Dell Optiplex 9010 - i7 and 16GB memory... Need "less expensive" video card for gaming. Any suggestions?

[S. Pupp]

I’ve had both the GT1030 and GTX1050 Ti. The latter is far more useful for gaming, and worth the extra bucks.

[Lew Zealand]

tl;dr: I've done this with a Nvidia 1050Ti. Optiplex 9010 MT i7, 8GB memory.


This *all* depends on the power supply. I would not even entertain the idea of using an HDD to 6-pin or 8-pin connector. These cheap OEM power supplies are simply not built to handle that kind of power draw. If you want to replace the PS, do your homework as you may need custom adapter cables to the Dell Mobo. IMO not worth the $ on an old used machine.

The RX580 is out, don't even think about it as it takes too much power. IMO same goes for the 1660, though it's considerably more power efficient (I own a 1660 Super in a gaming PC).

In reality if you are spending on adding a card into an older system like this, you want a slot-power card only, no extra connectors. Here are those cards:

Nvidia 1650 (*not* 1650 Super as it's not a slot-power model)
Nvidia 1050Ti
Nvidia 1050
Nvidia 1030
Nvidia 750Ti
AMD RX 560
AMD RX 460

Not all 1650s and 1050Tis are slot power only! Some have an additional power cable to enable higher power draw and performance. Do your homework to avoid those models.

The 1650 is best, but pricey.
The 1050Ti is almost as pricey and somewhat slower than the 1650.
The 1050 can come in at a cheaper price and trails the 1050Ti.
The 1030 is notably slower but sips power. *avoid the DDR3 version*
The 750Ti is a much older model and sits between the 1050 and 1030.
The 560 sits between the 1030 and 1050 in performance
The 460 is just below the 560, still above the 1030

IMO a used 1050 or 1050Ti from eBay is a great match for this machine. I have no personal familiarity with the AMD GPUs, just where they fit in this hierarchy of slot power GPUs.

[spacescape]

Thanks for everyone's input. I decided on the GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1050 Ti OC Low Profile 4GB Video Card, GV-N105TOC-4GL from newegg.com ... The machine is really pretty quick just needed a better video card.

https://www.newegg.com/gigabyte-geforce-...6814125952

[Lew Zealand]

Great choice! Enjoy!

[Filliam H. Muffman]

Good luck. Please let us know how it works.

[spacescape]

Will do. Looks like even if we get a better computer we can sell the video card and get some $$$$ back. Just trying to keep the wife and kids happy while being "locked down".

[sunfalcon]

That will be a nice machine!!

[spacescape]

Wow, the GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1050 Ti really woke up that computer!!! His buddy was teasing him that "you can't play games on a desktop computer". Probably his father said that... ha ha. Explained to my son that this is an i7 with 16GB of memory used in our engineering department. Just needed to wake up a little bit. This was not a cheap computer when we ordered it. Wasn't for gaming... But, now it is.

Oh, and I downloaded the drivers from Nvidia versus the drivers from Gigabyte. Do you guys agree with that?

Thanks!!!

[sunfalcon]

I'd use the drivers directly from nVidia. Have fun fraggin'!!