Looking for recommendations of graphic cards for Dell OptiPlex 7010

[Uitlander]

I just bought a used Dell Optiplex 7010 Mini-Tower, Quad Core i7 3770 (3.4GHz), 16GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1TB Hard Drive: Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit. Should be here in couple weeks, and I want to start looking for a graphics card for the PCI-e x16 slot. It has to have VGA connector, fit the case, and run off the onboard power supply (265 W active PFC / 100 - 240 V AC). All the card has to do is let me watch online movies, TV shows, and some Youtube videos without stuttering or freezing....maybe I may decide to do some work with GIMPshop on the Win 7, or GIMP on the MX Linux. Note: I will be installing a Syba mobile-rack in the spare 5.25 bay, which allows use of both an SSD for the MX Linux, and spare hard disk for bare-metal backups.

Anyway, I could use recommendations of graphics cards that meets the three requirements. The more choices the better. Thanks.

 

[Assimilator]

You are aware that the i7-3770 has onboard graphics, right? That will almost certainly cover what you want to do?

 

[Uitlander]

You are aware that the i7-3770 has onboard graphics, right? That will almost certainly cover what you want to do?

Yes I'm aware, but onboard graphics let me down twice before on two other PCs, so I prefer to have a Plan B ready, in case it's three strikes time. If it works, then I will not have to get a graphics card. If not, I prefer to use this time (while I wait for the PC to arrive) to figure out what I will need, and where to get it. From the research I have done so far, it is obvious this will not be an easy or quick task. I prefer to avoid the DVI/Displayport to VGA adapters, so I need a card with an actual VGA port. That means a legacy card after the AGP era, but before the DVI/Displayport/HDMI stuff took over. It then has to fit the case, be an improvement over the integrated graphics, and run off the weak power supply.

 

[Frick]

Why just not a DVI-VGA dongle? The GT1030 will be good, if you want an actual VGA port it's like a GT730 (which is a rebranded GT430).

 

[Assimilator]

Yes I'm aware, but onboard graphics let me down twice before on two other PCs, so I prefer to have a Plan B ready, in case it's three strikes time. If it works, then I will not have to get a graphics card. If not, I prefer to use this time (while I wait for the PC to arrive) to figure out what I will need, and where to get it. From the research I have done so far, it is obvious this will not be an easy or quick task. I prefer to avoid the DVI/Displayport to VGA adapters, so I need a card with an actual VGA port. That means a legacy card after the AGP era, but before the DVI/Displayport/HDMI stuff took over. It then has to fit the case, be an improvement over the integrated graphics, and run off the weak power supply.

What does "let me down" mean? Generally if the iGPU fails, the CPU is dead and you have a bigger problem.

If you are still using a VGA monitor, you are best off looking for a similarly ancient graphics card off Ebay. However you'll probably find that cards with VGA that fit this chassis, and likely your budget, are slower than the HD 4000 graphics integrated into the 3770.

The OptiPlex 7010 comes in a variety of chassis, we're going to need to know which one you have in order to advise you regarding graphics card physical sizing. Pictures (including of the inside) would help, as would any of the power supply (i.e. whether it has any supplementary power connectors). I'll also need a photo of the PCIe slot on the motherboard because I have a sneaking suspicion that its power output is not what the PCIe spec says it should be.

 

[dgianstefani]

GT 1030 + Displayport-Dvi

But seriously just use integrated graphics.

 

[Valantar]

I squeezed a custom 350W PSU and an RX 570 into my Optiplex 990 SFF, but that was for a bit more strenuous use than yours (and required significant modifications). For your use I would think the Ivy Bridge iGPU would be perfectly fine. If not, then get a GT 1030 and whatever adapters you might need for your display. Anything lower end than that isn't worth wasting money on. At least the 1030 has a somewhat modern video decode block.

