Dell Optipplex 790 SFF . Graphics

[Mr_Gamecase]

Dell Optipplex 790 SFF in general

Hi all ,

Ive got my Dell Optiplex 790 all set up and running Yosemite 10.10 perfectly but i would like a graphics card for the system instead of the Intel HD3000.... Want to play a few games that the graphics can't handle...


Got any ideas? for a top range card for this system that OS X will support ?...


My System :- http://www.dell.com/uk/business/p/optiplex-790-sff/pd

 

[Adrian B]

The Dell 790 SFF supports the Intel Q65 chipset:
http://www.cnet.com/products/dell-optiplex-790/specs/
http://www.intel.co.uk/content/www/uk/en/chipsets/mainstream-chipsets/q65-express-chipset.html

Which as you can see supports up to PCI Express 2.
That will limit you to a GT630 with a low profile to fit the SFF case. http://www.geforce.co.uk/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gt-630

Its not a gaming spec computer - its really designed for simple office work as most Dell branded machines are used for only this purpose. Don't waste your money getting anything wild - the PSU will not support it and most Dells use a different wiring spec for the power supplies so you cannot upgrade them from another manufacturer.

I have two Dell Optiplex machines so I do not recommend spending much more than £50 on a GPU for one of these.
If you wish to build a gaming machine then best look to the latest buyers guide for inspiration.
http://www.tonymacx86.com/446-building-customac-buyer-s-guide-october-2014.html

 

[Mr_Gamecase]

Hi Adrian B,

This system is my company computer, i have no intentions in turning this into a games pc, I just play a couple of games on it that require a little bit more than a HD3000 GPU.

If i were to buy this :------> http://www.cclonline.com/product/81...lit-GeForce-GT-630-2GB-Graphics-Card/VGA0642/

Would this be surface? / Compatible ?.... Obviously need to get the half height bracket

 

[Adrian B]

Hi Adrian B,

This system is my company computer, i have no intentions in turning this into a games pc, I just play a couple of games on it that require a little bit more than a HD3000 GPU.

OK - thats fine. I saw the GT740 & GTX 970 listed in your profile and was a bit concerned that you might have had higher expectations.

If i were to buy this :------> http://www.cclonline.com/product/81...lit-GeForce-GT-630-2GB-Graphics-Card/VGA0642/

That one looks OK, here is another that is passively cooled from Scan - its wider in width though:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2gb-evga-geforce-gt-630

Use GraphicsEnabler=Yes option in MultiBeast, you will find it under 'Customize'

Would this be surface? / Compatible ?.... Obviously need to get the half height bracket

Sorry I am not understanding surface? / Compatible?

 

[Mr_Gamecase]

Sorry I am not understanding surface? / Compatible?

Sorry I am not understanding surface? - Means, Would it be ok

i wil have a look at the card tonight and hopefully order it Thank you for the help



Oh While were on the subject of hardware, i have laying around an old iMac bluetooth card
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-BCM94...US_Internal_Network_Cards&hash=item19eee2f571

if i were to get a ngff - mini pcie / mini pcie - pcie x1 adapter would i be able to get this working in the machine ?... the pie x1 would be on a flexi raiser lead to reposition the card

 

[Adrian B]

Sorry I am not understanding surface? - Means, Would it be ok

i wil have a look at the card tonight and hopefully order it Thank you for the help

It should work just fine. There are always exceptions but they seem to be very rare.

Oh While were on the subject of hardware, i have laying around an old iMac bluetooth card
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-BCM94...US_Internal_Network_Cards&hash=item19eee2f571

if i were to get a ngff - mini pcie / mini pcie - pcie x1 adapter would i be able to get this working in the machine ?... the pie x1 would be on a flexi raiser lead to reposition the card

Yeah probably work really well - Tony posted pictures of a similar one earlier and there is a couple of threads with people ordering pre assembled cards from the UK, USA and China.
http://www.tonymacx86.com/yosemite-...emite-handoff-capable-bluetooth-adapters.html
http://www.tonymacx86.com/network/1...-bcm94360cd-pcie-adapter-mallaid-toabaco.html
http://www.tonymacx86.com/members/tonymacx86/albums/handoff-phone-call-yosemite/

 

[Mr_Gamecase]

Hi, Adrian,

Sorry to be a pain ... id like to install clover to get iMessage working but i can't get the UEFI part of it to work .. my bios can't see the partition / boot file.

Would you know why / how to fix it as you mentioned in a post of mine you have a couple of dell machines?.

i click to add a boot loader in my UEFI bios and it just crashes?

 

[Adrian B]

Hi, Adrian,

Sorry to be a pain ... id like to install clover to get iMessage working but i can't get the UEFI part of it to work .. my bios can't see the partition / boot file.

Would you know why / how to fix it as you mentioned in a post of mine you have a couple of dell machines?.

i click to add a boot loader in my UEFI bios and it just crashes?

Does your Dell machine have a UEFI BIOS? If it does then you need to follow the top picture in 'Step 4 Post-Installation' options.

The selection Install boot0af in MBR is for BIOS only systems. It is shown in the lower picture.

 

[Mr_Gamecase]

The dell optiplex 790 has the UEFI

i have followed the uefi install section of the clover install but i have no avail trying to get it to boot ... just a black screen,

when i go into the boot options i tell it to boot uefi, i have tried to manually add the boot file but i get a crash in the uefi bios its self when i select the efi directory, would you know the manual address i can enter to get it to boot?..

 

[Adrian B]

The dell optiplex 790 has the UEFI

i have followed the uefi install section of the clover install but i have no avail trying to get it to boot ... just a black screen,

when i go into the boot options i tell it to boot uefi, i have tried to manually add the boot file but i get a crash in the uefi bios its self when i select the efi directory, would you know the manual address i can enter to get it to boot?..

I haven't installed with Clover since ~ February 2014 - so I am a little rusty and need to refer to the guide. Did you use the config.plist-Standard.zip?

I did create my installation on Haswell hardware - although it does boot and run on my old Dell Optiplex 760 machines. Audio and ethernet do not work obviously.

Suggest that you write up a detailed post in Yosemite desktop support under 'Dell Optiplex 790 SFF Clover install' - leave a link here - If I think of anything then I will comment, but you are probably best throwing it open to the community.