PCI-Express Low Profile Video Card (1 Viewer)

[jacton]

I need a low profile video card that isn't top of the line, but can get the job done. It needs to be able to playback 1080p without a problem. Garry suggest NVidia GT8500 video cards. What does everyone else use/suggest?

I found a fairly cheap one on amazon, but not sure about it: Amazon.com: AOpen GeForce 8500GT 256MB Low Profile PCI-Express Video Card w/DVI TV-Out: Electronics

 

[allanp81]

Depends what CPU you have also.

 

[jacton]

single core intel P4 2.8 ghz

 

[allanp81]

You will need a fairly powerful gfx card then.

 

[Owlsroost]

XFX do a low-profile 9500GT card (I use one in a low-profile Dell Vostro 200), model number 'PV-T95G-YALG' - you need to buy the XFX low-profile bracket kit as well.

See Graphic Cards - GeForce® 9 Series - Nvidia GeForce 9500 GT

Tony

 

[jacton]

looks like a nice card, but not sure my system can support it. It says it has a minimum requirement of 350w power supply, the SFF I have only has a 180w power supply. I would also like to stay around the $50 range for this, that is going for about $70 right now. Thanks for the input though...

Any other suggestions anyone? Specifically anyone with a Small Form Factor computer, as they provide some limitations.

 

[hoborg]

Saphire ATI 4550 (fanless/LowProfile) http://www.alfacomp.cz/ezbozi/28932/29481av.jpg - have best DXVA (HD, DVD) support.

 

[Owlsroost]

....or a fanless ATi HD3450 - not as powerful as the HD4550 and only supports 2 channel HDMI audio, but should be pretty cheap now.

I had one of these in my Vostro before the 9500GT - I replaced it because it wasn't quite up to coping with deinterlacing 1080i MPEG-2 on a 1080p display.

I'd agree with Hoborg that the HD4350/HD4550 is probably the best combination of performance versus low-power - according to ATi they use 25W max (see ATI Radeon™ HD 4550 Graphics Technology - Overview), so it should be OK with your 180w power supply. To be honest, any low-profile card with a passive heatsink has to be low power otherwise it would fry itself.....


One thing to be aware of with fanless (passive) cooled cards is that they can be thicker than one PCIe slot due to the size of the heatsink e.g. my HD3450 uses up 2 slot spaces.

Tony

 

[Sh4nn0w]

I'm using an ASUS EAH3450/DI/256M which comes with a low profile bracket which was cheap.

 

[jacton]

Thanks for the help everyone. I've decided on the ATI HD4550 as recommended by hoborg.

I got a pretty sweet deal on it I believe, getting it for $46 after a $10 rebate with free shipping!

SuperBiiz.com - Sapphire ATI Radeon HD4550 512MB DDR3 PCI-Express Video Card, RetailSapphire ATI Radeon HD4550 512MB DDR3 PCI-Express Video Card