optiplex 330 - Graphics upgrade

[michael8t6]

Hi,

 

Looking for a bit of advice, I have a Dell Optiplex 330 and for the last few years she's held her ground pretty well. I want to treat myself to a new graphics card that supports dual monitor displays for Christmas as I do a lot of graphic designs in multiple programs and flicking between all of the Adobe apps is becoming annoying. I also do a bit of light gaming from time to time and the onboard graphics really fail at this! 

I've been looking at this thread: 

 and the gtx 650 looks like a good choice and pretty much the limit for this mobo. However, it's only 1gb, ideally, I'd like to get one with at least 2gb memory.

So before I commit to buying the gtx 650, does anyone know of a card that has 2gb memory? I am limited on space, this is what the user manual says: 

 

Height: 3.476" 
Length: 6.6" 

[3 Lions]

1 minute ago, michael8t6 said:

does anyone know of a card that has 2gb memory?

1050

[michael8t6]

3 minutes ago, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

1050

Cheers for the suggestion. Do you know if this will fit? 

Specs say the length is 7 inches so might not fit or be a very tight squeeze! I'm limited to 6.6 inches length. 

[Crunchy Dragon]

Just now, michael8t6 said:

Cheers for the suggestion. Do you know if this will fit? 

Specs say the length is 7 inches so might not fit or be a very tight squeeze! I'm limited to 6.6 inches length. 

It'll probably be really tight. If you need to, break out some power tools and cut some space into your case for it to fit.

[3 Lions]

1 minute ago, michael8t6 said:

Cheers for the suggestion. Do you know if this will fit? 

Specs say the length is 7 inches so might not fit or be a very tight squeeze! I'm limited to 6.6 inches length. 

This could fit...

 

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/G3H48d/zotac-geforce-gtx-1050-2gb-mini-video-card-zt-p10500a-10l 

[michael8t6]

1 minute ago, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

This could fit...

 

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/G3H48d/zotac-geforce-gtx-1050-2gb-mini-video-card-zt-p10500a-10l 

You sir are a genius, thank you. I was looking at the standard version, had no idea there was a mini version. 

[michael8t6]

2 minutes ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

It'll probably be really tight. If you need to, break out some power tools and cut some space into your case for it to fit.

haha bit of DIY never hurt anyone  

[Crunchy Dragon]

1 minute ago, michael8t6 said:

haha bit of DIY never hurt anyone  

Unless you're really inept with a drill

 

I created another 120mm fan mount inside my Diablotek Diamond case for my H55 with some L shaped brackets, a drill, and some screws and nuts I had laying around the house, took maybe 10 minutes if that.

 

[doomsriker]

12 minutes ago, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

This could fit...

 

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/G3H48d/zotac-geforce-gtx-1050-2gb-mini-video-card-zt-p10500a-10l 

I really don't think that will have enough Clarence. I have a similarly sized dell PC and nothing over single slot or half length will fit. I would recommend one of these depending on your budget.

 

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-GTX-1050-2GT-LP/dp/B01N6NI5X6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1513363325&sr=8-5&keywords=gtx+1050ti+low+profile

 

https://www.amazon.com/MSI-GTX-1050-TI-4GT/dp/B01N2W8MJ9/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1513363387&sr=8-1&keywords=gtx+1050ti+low+profile

 

https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Profile-Graphic-02G-P4-6333-KR/dp/B071LGVBDM/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1513363436&sr=1-2&keywords=gtx+1030+low+profile

 

But measure your case with a tape measure or ruler and check it against the description on Amazon before ordering just to be safe. 

[doomsriker]

ok, I do actually have a 330 on hand so I did some quick testing with a hd 4890 for scale.as you can see, low profile cards like the installed gt 430 work fine but bigger cards like the 4890 will not fit in the case. 

 

 

[doomsriker]

Also, if you don't already have a quad core installed, a core 2 quad q8400 is 10$ on ebay and should be compatible with the motherboard. Also, make sure you have a minimum of 4gb of ram for gaming. 2x2gb DDR2 kits is going for around 20-30$ on ebay right now. 

