New CPU/GPU for Dell Optiplex 390

[Benjamin123]

Hi everyone,

I have been looking up about getting a replacement for my existing CPU which is an Intel Core i5 (Version: 2400) and upgrading to the new Intel Core i5 4460 which does support HD better for what I needed, such as movies and gaming (I only need up to 60FPS).

But other than that, I have been looking either at a portable GPU. The GPU is called a Zotac GeForce GTX 960 4GB (from NVidia). I just want to know if this will fit and will it work well with my PC?

I just want to know if the new Intel Core i5 4460 will fit in the Optiplex 390's motherboard, the same for the Zoatac GeForce GTX 960 4GB GPU.

But I would be interested to see what you have come up with any other CPU/GPU recommendations for this Dell Optiplex 390 Desktop.

Many thanks,

Ben

 

[RoasterMen]

Because the optiplex comes in three form factors, which one is it? The Desktop ones? or the smaller one?

Anyways, to be able to upgrade to a Haswell processor you'll need a new motherboard aswell (Those with H81 chipset will do). The Zotac GTX 960 will work provided you have enough juice from the PSU to be able to supply the graphics card

 

[Benjamin123]

I have a Dell Optiplex 390 Desktop (big tower, as shown below this post).

Also, do you think the Zotac GTX 960 will work as for the Intel Core i5 4460 - I'll have to buy a new motherboard which I don't want to. So are you asking me that the Zotac might be a better choice to do with my videoing and gaming and keep the existing CPU which can be used to the existing display ports on the back of my PC?

Picture of my PC:

 

[RoasterMen]

Okay, the graphics card will work with your computer.

As for the processor upgrade, that is a haswell processor and the Z97 does not support sandy bridge architecture. The i5-4460 will also work in a Z87 or H81 chipset motherboard with a BIOS update. Your current processor will not bottleneck the GTX 960.

 

[Benjamin123]

Ok that's cool, I have just been looking at these Zotac GTX 960 GPU and I have found some good deals, so I might think about buying it soon. It also support the latest ports such as Displayports, which it will be good.

The existing CPU will stay in to function and can be only used only when I am plugging the ports in to the PC's motherboard, the CPU could be faster without any ports plugged to the motherboard (I might not be correct with this)

The Zotac GTX 960 GPU is a nice small GPU for what I needed hopefully for my videoing and gaming and it wont get as hot.

 

[AddRAM]

If your cpu is a Sandy Bridge, then you have to stick with a Sandy Bridge.

But you can certainly upgrade it with a 2600 or a 2600K, the Sandy Bridge is one of the best CPU`s that Intel has ever made, in my opinion.

You can find one on Ebay.

But your motherboard has to support the 2600 or 2600K, you`ll have to find the specs sheet and upgrade sheet online.

Intel 2600 | eBay

The video card you picked out will work fine, as long as you have a PCI-Express slot.

 

[Mellon Head]

Something to keep in mind as you search for a new processor. Make sure that it is supported by the current motherboard. Some OEM computers lock the motherboard into only accepting one model of CPU (HP does this quite a bit) and you can't change it to another model. This is done in BIOS. That's why it's very important to check your manuals and/or the Dell support site (as AddRAM mentioned) to make sure that your PC can accept a different processor before you buy.

 

[Benjamin123]

In reply of AddRAM & Mellon Head,

AddRAM - Thank you for your recommendations and I will quickly look in to this. My CPU is a Intel Core i5 2400 (Sandy Bridge). But'll have a look, as I have found the dell instructions manual - I have found a page where you can see what's on the motherboard and I guess I have one PCI-Express port to put in my GPU.

Mellon Head - I know they do that, I find it frustrating. But I had a Compaq (as HP) 100-125ea PC which it had AMD and I tried switching to an Intel Core i5 CPU, but it wasn't worth it as like you said, it can't be changeable.

So what do you think it's better for me to go for, a CPU or a GPU? I just can't decide too much otherwise It'll go wrong! :/

 

[RoasterMen]

I was just lucky with my HP a6540d. Manual says it only supports E7000 series C2D's and I installed an E8600 and it worked fine. You can keep the CPU and get the GPU.

 

[Benjamin123]

Hello guys,

I have just ordered a MSI NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 (2GB of GDDR5). Now, I am just thinking that I bought a graphics card from a different company and not Zotac, do you think MSI do have like very good products and do you think the service is positive?

More about of my new graphics card here: https://eu.msi.com/Graphics-card/GTX-960-2GD5T.html#hero-overview

PS: Thank you for all of your recommendations and I hope this graphics card will run well and it will not perform any slow video and games (especially when editing videos, would be cool if in 4K).

Just a worried thought is that it might not fit in my Dell Optiplex 390 (tall tower), but don't worry - I have spare PCs which hopefully does the job for it.

Many thanks,

Ben

 

[RoasterMen]

MSI's good no doubt about that. That card is good for video editing 4k videos too and I won't bother playing games at 4k resolution with it.

 

[Benjamin123]

That's good, but I am not sure that it might fit in the Optiplex 390's motherboard. I just seen the motherboard on Google Images to get the idea.

Many thanks,

Ben