After our successful series of OptiPlex upgrade guides (7020, 7040), we’ve received numerous requests to tackle the OptiPlex 7050 series. Having spent time building various configurations of both the MT (Mini Tower) and SFF (Small Form Factor) variants, we can say these machines offer excellent value for budget gaming builds. The 7050 series (along with 5050 and 3050) provides several advantages over its predecessors, particularly in terms of CPU options.

With base units usually available for around $100, the OptiPlex 7050 has established itself as the current (2024) sweet spot for budget gaming PC builds in the OptiPlex lineup.

Base System Overview

The OptiPlex 7050, released in 2017, comes in two distinct form factors: Mini Tower (MT) and Small Form Factor (SFF). Both variants share the same basic platform, featuring Intel’s Q270 chipset and support for 6th and 7th generation Intel processors. In our testing, we’ve primarily worked with models featuring the Intel Core i7-7700, though you’ll find various CPU configurations in the refurbished market.

Key Specifications:

• Support for up to 64GB DDR4-2400 RAM across four DIMM slots
• Multiple storage options including M.2 NVMe support
• Comprehensive I/O including USB 3.0 Type-C
• Different GPU limitations based on form factor

Power Supply Considerations

In the OptiPlex ecosystem, the power supply represents the critical upgrade bottleneck for DIY gaming transformations. Dell’s proprietary form factors and connector designs intentionally restrict user modifications, turning PSU replacement into a strategic challenge.

For the 7050 series, this means proprietary mounting mechanisms that demand adaptation – whether it’s sourcing an SFX power supply with custom mounting or leveraging Dell’s own 360W proprietary PSU upgrade path. The power supply isn’t just a component; it’s the architectural gatekeeper that determines your entire upgrade potential, ultimately deciding whether a business desktop can become a capable gaming machine.

You will need 24-pin to 6-pin power adapter in order to use an aftermarket SFX PSU with OptiPlex 7050 MT.

Mini Tower (MT)

The MT variant comes with a 240W power supply by default, which, similar to the 7040 series, limits your GPU options. Through our testing, we’ve identified three potential upgrade paths, each with distinct trade-offs:

Stock 240W PSU Option

The most straightforward approach is keeping the stock power supply with GPUs that draw power solely from the PCIe x16 slot. This limits you to cards consuming 75W or less, but maintains the system’s original configuration. In our testing, GPUs like the GTX 1650 (non-powered variants) work perfectly in this setup, providing solid 1080p gaming performance without any power delivery modifications.

SFX Power Supply Upgrade

This represents the optimal path for serious gaming builds. By installing an SFX power supply with proper 6-pin and 8-pin PCIe power connectors, you can use any GPU that physically fits within the case dimensions. However, we’ve found that pairing GPUs more powerful than the RTX 3060 leads to noticeable bottlenecking with even the highest-end 7th gen processors. Keep in mind that starting with the xx40 OptiPlex series, Dell uses a proprietary 6-pin motherboard power connector. To ensure the PSU can deliver power, you will need a 24-to-6-pin power adapter.

For the SFX upgrade path, we’ve successfully tested these power supply models:

• Corsair SF600 (our top recommendation)
• Be Quiet! SFX-L Power 600W
• Cooler Master V450 SFX Gold

OptiPlex XE3 PSU Option

While technically possible to install Dell’s proprietary 300W or 360W PSU from the OptiPlex XE3, we don’t recommend this approach for the MT model. If you’re going to replace the PSU, the SFX option provides better value, wider GPU selection, and proper PCIe power connectors.

Installation Note: The mounting solution remains similar to the 7040 series – you’ll need to secure the PSU with two screws to the back panel. We’ve found that using rubber washers helps achieve a more stable fit, addressing the slight angle issue present in the 7040 installations.

Small Form Factor (SFF)

The SFF model ships with a 180W PSU. With this option, the OptiPlex 7050 SFF can only utilize GPUs drawing power exclusively from the PCIe slot – limiting graphics options to 75-watt models that require no additional 6-pin or 8-pin power connections.