 

[Assimilator]

Peeps, OP needs VGA output. Most GT 1030s have a DVI-I output not DVI-D, which means they don't support analog signals, which means a DVI-to-VGA adapter won't work. So no GT 1030, unless OP can find a unicorn like this: https://www.zotac.com/us/product/graphics_card/zotac-geforce-gt-1030-2gb-gddr5-hdmi-vga-low-profile

Besides, considering OP's budget is likely lower than the floor since they're buying an eight-year-old second-hand Dell, a GT 1030 is almost certainly out of reach. I'd wager something like this https://www.ebay.ca/itm/NVIDIA-GEFO...I-i-VGA-GRAPHICS-CARD-DELL-FH75P/203030598573 is more down their street.

Ah, this is what I was talking about: reference page 19 of https://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/optiplex_7010_technical_guidebook.pdf - notice the "maximum wattage" is the standard 75W for the mini-tower (MT), but only 50W for the other models. It also provides the size constraints for a GPU that needs to fit into the system, although it doesn't specify the number of slots the card can be. Considering the MT board has 4 slots, you could probably fit a card with a dual-slot cooler in there, although I certainly wouldn't recommend it.

 

[Valantar]

Peeps, OP needs VGA output. Most GT 1030s have a DVI-I output not DVI-D, which means they don't support analog signals, which means a DVI-to-VGA adapter won't work. So no GT 1030, unless OP can find a unicorn like this: https://www.zotac.com/us/product/graphics_card/zotac-geforce-gt-1030-2gb-gddr5-hdmi-vga-low-profile

Besides, considering OP's budget is likely lower than the floor since they're buying an eight-year-old second-hand Dell, a GT 1030 is almost certainly out of reach. I'd wager something like this https://www.ebay.ca/itm/NVIDIA-GEFO...I-i-VGA-GRAPHICS-CARD-DELL-FH75P/203030598573 is more down their street.

Ah, this is what I was talking about: reference page 19 of https://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/optiplex_7010_technical_guidebook.pdf - notice the "maximum wattage" is the standard 75W for the mini-tower (MT), but only 50W for the other models. It also provides the size constraints for a GPU that needs to fit into the system, although it doesn't specify the number of slots the card can be. Considering the MT board has 4 slots, you could probably fit a card with a dual-slot cooler in there, although I certainly wouldn't recommend it.

There are DP or HDMI to VGA adapters out there that generally work fine. Agree on the budget issue, but is a GT 530 really any better than the iGPU?

 

[Assimilator]

There are DP or HDMI to VGA adapters out there that generally work fine. Agree on the budget issue, but is a GT 530 really any better than the iGPU?

Apparently yes! Although it's still a case of a potato with racing stripes versus a potato without - they're still both potatoes at the end of the day.

Yes, OP could do far better in terms of hardware, but the overall impression I've got is that they really don't want to. As such, trying to convince them to move outside their comfort zone is likely to do nothing but frustrate them, which doesn't help anyone, so I'm not going to do that.

 

[Frick]

Peeps, OP needs VGA output. Most GT 1030s have a DVI-I output not DVI-D, which means they don't support analog signals, which means a DVI-to-VGA adapter won't work. So no GT 1030, unless OP can find a unicorn like this: https://www.zotac.com/us/product/graphics_card/zotac-geforce-gt-1030-2gb-gddr5-hdmi-vga-low-profile

That was the model I was looking at, I thought DVI-D was standard.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I can find images of people putting in RX580s into their 7010

 

[Assimilator]

That was the model I was looking at, I thought DVI-D was standard.

That one doesn't even have DVI...

I can find images of people putting in RX580s into their 7010

Yeah, after changing the PSU. Which OP isn't interested in doing.

 

[JustAnEngineer]

DVI-I = DVI-D with DVI-A.
DVI-A = Analog VGA on extra pins in the DVI connector.
There's no significant drawback to connecting a VGA analog device to a DVI-I port using a $5 passive adapter (free if you have a pile of them because they used to be included with almost every graphics card) or an $8 DVI-A to VGA cable (which has the advantage of being a bit more compact at the back of the PC).

With the wimpy Dell power supply, you want to limit yourself to a graphics card that pulls less than 100 watts. Cards under 75 watts don't need a 6-pin PCIe power connection (which would save you another $6 for a SATA to PCI-e power adapter).

