Best video card for Dell Optiplex 330

Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
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I have an old Dell Optiplex 330 that is in need of a cheap video card to make it a moderately decent gaming computer mostly for older games that aren't terribly demanding.

The computer has an E7200 CPU and 4GB of RAM. It used to have an ATI HD5670 that was sufficient for just about everything the computer is used for, but the video card is starting to get frequent errors so it needs to be replaced.

The primary requirements are:
As inexpensive as possible. Around $50 would be great. A bit more is OK for something significantly better.
No external power connection since (I believe) the 305Watt Dell PSU doesn't have them. I'll check the PSU to verify this when I'm near the computer
Dual display (can be VGA or DVI) since I use two screens for non-gaming work.
 

nwo

Platinum Member
Jun 21, 2005
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A used/refurb/open box Radeon 7750 should do the trick. Will be a nice upgrade within the $50 price range, capable of dual display, low power, no external power connector required. Power draw should also be similar to the 5670.

If you're looking for something new, a Radeon 240 with GDDR5 should be comparable, and there is currently a nice deal on it for only $60 after MIR

Here is a nice review/benchmark/comparison of the R240, R250, Radeon 6670, 7750, 7770, and a few other cards in that price range. As you can see, 7750 clearly takes the cake and it would be the best replacement for you. However, it is worth mentioning that the R240 has only 30W power consumption which shouldn't really be a factor since you already know that you can run a 5670 and a 7750 has a lower power consumption than a 5670.
 
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nwo

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Jun 21, 2005
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5570, 5670, 7750, or 750 / 750 ti.

750 and 750Ti would be overkill and also way over the OP's budget. Sounds like 5670 is plenty for OP's current usage. And besides, 750 and 750Ti would probably be bottle-necked by his CPU if you were to do any sort of gaming on a T7200. Heck, even a 5670/7750 is too much for that CPU if you ask me. A 2GHz C2D is really slow for anything but the basic usage.
 

Insomniator

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2002
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What games exactly?

A 240 is probably the best option in the new range for 50 bucks and if its just old source games or something... would be perfect. Go for the GDDR5 version of course.

Used, probably better option available.
 

Essence_of_War

Platinum Member
Feb 21, 2013
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a 240 is a horrible gaming card.

Compared to what? An R9 290 circa $400? Yeah, obviously it's terrible compared to that.

The question wasn't "Name a great gaming card"

The question was "What's a solid gaming card in the $50ish range that doesn't require any additional power connectors?"

And with those constraints, the R7 240 listed above are solid entry level choices.
 

toyota

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
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Compared to what? An R9 290 circa $400? Yeah, obviously it's terrible compared to that.

The question wasn't "Name a great gaming card"

The question was "What's a solid gaming card in the $50ish range that doesn't require any additional power connectors?"

And with those constraints, the R7 240 listed above are solid entry level choices.
Of course I'm not comparing it to the 290. Its just a poor card for gaming and that's a fact. Being that he can only afford something like that does not change that fact. I guess it will do fine for older games and that's mostly what he wants to play but its still not even going to do well in some of those.
 

Blue_Max

Diamond Member
Jul 7, 2011
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Can that machine use a dual-slot video card? I have a very similar Optiplex that can't.

You might want to check... if it doesn't have an empty slot above the video card (BTX design) then make sure your new card is only a single-slot card.

Your PSU also does NOT have a 6-pin power connector, so the Radeon 7750 or Geforce 750 (and TI) are the fastest you can get without power connectors.
 

nwo

Platinum Member
Jun 21, 2005
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a 240 is a horrible gaming card.

I agree. But horrible for an ancient 2GHz dual core? No, I'd say it's a good match. Also, the OP mentioned playing old games, in which case a 240 would suffice. Used 7750 would be a much better choice though.
 

Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
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Can that machine use a dual-slot video card? I have a very similar Optiplex that can't.

You might want to check... if it doesn't have an empty slot above the video card (BTX design) then make sure your new card is only a single-slot card.

Your PSU also does NOT have a 6-pin power connector, so the Radeon 7750 or Geforce 750 (and TI) are the fastest you can get without power connectors.

You are correct that the PSU does not have a 6-pin power connector. I didn't think so, but wasn't able to check until now.

There is some space above the PCI-E slot, but there isn't another actual 'card slot' opening, so if the card would need a second opening above the PCI-E slot, that wouldn't work. Thank you for the suggestion to check!

The 7750 looks like a pretty nice card. A bit above my budget but maybe worth it for the significant increases in power over what has been suggested here as the next option (the R7 240).

Edit: $30 for the R7 240 makes it a definite possibility! Not as powerful as the 7750, of course, but for 1/3 of the price that's hard to pass up unless I can find a 7750 closer to $50 (all I've found so far are around $100+). Thanks, nwo!
 
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nwo

Platinum Member
Jun 21, 2005
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Would that card play D3 on an E5200 CPU, on a 1080P monitor?

Not sure about the CPU, I'd say you will get lag in high density areas.... but the 240 should give you at least 30-40 fps on low settings at 1080p.