Radeon RX 570 4 GB Gaming 4G  Video Card  ($149.99 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Corsair - CX (2017) 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $199.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-01-27 17:32 EST-0500

 

Here os the parts id suggest

Correct - that motherboard only supports 35w at the PCIE x16 slot and the PSU is ATX form factor as well. 

 

HOWEVER

 

HOWEVER

 

That's not to much power for that PSU in reality.  Its likely a Lite On brand PSU and can handle the following imho:

 

Get a 1050 ti that requires additional 6pin power connector, there should be a couple power rails coming off that PSU either Molex or SATA I am not sure.  Get a SATA or Molex to 6 pin connector (if SATA get 2x SATA to 6 pin and pull from two DIFFERENT power rails coming out the back of the PSU) and plug it into GPU - voila it will work.

 

Id only try this if its a Lite On branded PSU in that Microtower you have.  

 

EDIT - forgot to mention:

 

Max RAM per DIMM Slot is 4gb, max per motherboard is 16gb

Since you have an ATX form factor non proprietary PSU I would still suggest getting a new PSU.  Then you could get a better card than the 1050 ti.

 

If its the i5 2400 or better, you will be fine with GTA 5 @ 1080p - at minimum to run it at 1080p you need a 2gb GPU.

 

[balzer45]

265W is definitely not enough for a 1050ti let alone any desktop (biggest money saving technique for manufactures is getting the lowest wattage power supply for the build possible). I'd go for at least a 500W power supply and recommend a 650W. EVGA tends to be 'the best' for Nvidia cards in my opinion, though you'd probably be okay with either not sure on the dimensions of the asus one anyway. And yes no external power will be needed for those cards though i'd recommend finding a card that needs external power for that motherboard. Shouldn't be any issues with adding the ram as long as there are slots available and it's clocked at the same speed!

[Tristerin]

2 minutes ago, balzer45 said:

265W is definitely not enough for a 1050ti let alone any desktop (biggest money saving technique for manufactures is getting the lowest wattage power supply for the build possible). I'd go for at least a 500W power supply and recommend a 650W. EVGA tends to be 'the best' for Nvidia cards in my opinion, though you'd probably be okay with either not sure on the dimensions of the asus one anyway. And yes no external power will be needed for those cards. Shouldn't be any issues with adding the ram as long as there are slots available and it's clocked at the same speed!

Incorrect that motherboard is a 35w slot PCIE x16 slot.  See spec sheet below - will require additional power from the PSU to power anything 1050ti or better.

(page 19)

https://clascsg.uconn.edu/download/specs/O790.pdf

 

I should say, incorrect unless he replaces that PSU.  Than it wont matter. 

[GoldenLag]

3 minutes ago, Tristerin said:

Id only try this if its a Lite On branded PSU in that Microtower you have.  

Then again. Paying 30$ extra for a better PSU and a much better card is very much worth it if he has the cash. He could also do a used card plus PSU.

 

Say a mining gtx 1060 6GB or rx 580

 

Thdy shoild go between 100-120$ (you might find non-mining rx 580s if lucky at 120$)

[Tristerin]

3 minutes ago, GoldenLag said:

Then again. Paying 30$ extra for a better PSU and a much better card is very much worth it if he has the cash. He could also do a used card plus PSU.

 

Say a mining gtx 1060 6GB or rx 580

 

Thdy shoild go between 100-120$ (you might find non-mining rx 580s if lucky at 120$)

Ive done it is why I suggest it, there would be no issue for power delivery as long as he doesn't add a bunch of HDDs, ODDs, and power being pulled out of every USB slot anyhow lol - there wouldn't be harm especially if he is super budget oriented (see his PC he is upgrading...Im assuming so)

 

Lite On's are platinum rated - these are for large corporations, they cant afford to put in crappy PSU that can fail when on a PC swap program.

