I recently snagged an old HP Z230 SFF workstation for just €30 and I'm gearing up to convert it into a light gaming PC. However, I'm not certain if upgrading the GPU is worth it due to space and power limitations. Here are my specs:
- CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 (3.3 GHz)
- RAM: 16GB DDR3 (4x4GB)
- Storage: 120GB SSD
- PSU: 240W (no spare PCIe connectors)
- Current GPU: NVIDIA GT 730 2GB
I'm aiming to use this setup mainly for homelab projects in networking and sysadmin, but I'm also considering some light gaming. I want to play less demanding titles like The Witcher 3 and modded Minecraft on 1080p, without needing to crank the settings. My main concern is that I only have about 18cm of clearance for a new GPU and my PSU doesn't offer extra power connectors. Can anyone suggest budget-friendly GPU options that fit these requirements? Or should I just focus on using it as a homelab and save up for a bigger PC?
3 Answers
Honestly, with your power supply constraints, you might want to stick to something simpler like the GTX 1050 Ti or the borderline RX 640. They’re pretty decent for lighter gaming and should fit the budget, plus they don’t require additional power connectors.
The GeForce RTX 3050 has low-profile variants that could work for you, and it’s definitely powerful enough for gaming at 1080p. I found a video where someone managed to fit it in a similar workstation. Just make sure the length fits; some models are close to your clearance limit.
That's good to know! I saw the same video and they had some great tips. I'll keep an eye out for a decent deal.
For your setup, I’d suggest looking at the RX 6400 as a solid option. It's low profile and should fit easily while providing decent performance. The RX 640 is another lower-end choice if you’re really pinching pennies. Just keep in mind your PSU limitations; with 240W, you need to stick to cards that don’t require a lot of extra power.
Thanks! I’ll definitely check out the RX 6400. Have you had any luck finding them used?
Great tip! I hadn’t considered the GTX 1050 Ti. I’ll look into that one as well.