[michael8t6]

9 minutes ago, doomsriker said:

Also, if you don't already have a quad core installed, a core 2 quad q8400 is 10$ on ebay and should be compatible with the motherboard. Also, make sure you have a minimum of 4gb of ram for gaming. 2x2gb DDR2 kits is going for around 20-30$ on ebay right now. 

Cheers for taking the time to check the case! 

Funnily enough, I have just looked into the q8400! When I first got the mobo it would only support a dual-core, which I've already got a 3.0ghz dual core E6850 installed so may be time to upgrade that aswell! 

I've already got 4gb ram installed, however, doing a bit more research and some people have also managed to get versions off win7 enterprise edition and above on a 64bit install running on 8gb of ram aswell. Starting to look like the old girl may have more life left in her than previously thought. 

Currently tossing between two graphics cards now aswell. 

This one that you posted: https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Profile-Graphic-02G-P4-6333-KR/dp/B071LGVBDM/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1513363436&sr=1-2&keywords=gtx+1030+low+profile

and the one that Linus posted: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/G3H48d/zotac-geforce-gtx-1050-2gb-mini-video-card-zt-p10500a-10l 

I don't mind making some mods to the case if it doesn't fit. However, the one you posted is slightly cheaper and means no modding so leaning more towards that.
 

[doomsriker]

1 minute ago, michael8t6 said:

Cheers for taking the time to check the case! 

Funnily enough, I have just looked into the q8400! When I first got the mobo it would only support a dual-core, which I've already got a 3.0ghz dual core E6850 installed so may be time to upgrade that aswell! 

doing a bit more research and some people have also managed to get versions off win7 enterprise edition and above on a 64bit install running on 8gb of ram aswell. Starting to look like the old girl may have more life left in her than previously thought. 

Currently tossing between two graphics cards now aswell. 

This one that you posted: https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Profile-Graphic-02G-P4-6333-KR/dp/B071LGVBDM/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1513363436&sr=1-2&keywords=gtx+1030+low+profile

and the one that Linus posted: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/G3H48d/zotac-geforce-gtx-1050-2gb-mini-video-card-zt-p10500a-10l 

I don't mind making some mods to the case if it doesn't fit. However, the one you posted is slightly cheaper and means no modding so leaning more towards that.
 

I have windows 10 running flawlessly on there with 4gb of ram, so I would not worry too much about compatibility. 

[doomsriker]

5 minutes ago, doomsriker said:

I don't mind making some mods to the case if it doesn't fit. However, the one you posted is slightly cheaper and means no modding so leaning more towards that.
 

Honestly even with extreme over clocks after winning the silicon lottery, a higher TDP model of those cards with a bigger cooler might afford you around a 15% performance bump. Not worth the case modding or lack of a side panel if you ask me. Besides air flow limitations in the small form factor 330 make an overclock like that  less obtainable at acceptable tempters.  

[michael8t6]

3 minutes ago, doomsriker said:

I have windows 10 running flawlessly on there with 4gb of ram, so I would not worry too much about compatibility. 

I had win 10 installed when they was rolling it out for free, but had a lot of driver issues. I sell stuff on eBay and am constantly printing out shipping labels. Upgraded to win 10 and could not get my printer to work for the life of me! So rolled back to win 7. 

Just checked the specs for some of the games I enjoy playing and recommended is 4gb, so may just stick to the 4gb I have. 

[doomsriker]

Just now, michael8t6 said:

I had win 10 installed when they was rolling it out for free, but had a lot of driver issues. I sell stuff on eBay and am constantly printing out shipping labels. Upgraded to win 10 and could not get my printer to work for the life of me! So rolled back to win 7. 

Just checked the specs for some of the games I enjoy playing and recommended is 4gb, so may just stick to the 4gb I have. 

not a bad idea 4gb is usually good enough.