However you can use OptiPlex XE3 300W or 360W power supply, with 6-pin PCIe power connector, to upgrade 7050 SFF. This is a game-changer for SFF builds, as it allows for more powerful low-profile GPU options.

When using the 360W PSU, you can safely use a 6-pin to 8-pin adapter to power more recent GPU models like the RTX 4060 in its low-profile variant.

GPU Upgrade Options

Mini Tower (MT)

You’ll need to carefully consider your graphics card selection as the case accommodates cards up to 9 inches (230mm) in length and 5.5 inches (140mm) in height.

These constraints, while limiting some high-end GPU options, still allow for a solid selection of mid-range gaming cards that align well with the system’s target performance.

Tested MT GPU configurations:

Small Form Factor (SFF)

The SFF model requires low-profile graphics cards, but there’s an important consideration regarding slot placement. The PCIe x16 slot is positioned close to the power supply, which limits you to single-slot cards in this position. However, there’s a workaround:

The PCIe x4 slot provides enough clearance for dual-slot low-profile cards. While this technically results in reduced bandwidth, our testing shows minimal impact on gaming performance at 1080p. We’ve measured the difference to be within 3-5% in most titles, making it a worthwhile trade-off for the ability to use more powerful cooling solutions.

Tested SFF GPU configurations:

Memory Upgrade

Both MT and SFF variants support up to 64GB of DDR4-2400 RAM across four DIMM slots. Based on our testing, these machines are less finicky about memory compatibility compared to the 7040 series. However, we still recommend using matched pairs for optimal performance.

CPU Upgrade Options

The Q270 chipset supports both 6th and 7th generation Intel processors. Our testing indicates that the Core i7-7700 provides the best performance-to-price ratio for gaming builds. However, if your unit comes with a Core i5-7500, the gaming performance difference may not justify the upgrade cost in most scenarios.

Storage Upgrade

Both variants support M.2 NVMe drives (PCIe 3.0 x4), and we’ve found this to be the most impactful upgrade for overall system responsiveness. Our recommended configuration remains consistent with our 7040 guide:

• 500GB NVMe SSD for OS and frequently played games
• 2TB HDD for media storage and game library

The MT version offers more flexibility with additional drive bays, while the SFF version is more limited but still accommodates both an M.2 drive and a 3.5″/2.5″ drive combination.

Real-World Gaming Performance

In our testing with a fully upgraded system with OptiPlex 7050 MT with a Core i7-7700,  RTX 3060 (12 GB), 16 GB of DDR4-2400 RAM, and a resolution of 1920x1080:

The did also SFF test on OptiPlex 7050 SFF with a Core i7-7700,  RTX 3050 (8 GB), 16 GB of DDR4-2400 RAM, and a resolution of 1920x1080:

Conclusion

The OptiPlex 7050 series, along with the 5050 line which follows the same upgrade path, represents an excellent platform for budget gaming builds. The MT version offers more flexibility and raw performance potential, while the SFF version, particularly with Dell’s proprietary PSU upgrades, provides surprisingly capable gaming performance in a compact form factor.

For those considering this upgrade path, we recommend:

MT Build:

• SFX PSU upgrade (Corsair SF600)
• Mid-range GPU (RTX 3060 class or similar)
• 16-32GB DDR4-2400 RAM
• NVMe boot drive

SFF Build:

• Dell 360W PSU upgrade
• Low-profile GPU (RTX 4060 LP or similar)
• 16GB DDR4-2400 RAM
• NVMe boot drive

The 7050 series addresses many of the power delivery limitations we encountered with the 7040 series, making it an even more attractive option for budget gaming builds. The ability to use Dell’s proprietary higher-wattage PSUs in the SFF model is particularly noteworthy, as it opens up possibilities for more powerful GPU options in the compact form factor.