I have a Dell OptiPlex 7020 Small Form Factor with an Intel Core i5-4590, 10GB of DDR3 memory, Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, a Dell 00V62H A01 motherboard, and roughly a 255W power supply. I have always used integrated graphics, so I'm considering a low-profile RX 6400 because it fits the case and does not require an external power connector. I'm also thinking about upgrading to an i7-4790, increasing the memory to 16GB or more, and installing a 500GB SATA SSD. I don't currently earn much and may resell items to fund the project, so I want to complete the upgrades within about two years. What should I prioritize, and is this a sensible upgrade path?
3 Answers
The low-profile RX 6400 is a suitable physical fit and should work with the stock power supply, but I would install the SSD first. A SATA SSD will make Windows and everyday use feel dramatically faster. After that, upgrade the memory to at least 16GB, then add the graphics card. A 480GB or 500GB SATA SSD is a good balance, and you can clone your existing drive instead of reinstalling everything.
I would be cautious about spending much on the i7-4790. It is the realistic CPU limit for this platform, but the improvement over the i5-4590 is mostly extra threads, and the old motherboard and DDR3 memory cannot carry over to a newer build. The SSD and graphics card can be reused later, while DDR3 and the fourth-generation i7 generally cannot. Check your current memory layout before buying: the system has four slots, and mixed capacities are usually fine as long as you use standard unbuffered DDR3 rather than registered server memory. Also track what you spend on each part so you can price future resales accurately.
One drawback of the RX 6400 is that it uses a PCIe x4 connection. In this older system’s PCIe 3.0 slot, it will have less bandwidth than it was designed for. A used low-profile GTX 1650 can be a better match because it uses an x16 connection and also normally runs without an external power cable. If the 1650 is difficult or expensive to find where you live, the RX 6400 is still a practical option.
I’m in the Dominican Republic, so finding an RX 6400 locally is already very difficult. I’ll compare whatever low-profile cards I can actually find instead of relying only on online prices.