 

[Valantar]

Apparently yes! Although it's still a case of a potato with racing stripes versus a potato without - they're still both potatoes at the end of the day.

Yes, OP could do far better in terms of hardware, but the overall impression I've got is that they really don't want to. As such, trying to convince them to move outside their comfort zone is likely to do nothing but frustrate them, which doesn't help anyone, so I'm not going to do that.

The OP didn't need 3D performance though, and nothing there tells me it has a better video decode block than the iGPU. I guess it would be slightly faster for GPU-accelerated applications, but as you say, it's a potato racing against a potato with racing stripes. The reasons I would go with the 1030 are value (you're not likely to pay much less for a 530), the modern encode/decode block, longevity (likely to be useful for light tasks much longer due to not already being a decade old, among other things it supports much newer video codes, driver support, etc.), and the option of getting one with a warranty. As long as there's a single option with a DVI-I (or it can use one of the many simple HDMI-VGA adapters I've used - I have no idea how they work, but I've used one both on my Intel 8th gen work laptop and an RX 570, which is all-digital) that would be my choice.

 

[Assimilator]

DVI-I = DVI-D with DVI-A.
DVI-A = Analog VGA on extra pins in the DVI connector.
There's no significant drawback to connecting a VGA analog device to a DVI-I port using a $5 passive adapter (free if you have a pile of them because they used to be included with almost every graphics card) or an $8 DVI-A to VGA cable (which has the advantage of being a bit more compact at the back of the PC).

With the wimpy Dell power supply, you want to limit yourself to a graphics card that pulls less than 100 watts. Cards under 75 watts don't need a 6-pin PCIe power connection (which would save you another $6 for a SATA to PCI-e power adapter).

Ugh, I always get -D and -I confused.

 

[kiriakost]

These days even my self, I would avoid recommending as compatible solution the AMD HD5000 series and the excellent HD5770.
AMD proven unreliable in drivers support, therefore NVIDIA solutions are my newest choice.

 

[Caring1]

Ugh, I always get -D and -I confused.

I used to also, until I made myself remember D is for Digital, that only leaves Analogue for the I, which is interpolated I believe.

 

[Valantar]

I used to also, until I made myself remember D is for Digital, that only leaves Analogue for the I, which is interpolated I believe.

Integrated.

 

[JWMiddleton]

I just bought a used Dell Optiplex 7010 Mini-Tower, Quad Core i7 3770 (3.4GHz), 16GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1TB Hard Drive: Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit. Should be here in couple weeks, and I want to start looking for a graphics card for the PCI-e x16 slot. It has to have VGA connector, fit the case, and run off the onboard power supply (265 W active PFC / 100 - 240 V AC). All the card has to do is let me watch online movies, TV shows, and some Youtube videos without stuttering or freezing....maybe I may decide to do some work with GIMPshop on the Win 7, or GIMP on the MX Linux. Note: I will be installing a Syba mobile-rack in the spare 5.25 bay, which allows use of both an SSD for the MX Linux, and spare hard disk for bare-metal backups.

Anyway, I could use recommendations of graphics cards that meets the three requirements. The more choices the better. Thanks.

I recently got an OptiPlex 7010 DT, the SFF version, that my BiL gave me. I bought an AMD Radeon HD 7570 (actually a Dell branded version) on Ebay for $20. It has DP and DVI-I ports. I used the free DVI to VGA adapter @JustAnEngineer mentioned. I liked the system so well that I ordered a 7010 MT, like you did. In my spare parts bin I had a Thermaltake 430 Watt PSU and a GTX950 I was going to install in it.

Well, they shipped a 7020 MT, which none of that stuff would work in without some mods. Since it has a 290 Watt PSU and supplies 75 watts to PCIe slot, I bought a GTX 1650 GDDR6. It works like a charm and I'm using it now.

Even though I didn't get what I ordered, I got a 2 year newer system with a 4th Gen CPU all for $133 shipped + tax. So, I'd suggest waiting until you get the box to see what you need.

John