Help Me Choose: Video Card
The graphics solution in your PC transforms video data from your system into the image you see on the monitor. It plugs in to the system’s motherboard and decodes and processes the video signal. The quality of the images users will see on your OptiPlex™ systems largely depends on the combination of graphics solution and the monitor you choose.
Integrated Graphics (Basic Solution)
An integrated graphics solution shares resources with the system’s central processing unit (CPU) and memory to display information on the screen. Integrated graphics are capable of processing some 3D images. However, since they share resources with the processor and the system memory, they sometimes deliver a less-than-optimal experience.
Discrete Graphics (High-End Solution)
Discrete graphics utilize a Graphics processing unit (GPU) that is separate (or discrete) from the system’s processor, as well as a dedicated graphics memory. Because this solution does not burden the CPU and system memory, the overall system performance may significantly be better with separate graphics when you run applications that use complex images.
Dual Discrete Graphics Options
Optional dual-graphics configurations on OptiPlex 790 and 990 allow two graphics cards to work together to use up to four monitors to help expand available desktop space.
Integrated Graphics (Basic Solution)
An integrated graphics solution shares resources with the system’s central processing unit (CPU) and memory to display information on the screen. Integrated graphics are capable of processing some 3D images. However, since they share resources with the processor and the system memory, they sometimes deliver a less-than-optimal experience.
Discrete Graphics (High-End Solution)
Discrete graphics utilize a Graphics processing unit (GPU) that is separate (or discrete) from the system’s processor, as well as a dedicated graphics memory. Because this solution does not burden the CPU and system memory, the overall system performance may significantly be better with separate graphics when you run applications that use complex images.
Dual Discrete Graphics Options
Optional dual-graphics configurations on OptiPlex 790 and 990 allow two graphics cards to work together to use up to four monitors to help expand available desktop space.
Overview
| If you want ... | Choose ... |
| A graphics solution designed for advanced photo and video editing, graphic design and financial modeling | A high-end graphics solution |
| A graphics solution designed for presentations, spreadsheets and rich media | A mid-range graphics solution |
| A graphics solution designed for basic Internet, email, word processing and light graphics applications | Integrated Graphics |
Recommendations
| Integrated ATI Radeon™ HD 4200 | Integrated Intel® GMA 4500 | Integrated Intel® Graphics HD 2000 | 256MB ATI Radeon HD 3450 | 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 9300GE | New 512MB AMD Radeon™ HD 6350 | 256MB ATI Radeon™ HD 3470 | 12MB ATI Radeon™ HD 4550 | New 1GB AMD Radeon HD 6450 | 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT330 | New 1GB AMD Radeon™ HD 6670 | 512MB NVIDIA Quadro® NVS 420 | ||
| Images | VGA DisplayPort  | VGA DisplayPort (not 380) | VGA DisplayPort (not 390) HDMI  390 Only |  | | |  |  | |  |  |  | |
| Available on | 580 | 380, 780, 960 | 390,790, 990 | 580, 780, 960, 980 | 580, 780, 960, 980 | 390,790, 990 | 580, 780, 960 | 380, 580, 780, 960, 980 | 390,790, 990 | 780, 960, 980 | 990 | 780, 960, 980 | |
| Optiplex Memory | None dedicated* | None dedicated* | None dedicated* | Dedicated 256MB | Dedicated 256MB | Dedicated 512MB | Dedicated 256MB | Dedicated 512MB | Dedicated 1GB | Dedicated 1GB | Dedicated 1GB | Dedicated 512MB | |
| Max Resolution | 1920 x 1200 VGA 2560 x 1600 DP | 1920 x 1200 VGA 2560 x 1600 DP | 1920 x 1200 VGA 2560 x 1600 DP | 1920 x 1200 VGA 1920 x 1200 DVI | 1920 x 1200 VGA 1920 x 1200 DVI | 1920 x 1200 VGA 1920 x 1200 DVI | 1920 x 1200 DVI 2560 x 1600 DP | 2560 x 1600 DVI 2560 x 1600 DP | 2560 x 1600 DVI 2560 x 1600 DP | 2560 x 1600 DVI 2560 x 1600 DP | 2560 x 1600 DVI 2560 x 1600 DP | 1920 x 1200 DVI 2560 x 1600 DP | |
| Direct X | DX10 | DX10 | DX10 | DX10 | DX10 | DX11 | DX10 | DX11 | DX11 | DX10 | DX11 | DX10 | |
| Dual Monitor Support |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Native connectors | 1 DP 1 VGA | 1 DP (not on 380) 1 VGA | 1 DP (790/990) 1 VGA 1 HDMI (390) | 1 DMS-59 | 1 DMS-59 | 1 DMS-59 | 2 DP | 1 DP 1 DVI | 1 DP 1 DVI | 1 DP 1 DVI | 1 DP 1 DVI | Quad DP or Quad DVI 1 VHDCI | |
| Included adapters |  | | | 1 Dual DVI or 1 Dual VGA | 1 Dual DVI or 1 Dual VGA | 1 Dual DVI or 1 Dual VGA | 1 DP-DVI(SL) | 1 DP-DVI(SL) | 1 DVI - VGA 1 DP-DVI(SL) | 1 DP-DVI(SL) | 1 DP-DVI(SL) | 4 DVI or 4 DP |
Compare Side-by-Side
Monitor setup for all graphics cards
The following guide will help you determine the video adapter(s) required to properly support your monitor setup. Please note that additional adapters may be required for multimonitor setup, which can be selected in the adapter section during system customization.
Monitor setup for all graphic
Step 1 — Check your Monitor(s):
The first step in determining if you require an additional video adapter(s) is to check your monitors for the type of connections: DisplayPort, DVI or VGA.
Step 2 — Check your graphics card(s):
The second step is to determine the type of connectors of your graphics card. The "Compare side-by-side" tab below would help you determine the standard outputs available.
Step 3 — Determine what video adapter(s) you need:
Using the below table, line up your monitor input with your graphics card output. This will help you decide on the type of video adapter or cable you will require to connect your monitor. Additional adapters can be selected in the adapter section during system customization.
Step 4 — How to Connect:
Connect your monitor(s) to your graphics card using the appropriate cables and adapters.
The following guide will help you determine the video adapter(s) required to properly support your monitor setup. Please note that additional adapters may be required for multimonitor setup, which can be selected in the adapter section during system customization.
Monitor setup for all graphic
Step 1 — Check your Monitor(s):
The first step in determining if you require an additional video adapter(s) is to check your monitors for the type of connections: DisplayPort, DVI or VGA.
| Connector | |  | | |
| Name | VGA | DVI | DisplayPort or DP | HDMI* |
| Commonality | Very common | Common | Not as common | Not as common |
| Quality | Good | Better | Better | Better |
Step 2 — Check your graphics card(s):
The second step is to determine the type of connectors of your graphics card. The "Compare side-by-side" tab below would help you determine the standard outputs available.
| Connector | | |
| Name | DVI | DisplayPort or DP |
| Commonality | Common | Not as common |
| Quality | Better | Better |
Step 3 — Determine what video adapter(s) you need:
Using the below table, line up your monitor input with your graphics card output. This will help you decide on the type of video adapter or cable you will require to connect your monitor. Additional adapters can be selected in the adapter section during system customization.
| Monitor Input | Graphics Card Output DVI | Graphics Card Output DP |
VGA | DVI -> VGA adapter | DP -> VGA adapter |
DVI | No adapter needed | |
DP | Use monitor DVI connector | No adapter needed |
Step 4 — How to Connect:
Connect your monitor(s) to your graphics card using the appropriate cables and adapters.
Monitor Setup