[GoldenLag]

1 minute ago, Tristerin said:

Ive done it is why I suggest it, there would be no issue for power delivery as long as he doesn't add a bunch of HDDs, ODDs, and power being pulled out of every USB slot anyhow lol - there wouldn't be harm especially if he is super budget oriented (see his PC he is upgrading...Im assuming so)

If he is super budget oriented then a new PSU (see ine suggested) + a used GPU is better. A rx 570/580 used for 120$ plus 50$ PSU (see suggested)  will cost the same as the gtx 1050ti (roughly)

[Tristerin]

Just now, GoldenLag said:

If he is super budget oriented then a new PSU (see ine suggested) + a used GPU is better. A rx 570/580 used for 120$ plus 50$ PSU (see suggested)  will cost the same as the gtx 1050ti (roughly)

Not disagreeing, just saying the cheapest upgrade is the one he has already proposed and will work as long as its Lite On and he daisychains the extra 6 pin off the PSU like I said.  Because on the same token you can get that PC he has for $120 (assuming i5 2400, can be found for $40 at local universities sometimes) and a used GTX 1050ti for $100 $6 cable and that's still the most cost effective GTA 5 playable PC with what he has (Im just staying in line with what the OP has asked - and agreed with ya each time )

[GoldenLag]

7 minutes ago, Tristerin said:

-snip-

Going with the tradition of other suggestions.

 

The PSU i siggested earlier for 50$ and a hd 7970 for between 50-70$. Its roughly 10-25% faster than the 1050ti. 

[BMR777]

Thank you everyone.

 

I'm confused, as Tristerin seems to say that the 1050 Ti cannot run off the power slot on the motherboard alone and needs an adapter, but balzer45's post says the card shouldn't require external power.  Am I missing something?

 

It sounds like the Rx 570 is a better card than the 1050 Ti, but would need external power.  I was Googling and saw there might be a BIOS issue with the Rx 570 and the Dell Optiplex?  Ever hear of anything like that?

 

Looks like either way I will be upgrading the PSU.

[GoldenLag]

2 minutes ago, BMR777 said:

It sounds like the Rx 570 is a better card than the 1050 Ti, but would need external power.  I was Googling and saw there might be a BIOS issue with the Rx 570 and the Dell Optiplex?  Ever hear of anything like that?

BIOS shouldnt care what card is in place. Like at all. So that shouldnt be a worry. Afaik at least

 

2 minutes ago, BMR777 said:

I'm confused, as Tristerin seems to say that the 1050 Ti cannot run off the power slot on the motherboard alone and needs an adapter, but balzer45's post says the card shouldn't require external power.  Am I missing something?

Normally a 1050ti can run of onboard power, but due OEM motherboard it wont work since it can only output 35 out of the normal 75 watts of power. Hence the requirement of external power through an adapternif it has the correct PSU. 

 

If you end up buying a new PSU then there is no point in buying the 1050ti due to the plentiful of better options. 

[BMR777]

6 minutes ago, GoldenLag said:

BIOS shouldnt care what card is in place. Like at all. So that shouldnt be a worry. Afaik at least

 

Normally a 1050ti can run of onboard power, but due OEM motherboard it wont work since it can only output 35 out of the normal 75 watts of power. Hence the requirement of external power through an adapternif it has the correct PSU. 

 

If you end up buying a new PSU then there is no point in buying the 1050ti due to the plentiful of better options. 

Thank you!  Makes sense, I'm going to see what other cards are available.  Any recommendations for cards that usually go for $140 - $180 that are better than the 1050 Ti that I should check out in addition to the Rx 570?

[GoldenLag]

1 minute ago, BMR777 said:

Thank you!  Makes sense, I'm going to see what other cards are available.  Any recommendations for cards that usually go for $140 - $180 that are better than the 1050 Ti that I should check out in addition to the Rx 570?

In that price bracket the rx 570 is the best pick. 

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Jy7v6h/xfx-radeon-rx-580-8gb-video-card-rx-580p427d6

 

At 180$ you can get this, though id geab the rx 570 i linked instead. 

 

You can also have a look for mining gtx 1070s. They will be miningcards but they should land within budget if yoj are lucky in your local region

[Tristerin]

2 hours ago, BMR777 said:

Thank you everyone.

 

I'm confused, as Tristerin seems to say that the 1050 Ti cannot run off the power slot on the motherboard alone and needs an adapter, but balzer45's post says the card shouldn't require external power.  Am I missing something?

 

It sounds like the Rx 570 is a better card than the 1050 Ti, but would need external power.  I was Googling and saw there might be a BIOS issue with the Rx 570 and the Dell Optiplex?  Ever hear of anything like that?

 

Looks like either way I will be upgrading the PSU.

