Budget Video Card recommendations
Recommended video card, on a budget.
I have a Dell Optiplex 7010. I5 processor, and I've put 16GB of RAM in it.
This system is low profile, and doesn't have anything more than stock power supply.
I'd like to give this to my kid to use until they can afford the buy their own computer.
Is there a budget video card that will allow this system to play games? Doesn't have to be great (Running on lower settings is fine, as long as it's playable.)
Bartender_1
I have a Dell Optiplex 7010. I5 processor, and I've put 16GB of RAM in it.
This system is low profile, and doesn't have anything more than stock power supply.
I'd like to give this to my kid to use until they can afford the buy their own computer.
Is there a budget video card that will allow this system to play games? Doesn't have to be great (Running on lower settings is fine, as long as it's playable.)
Bartender_1
As a general rule business machines do not happy gaming rigs make.
What sort of games do they have in mind?
Let's assume you have the stock i5 3470 3.2GHz with Intel Graphics
If this is the smallest of the case sizes you're a bit stuck in that the USFF board doesn't have the PCIe-x16 slot found on the Mini Tower and standard desktop. So fingers crossed you have the middle-sized one!
What sort of games do they have in mind?
Let's assume you have the stock i5 3470 3.2GHz with Intel Graphics
If this is the smallest of the case sizes you're a bit stuck in that the USFF board doesn't have the PCIe-x16 slot found on the Mini Tower and standard desktop. So fingers crossed you have the middle-sized one!
You say it is low profile - is it the small form factor one with the long narrow power supply down the side? If so, you will be severely limited by the upgrade options due to wattage restrictions. Depending on what kind of games he wants to run, he may be fine with the RAM and current system. If he's wanting to play the latest/greatest stuff, this won't cut it no matter what you do.
Do you know what games he wants to play?
Do you know what games he wants to play?
Ah yes ... low profile. Depending on how much clearance there is in the case you may be forced into a low profile video card. There are not many low profile cards and all of them are on the low end of the performance spectrum. The Radeon HD5450 or HD6450 are available in low profile and do not require external power.
The limiting factor is your PSU...you just have to read its wattage...
I am pretty sure that your machine can support a low profile 1050 ti ...but the wattage of your psu is crucial...if its around 300 then it would be just fine as 1050 draws around 75W at most which almost every PSU can handle it.
I am pretty sure that your machine can support a low profile 1050 ti ...but the wattage of your psu is crucial...if its around 300 then it would be just fine as 1050 draws around 75W at most which almost every PSU can handle it.
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If this is the SFF then the GT 1030 card is probably the one to get.
This one https://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GeForce-GV-N1030D5-2GL-Computer-Graphics/dp/B071DY2VJR at Amazon is the one I have for my SFF Optiplex 780. Draws 30 watts from the PCI Express slot and is a short low profile card. Make sure that any GT 1030 card you get has GDDR5 memory and NOT something else. You can probably get a more powerful card BUT your PSU is only rated at 240 watts and you could be pushing the PSU.
This one https://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-GeForce-GV-N1030D5-2GL-Computer-Graphics/dp/B071DY2VJR at Amazon is the one I have for my SFF Optiplex 780. Draws 30 watts from the PCI Express slot and is a short low profile card. Make sure that any GT 1030 card you get has GDDR5 memory and NOT something else. You can probably get a more powerful card BUT your PSU is only rated at 240 watts and you could be pushing the PSU.
https://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-210/specifications
That card is pretty reasonable on a budget. It's not a hard hitting power draining card and I've installed them in several low wattage low profile Lenovo systems for people playing video games and doing flight simulators.
Here is a link to 1GB version on Amazon, but there are 2gb versions as well, depending on what you want to spend.
https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Passive-Graphics-01G-P3-1313-KR/dp/B00498305G?th=1
That card is pretty reasonable on a budget. It's not a hard hitting power draining card and I've installed them in several low wattage low profile Lenovo systems for people playing video games and doing flight simulators.
Here is a link to 1GB version on Amazon, but there are 2gb versions as well, depending on what you want to spend.
https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Passive-Graphics-01G-P3-1313-KR/dp/B00498305G?th=1
look at one of the less expensive Nvidias or Radeons. The HD6750 would be a decent choice without pulling a lot of power. This will provide low-end gaming capability.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/27386/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=radeon+6750+-parts+-asis+-%22as-is%22+-unknown&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=15&LH_TitleDesc=0
Note: When looking at used graphics cards, be 100% sure that the card matches up with the monitor you have. DisplayPort is ideal, HDMI is good, DVI is obsolescent, VGA smears for anything over 1024x768 resolution.