Considering constructing yet another machine...perhaps replacing the video card...reflections...
Considering constructing yet another machine...perhaps replacing the video card...reflections...
All,
I have an old Dell machine (Intel I7 CPU/16GB/SSD) with a GTX745 graphics card that came with it when I bought it new about ten years ago. I also own a makeshift build from scrap, featuring a BIOSTAR A880GZ motherboard and an AMD FX 8350 CPU with 16GB RAM. It runs Lubuntu 25.04 and uses its built-in video. The motherboard and CPU were my son’s, and I found it in a closet, thinking why not.
I’m considering increasing the RAM to 32GB in the Dell and adding a 1050Ti graphics card as the final configuration. If possible, I’d swap the GTX745 into the BIOSTAR A880GZ/AMD FX 8350 board, which should boost its video performance. The main challenge is that the GTX745 uses PCI Express 3.0 x16, while the BioStar A880GZ only supports PCI Express 2.0 x16. The other two slots are PCI-only. The GTX745 and 1050Ti should work together since both are PCI Express 3.0 x16.
Will the BioStar A880GZ be compatible with the GTX745?
Provided there are no restrictions from the video card's firmware, it should function perfectly since PCIe maintains full backward compatibility. A device offering such performance will operate smoothly with PCIe 2.0 bandwidth.
It seems you have a clear idea of your setup. You're considering the 1050Ti, which you already own, and wondering if there are other graphics options worth exploring. The budget is around $40-60 for used models, and you'd like them to fit on an older desktop tower. Let me know if you need more details!
On older systems, there are really limited affordable choices available. The 1050 Ti seems to be the top option, provided the PCIe port has sufficient power.
Today the PC is operating Lubuntu 25.04. As a former Microsoft student, I possess a Windows 10/11 license, though I've always preferred running Lubuntu on it. The machine serves as a web browser, office applications (Excel/Word), light software development (web/scripting - my main rig handles my daily tasks), and I use it for retro game emulation.
I'm currently utilizing it to write this message and rely on it almost every day for my electrical workbench helper. The workbench is mainly used for web browsing, watching YouTube videos, data preservation (Disk pulls attached to a Kryoflux setup I've built), and CD/DVD ripping services I recently started. I've also connected it to an oscilloscope occasionally. Additionally, I've burned several EPROMs.
The unit is advertised as expandable up to 32 GB, but it's currently at 16 GB. It features a Kingston SSD (500GB) and a 2TB HDD. The SSD serves as my primary operating drive. Lag occurs only during graphic-heavy tasks. Typically, I have 15 to 20 web pages open and Excel (LibreOffice Calc) running simultaneously.
I understand it's not a high-performance machine, but for the purposes I have, it functions perfectly. I believe upgrading to a GTX745 would significantly improve performance, and the card would otherwise remain unused.
I've replaced similar older machines with workstation Quadro cards. These can be found on eBay at reasonable prices since they weren't meant for gaming. You'll need to be cautious and select a model with power close to a 1050Ti. Verify your PSU has the right PCIe power connectors (if needed) and can handle the additional power requirements.