Hey folks! I just snagged a Dell Inspiron 3668 desktop for $80, and I'm looking to upgrade it with a decent GPU that will work well with what I have. Here are the current specs:
- Processor: i7 7700
- RAM: 32 GB DDR4 Crucial
I know I need to upgrade the PSU since 240 watts isn't going to be sufficient for a better GPU, but I'm uncertain whether I also need to replace the motherboard to get a good graphics card. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
You might want to look for the 70W version of the RTX 3050, which has 6GB of VRAM. It doesn't perform as well as the 8GB versions, but it draws less power and could plug right into your current system without the need for a supplemental power connector. Check out your local second-hand market; you might find one for a good price!
You'll likely have a tough time upgrading the PSU in Dell prebuilts like yours without using some weird adapters or mods. Standard PSUs might not fit, and it's possible that the motherboard won't work in a DIY case. If you really want to keep the current setup, a 3050 6GB could work since it needs no external power and should run fine on your 240W PSU. Just double-check that it'll fit in your case!
I was considering switching everything to a larger case to simplify the PSU upgrade. By the way, my RAM speed is 16 GB DDR4-2400. Any thoughts on that?
You basically got a killer deal on that 32 GB of DDR4 RAM for just $80. By the way, even if you could swap in a new motherboard and PSU, the i7 7700 isn't the best choice for gaming these days, especially since it's not officially supported on Windows 11 and Windows 10 will lose official support soon. Just keep that in mind as you plan your upgrades!
Yeah, I'm on Windows 10 for gaming with friends mostly, but I hear you about the support situation. Might need to rethink my long-term plans!
This is spot on. A low-power 3050 or a similar GPU that doesn't need extra power should fit your setup nicely. The Dell PSUs, while not high wattage, usually provide decent quality, so you should be safe to push it close to the limit. Have a look at the Radeon RX 6400 too; it's another viable option.