Looking for a little advice on gpu’s. I am currently running a AMD Rx550 pcie gpu(via HDMI) with the integrated Intel graphics(via DisplayPort)from the Ivy Bridge architecture for my Dell Optiplex 7010 DT which requires the gpu to be low profile. I am considering investing in a Nvidia GTX 1650 with 2 hdmi and I DisplayPort to replace my current setup. I am running this on 2 identical Scepter 28" Curved screens. I run NixOS with hyprland. Not a huge gamer im just tired of the limits of DisplayPorts
You probably want a turing or newer GPU if you’re going with nvidia, the 1000 series older GPUs (but 1650/1660 are apparently already turing) won’t be getting any of the in-flight improvements. I wouldn’t be surprised if driver support for them is dropped altogether within the next year or two given that nvidia seem to want to switch to the open (but still third-party) kernel driver across the board and older GPUs will not be supported by that initiative.
It’s also worth thinking about whether you even want to buy into nvidia right now, their GPUs tend to be expensive for what you get and Linux driver support has been consistently awful (read: flickering, boot problems, tty switching glitches, complete failures on kernel updates, …) for decades since they refuse to implement a mesa driver. Even if their recent expanse into the datacenter space appears to be driving improvements here, we’re likely still many years away from in-kernel nvidia support.
The main reason to buy nvidia is CUDA support and raytracing performance. If you don’t care about those, and you’re not trying to buy a 4090, AMD will provide better performance for cost without the nightmare that is nvidia’s third party kernel module.
That said, if you like playing with stable diffusion, definitely still worth thinking about CUDA…
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I think I might have a game plan instead of buying a new gpu, I invest in cpu memory and storage and use my integrated graphics for both monitors since my desktop is more a server than anything else.
Complete Upgrade Plan with Storage Expansion and Display Adapters
Current System Specifications
• CPU: Intel i5-3470
• Memory: 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3 1600 MT/s
• GPU: AMD Radeon RX 550 (considering removal)
• Integrated Graphics: Two onboard DP 1.1 ports via Intel
• Storage: Samsung 870 EVO 1TB SSD
• Additional Devices: Bluetooth USB adapter, 256GB flash drive plugged in 24/7, PCIe Asus WiFi card
Recommended Upgrades
1. Upgrade CPU to Intel Core i7-3770
• Cost: $100 - $150
• Benefits:
• Significant boost in processing power with 4 cores and 8 threads.
• Improved handling of multi-threaded applications and services (e.g., Plex, MySQL).
• Approximately 20-30% performance increase over the i5-3470.
2. Upgrade RAM to 32GB
• Cost: $100 - $150
• Benefits:
• Increased multitasking capabilities.
• Faster performance in memory-intensive tasks (e.g., Plex server, databases).
• Future-proofing to handle increasing memory demands over time.
3. High-Capacity PCIe Storage Using a SATA Expansion Card and HDD
• PCIe SATA Expansion Card:
• Cost: Approximately $20 - $40
• Benefits: Adds multiple SATA ports, allowing connection of additional drives.
• Seagate IronWolf Pro 6TB HDD:
• Cost: Approximately $150 - $200
• Capacity: 6TB
• Speed: 7200 RPM
• Interface: SATA 6Gb/s
• Benefits: Large storage capacity, reliable for continuous operation.
4. Active DP to HDMI Adapters and HDMI Cables
• Cable Matters Active DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter:
• Cost: Approximately $20 - $30 each (Total for 2: $40 - $60)
• Benefits: Supports 1080p at 60Hz, ensuring stable and high-quality connections for dual monitors.
• 12 Feet HDMI Cables:
• Cost: Approximately $10 - $15 each (Total for 2: $20 - $30)
• Benefits: Adequate length for connecting monitors in most setups, ensuring flexibility in monitor placement.
Budget Breakdown with DP to HDMI Adapters and HDMI Cables
Upgrade Component Cost Range (Min - Max) Total Cost (Selected)
Intel Core i7-3770 CPU $100 - $150 $150
32GB RAM (2x16GB DDR3) $100 - $150 $150
PCIe SATA Expansion Card $20 - $40 $40
Seagate IronWolf Pro 6TB HDD $150 - $200 $200
2x Active DP to HDMI Adapters $40 - $60 $60
2x 12 Feet HDMI Cables $20 - $30 $30
Total Cost $430 - $630 $500
Implementation Plan
1. Purchase Upgrades: Select and buy the components based on the detailed budget plan.
2. Install Upgrades: Follow installation guides or seek professional help if needed.
3. Configure System:
• CPU and RAM: Install and configure in BIOS if necessary.
• HDD with PCIe SATA Card: Install the PCIe SATA card, connect the HDD, format, and configure in your operating system for Plex usage.
• Active DP to HDMI Adapters and HDMI Cables: Connect the adapters to the onboard DP ports and use the HDMI cables to connect the monitors.
• Plex Configuration: Set up Plex to use the new HDD for media storage.
Conclusion
By following this plan, you can upgrade your Dell Optiplex 7010 DT to handle large 1080p and 4K video files on your Plex Media Server within your $500 budget. This ensures your system is well-equipped for local and remote streaming, maximizing both storage capacity and system performance. The addition of the active DP to HDMI adapters and long HDMI cables ensures a reliable and flexible monitor setup.
The 1650 is turing and is listed as supported.
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Whoa, good spot. GPU naming is delightfully confusing.
For the moment I am ordering 2 DP to HDMI cables and will use both on my integrated Intel graphics for now. Sure it’s DP 1.1, but I can remove my current gpu and it will be all on one adapter