There are two types of 1050 tis - those that require only power from the slot (slot most power 75w - your motherboard however only delivers 35w at the PCIEx16 slot) as 1050 ti with a single fan only need around 68w.  But larger PCB 1050ti's with more fans require more power than the slot can delivery or at least delivery without potential issues.  In comes using 2 x SATA to 6 pin or 1 x molex to 6 pin to deliver the correct amount of power (if SATA x 2 must use two different lines of power coming from PSU, let me know if you need more info on that).  Regardless your motherboard cannot power a 1050 ti unless it does have this extra power coming from the PSU, which in its current shape - can support when daisychained as said above.  Balzar doesn't or didn't know enough to post that information, should you have bought a 1050 ti of any type it would not run off that board without a diasychain as I said, above.

 

Also, your PSU is just enough to do this.  However should you want to replace it, (in the spirit of @GoldenLag)heres even a $20 PSU from Corsair on sale atm:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139201&ignorebbr=1

 

The RX 570 4gb is a faster card than the 1050 TI however requires more power no matter what.

EDIT - avoid the MSI Armor and MSI single fan variant of this card, its bad thermals you will be unhappy

 

The BIOS issue you speak of is some sort of legacy PCI slot thing you have to click in BIOS, I could look it up if you went that route.  Its just that it wont recognize the card until you do this little click in BIOS.

 

You technically should upgrade the PSU.

 

Also, if you can add an SSD - you will breathe a TON of life back into that PC.  

[BMR777]

13 hours ago, Tristerin said:

There are two types of 1050 tis - those that require only power from the slot (slot most power 75w - your motherboard however only delivers 35w at the PCIEx16 slot) as 1050 ti with a single fan only need around 68w.  But larger PCB 1050ti's with more fans require more power than the slot can delivery or at least delivery without potential issues.  In comes using 2 x SATA to 6 pin or 1 x molex to 6 pin to deliver the correct amount of power (if SATA x 2 must use two different lines of power coming from PSU, let me know if you need more info on that). 

Thank you.  So I will be looking at external power either way.  Do you know if the Rx 570 / 580 uses the SATA or Molex connector?  I don't really know much about the hardware connectors.

 

GoldenLag, thanks for the link to the 580.  I might go that route.  I have a few hundred to spend, but in the form of an Amazon gift card, so I'll have to decide what to do based on that.

 

I'm going to put an SSD in and get that speed boost as well.  Thanks!

[Tristerin]

1 hour ago, BMR777 said:

Thank you.  So I will be looking at external power either way.  Do you know if the Rx 570 / 580 uses the SATA or Molex connector?  I don't really know much about the hardware connectors.

 

GoldenLag, thanks for the link to the 580.  I might go that route.  I have a few hundred to spend, but in the form of an Amazon gift card, so I'll have to decide what to do based on that.

 

I'm going to put an SSD in and get that speed boost as well.  Thanks!

The RX 570 and 580 both require external power through what is called a 6pin PCIE or 8 pin PCIE power line coming off the PSU.  Example below:

(I mention Molex and SATA as your current PSU likely only has Molex or SATA - but I did look it up, looks like it has a 12v rail - basically a 6 pin, coming off it already to give you an idea.  Before purchasing your GPU make sure you know exactly how many - some need 1 or the other.  Some need 1 6 pin and 1 8 pin, some need 2 6 pin, some need 2 8 pin.  Im not SUPER versed on all the PCB layouts from the various makers but I know it can come like that.

 

Below is a pic of a 6 pin, or a 8 pin that can also 6 pin - some PSUs have both, or more than enough etc.  Or you can use adapters like pictured below (this is 2 x Molex to 8 pin) as well:

 

[BMR777]

5 hours ago, Tristerin said:

The RX 570 and 580 both require external power through what is called a 6pin PCIE or 8 pin PCIE power line coming off the PSU.

Thank you for the explanation and examples, it's really helpful.

[Tristerin]

2 hours ago, BMR777 said:

Thank you for the explanation and examples, it's really helpful.

My pleasure, hit me up if you need anything, Ive become quite adept at taking these refurbished proprietary micro towers and turning them into little beasts. 

[sonny boii]

I read all this, and I might get a dell optiplex 790, and I will just need a new Pcu for the RX 570 to work?