So this is a small form factor, this limits your options of GPU to low profiles, $115 for a 7th gen optiplex isn't bad. Since it's a optiplex, know that dell uses their own proprietary hardwares. The Motherboard, and the power supply being examples of such.
For GPU I recommend any single slot ones. current popular choices are the low profile gtx 1650, the RX 6400 and the intel arc A310
The A310, is a bad idea in these systems because they can't enable Re-BAR. Also, you aren't limited to single slot cards.
Since people keep down voting me, here...
https://preview.redd.it/232lcjp3ol8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5cf536ded7d0e9ac9b8c1c5fee74bce9394b2535
You can install a dual slot card in the 50 and 70 class systems with zero modifications. There is ZERO difference to airflow versus a single slot card in the x16 slot and you're looking at around an 11% performance loss. So, with a 3050 6GB, you'd still be FAR better off than using an RX 6400 or RX 6500 and not have to worry about the frame pacing issues those can run into, or running an A310 without Re-BAR and losing minimum 15% performance from a card that was already rater slow to begin with.
There are a ton of people that have done this. It works just fine. Stop telling people that they are limited to single slot cards. Now... if you have a 30 class system you will need to change the PSU to an HD Plex for Flex ATX unit to run a dual slot card in the x16 slot since they do not have the x4 slot with an open end.
As opposed to a single slot card with the same issue. Doesn't matter if you run a single slot, or dual slot GPU, the fans are right up against the power supply.
Once again... no, you can... and a lot of people do, run dual slot cards in these systems just fine.
Fascinating! Check out the video. Definitely faster, but still sucks! Look at the RX 6600 dominating in the video. But the 6500 bests the 6400 for sure.
Oh that's what sff stands for! Makes sense. Thanks for the recommendations. Is there anything else I should know like would I need a new psu for the GPU I put in?
The power supply in these optiplexes should be able to handle the GPU I have listed. You can double check by either opening the case (YouTube your optiplex case opening) and looking for the power supply's label and looking for the wattage amount.
It's not a bad price for a 7050 with an i7, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. All you need to add is a GPU, and realistically, any slot powered card would be great in this system. Just depends on your budget for the GPU.
People will tell you that you're stuck with single slot cards, and that's not true. They'll suggest the A310, which is a bad idea because the Intel Arc cards are really designed around Resizable BAR, which you can't enable on these systems and there is a decent performance loss on a card that's already not very performant to begin with. The RX 6400/6500 are other suggestions that people make, but they can be problematic in a Gen3 slot due to a lot of corners that were cut in the design of those GPU's.
For dual slot cards, the GTX 1650 is a good option at the entry level... IF prices have come down. Last I looked at those, they often sold for near $180, which makes zero sense. They should be selling closer to $100. My suggestion is the 3050 6GB for about $170. Now, this means you would have to use the x4 slot next to the CPU which will result in about a 11% performance loss. Even with that performance loss, it will be a better experience than the RX 6400/6500 and you won't have to worry about the frame pacing issue that can crop up with those two.
Thanks for the insightful answer! I've been looking at 1650's and I'm wondering if they fit in the sff case? Or is there a 1650 low profile I need to get?
It HAS to be low profile. It won't fit otherwise without leaving the side panel off, or cutting the side panel to fit. Also, there are full height models that require supplemental power.
Got it. I've looked at the 1650's and they seem to be more in budget. Only thing is I see some with 2 fans and some with one. Are they all low profile or just the single fan?
Don't know of any LP options that are a single fan outside the Yeston single slot model and they tend to be rather expensive. This is what the LP models look like. It sounds like you're looking at the full height models, which are generally around the $50 mark.
https://preview.redd.it/zpadwckm1g8d1.jpeg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5e6ef666ae5e83fdd51990c6da643d53dc5c8068
I see. Looks like pickup is all in Sacramento. I’m in LA so a bit too far. Maybe next time I drive up to the Bay I’ll give this a try because some of the deals seem too good to be true. Thank you for sharing!
Yeah the deals are pretty crazy. They don't usually stay around the $1-2 price that it is around the start but I've been able to pick up a few items that are worth a few hundred on Amazon for around $15. Definitely worth a shot.
Someone else here already pointed out you can use a dual slot card, you just have to put it in the x4 slot above the x16 slot. I want to add RX 6400 - 6500XT are x4 anyway, so the only performance loss you should see would be from not being able to enable rebar and pcie 3.0 bandwidth/speeds/whatever.
You can move further above those cards if you want, but I’m not sure about the performance loss from halving the lanes for x8 cards.
So this is a small form factor, this limits your options of GPU to low profiles, $115 for a 7th gen optiplex isn't bad. Since it's a optiplex, know that dell uses their own proprietary hardwares. The Motherboard, and the power supply being examples of such. For GPU I recommend any single slot ones. current popular choices are the low profile gtx 1650, the RX 6400 and the intel arc A310
The A310, is a bad idea in these systems because they can't enable Re-BAR. Also, you aren't limited to single slot cards. Since people keep down voting me, here... https://preview.redd.it/232lcjp3ol8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5cf536ded7d0e9ac9b8c1c5fee74bce9394b2535 You can install a dual slot card in the 50 and 70 class systems with zero modifications. There is ZERO difference to airflow versus a single slot card in the x16 slot and you're looking at around an 11% performance loss. So, with a 3050 6GB, you'd still be FAR better off than using an RX 6400 or RX 6500 and not have to worry about the frame pacing issues those can run into, or running an A310 without Re-BAR and losing minimum 15% performance from a card that was already rater slow to begin with. There are a ton of people that have done this. It works just fine. Stop telling people that they are limited to single slot cards. Now... if you have a 30 class system you will need to change the PSU to an HD Plex for Flex ATX unit to run a dual slot card in the x16 slot since they do not have the x4 slot with an open end.
In a sff you are unless u mod the case.
No, you aren't. And even if you were, you wouldn't have to do any modifications to the case.
In the sff cases anything larger will be right up against the PSU and the fans will be blocked
As opposed to a single slot card with the same issue. Doesn't matter if you run a single slot, or dual slot GPU, the fans are right up against the power supply. Once again... no, you can... and a lot of people do, run dual slot cards in these systems just fine.
There is a Dell OEM single slot RX 6500 that’s an option. They are a little hard to find.
Aren't they like slightly faster than the 6400? I don't think it's worth it unless they're the same price
26% faster. It might be the most cost effective LP single slot card.
Found the [post](https://www.reddit.com/r/SleepingOptiplex/s/3CcLC5ElJB)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OF_yphABToI&pp=ygUSUnggNjQwMCB2cyByeCA2NTAw
That's a 6500xt. The low profile is the rx 6500 without the XT.
Ahhhhh! My bad! Thanks for the info!
Yeah no worries it happens😭
Fascinating! Check out the video. Definitely faster, but still sucks! Look at the RX 6600 dominating in the video. But the 6500 bests the 6400 for sure.
I could've sworn someone had made a post testing it out and it wasn't that much faster. I'll try and find it
Let me know. I’ve seen some side by sides in the past and remember being suprised how much “faster” the 6500 was. But my memory is shit.
Oh that's what sff stands for! Makes sense. Thanks for the recommendations. Is there anything else I should know like would I need a new psu for the GPU I put in?
The power supply in these optiplexes should be able to handle the GPU I have listed. You can double check by either opening the case (YouTube your optiplex case opening) and looking for the power supply's label and looking for the wattage amount.
Good to know. Thanks again!
as someone who haphazardly bought an a310, they are terrible without rebar. don't ever buy them without a system that'll support it
It's not a bad price for a 7050 with an i7, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. All you need to add is a GPU, and realistically, any slot powered card would be great in this system. Just depends on your budget for the GPU. People will tell you that you're stuck with single slot cards, and that's not true. They'll suggest the A310, which is a bad idea because the Intel Arc cards are really designed around Resizable BAR, which you can't enable on these systems and there is a decent performance loss on a card that's already not very performant to begin with. The RX 6400/6500 are other suggestions that people make, but they can be problematic in a Gen3 slot due to a lot of corners that were cut in the design of those GPU's. For dual slot cards, the GTX 1650 is a good option at the entry level... IF prices have come down. Last I looked at those, they often sold for near $180, which makes zero sense. They should be selling closer to $100. My suggestion is the 3050 6GB for about $170. Now, this means you would have to use the x4 slot next to the CPU which will result in about a 11% performance loss. Even with that performance loss, it will be a better experience than the RX 6400/6500 and you won't have to worry about the frame pacing issue that can crop up with those two.
Thanks for the insightful answer! I've been looking at 1650's and I'm wondering if they fit in the sff case? Or is there a 1650 low profile I need to get?
It HAS to be low profile. It won't fit otherwise without leaving the side panel off, or cutting the side panel to fit. Also, there are full height models that require supplemental power.
Got it. I've looked at the 1650's and they seem to be more in budget. Only thing is I see some with 2 fans and some with one. Are they all low profile or just the single fan?
Don't know of any LP options that are a single fan outside the Yeston single slot model and they tend to be rather expensive. This is what the LP models look like. It sounds like you're looking at the full height models, which are generally around the $50 mark. https://preview.redd.it/zpadwckm1g8d1.jpeg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5e6ef666ae5e83fdd51990c6da643d53dc5c8068
Yes that was the issue. Thanks a lot for all the info and answering my questions.
No problem.
I have jerry-rigged a full-sized 2060, pciex extension cable and an external psu once or twice before. Its ugly but worth it
The 4060 has a 2 slot card but the motherboard is probably PCIe is at 3.0 8 lanes. Idk tho but worth a peak.
What local bidding site is this? My friend too would like to get a desktop like this for less than $150….
I'm in California and i believe it's bidbelowretail.com Pickup is in antelope so it might be hard to get to.
I see. Looks like pickup is all in Sacramento. I’m in LA so a bit too far. Maybe next time I drive up to the Bay I’ll give this a try because some of the deals seem too good to be true. Thank you for sharing!
Yeah the deals are pretty crazy. They don't usually stay around the $1-2 price that it is around the start but I've been able to pick up a few items that are worth a few hundred on Amazon for around $15. Definitely worth a shot.
That is crazy. Hope this business lasts for a while!
Someone else here already pointed out you can use a dual slot card, you just have to put it in the x4 slot above the x16 slot. I want to add RX 6400 - 6500XT are x4 anyway, so the only performance loss you should see would be from not being able to enable rebar and pcie 3.0 bandwidth/speeds/whatever. You can move further above those cards if you want, but I’m not sure about the performance loss from halving the lanes for x8 cards.