Any better options than 650ti for short card?

[bfromcolo]

Since the 650ti was released I have been considering an upgrade, even though the consensus is going for the 7850 instead. So here's your chance to talk me out of it. As you can see below case limitations currently restrict what I can use. The 650ti appears to be the best card at this length for less than $200 that requires a single 6 pin power connector. Figured I throw this out there and see if I am overlooking anything.

Thanks


System Specifications:

I. Processor/CPU:

Phenom II x4 840 @3.7, at current resolution and detail settings the CPU is not issue in any games I play.

II. Current Graphics Card:

Sapphire 6750 1G DDR5

III. Display Resolution:

1680 x 1050 (likely to get a 1080p in next 12 months as this old display is dimming due to florescent tube ageing)

IV. Power Supply Unit Specification (Brand, Wattage, Ampage, Age). If possible, please provide a link to a website containing the power supply specifications:

http://www.apevia.com/productsInfo.asp?KEY=X-Master-BK/500

Included 500W power supply with Apevia HTPC case. I doubt its a very good supply. It has a single 6 pin power connector for GPU. It's about 4 years old.

V. Case Specifications(N/A, Model, Length, Low Profile, Cooling, HTPC, Water, Silent):

HTPC see link above. The 6750 I have now is 7.25 in long and has a rear facing power connector. This fits with some allowance for cable routing and airflow behind the card, any longer will probably not fit or impact airflow.

Also the card can not stick up higher than the PCB, some of these newer cards with coolers that are taller than the slot will not work.

Purchase Details:

I. Budget? Please be sure to include currency (If not USD), retailer preferences & specify whether rebates are a viable option.

200 USD or less, no retailer preference, rebates are fine.


II. Any particular preferences (Manufacturer[nV or AMD], Brand[XFX, Sapphire, EVGA, etc], Cooling Solutions)?

Have had good luck with Sapphire (AMD) and EVGA (Nvidia), not hung up on brand but good quality, reliability. Definitely air cooled.

III. Do you plan to have any Multi-GPU solutions such as Crossfire or SLI?

No

IV. Have you previously looked at a product(s) which you feel would fit your needs?

Looking at Newegg just at the EVGA cards (the bottom 3 include AS3 which my kid would play)

1G reference $140
1G overclocked $160
2G reference $160
2G overclocked $180

V. What are your needs for this GPU? Which games(If any)do you intend to play? If you have this information at hand, what are the desired detail levels?

Skyrim and Crysis I/II play fine on high with 6750, if I can't make a significant upgrade here it probably won't be worthwhile until I can upgrade the entire system or get a bigger case.

I'll probably play with F@H on it at times, but not 7x24.

VI. Do you plan on overclocking the card you intend to purchase?

Probably not, maybe but not to any extreme levels.

 

[Leyawiin]

First off, its the best performing short card that will fit your requirements that you will find. The shortest HD 7850 is about 8". The GTX 650 Ti will save you about 1.25" over your current card and should give you at least 50% better FPS in your three primary games (probably more). Not to mention the ability to up the quality settings. Add to that the power consumption is no more than the HD 6750 and your case temps won't increase - and may be better with the increased air flow. I'd do it.

 

[raghu78]

If you can fit the sapphire HD 7850 2GB which measures around 8.3 inches length get it. factory overclocked to 920 Mhz.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102984

you will get more than 2x the performance of HD 6750. massive upgrade over the HD 6750. HD 7850 (1 Ghz) matches GTX 570. you can easily overclock to 1 Ghz in AMD CCC. the dual x cooler is one of the best when it comes to cooling. your card temps won't cross 70c under load. This card is around 40% faster than GTX 650 Ti which is a horribly crippled card with a 128 bit memory bus and 16 ROPs. the HD 7850 with 256 bit memory bus and 32 ROPs is the perfect mid range card for 1080p gaming.

 

[Magic Carpet]

This, is probably the next best compact card after 650 ti. Only 7.53 inches. Or a regular 660, requires only one 6-pin cable. Same width.

 

[Termie]

This, is probably the next best compact card after 650 ti. Only 7.53 inches. Or a regular 660, requires only one 6-pin cable. Same width.

I'm very familiar with the OP's predicament, given my HTPC's space limitations.

The 660 (and every 660, 670, or 680-series card) has PCIe power plugs that stick up from the card, which will not work in a narrow case, which the OP's seems to be. In fact, his case is essentially a clone of my CoolerMaster Elite 360.

Unfortunately, unless the OP can fit the MSI HD7850 (7.75" plus ~0.5" for power plugs at the end of the card), he's stuck with the 650. Here's that HD7850: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127706

If the OP's graphics card is bumping into the PSU power cables, and he has a motherboard with multiple PCIe slots (i.e. an SLI/Crossfire motherboard), he could consider using the second slot (lower bandwidth, but potentially more clearance).

 

[bfromcolo]

Thanks for responding.

The Zotac 660 with the power plug on top won't work, not enough clearance with the side of the case. I wonder if anyone makes a low profile adapter for the power plug?

That MSI 7850 would be a really tight fit, the power supply cords come out almost in line with the PCIe slot. I have a mATX board with only one slot. Even if I could wedge it in there, with all the cables running behind the card air flow would be seriously constricted.

I hadn't seen anything better that 650ti short of buying a bigger case, but thought maybe I had overlooked something. With all the mATX and ITX cases people are using for HTPC setups you would think there would be more demand for shorter cards.

 

[Termie]

Thanks for responding.

The Zotac 660 with the power plug on top won't work, not enough clearance with the side of the case. I wonder if anyone makes a low profile adapter for the power plug?

That MSI 7850 would be a really tight fit, the power supply cords come out almost in line with the PCIe slot. I have a mATX board with only one slot. Even if I could wedge it in there, with all the cables running behind the card air flow would be seriously constricted.

I hadn't seen anything better that 650ti short of buying a bigger case, but thought maybe I had overlooked something. With all the mATX and ITX cases people are using for HTPC setups you would think there would be more demand for shorter cards.

I think you're stuck with the 650. These compact ATX cases are brilliant on paper, but once you build with them, you see that the parts don't exactly fit together. How they never realized that the PSU cables would line up with the video card slot is beyond me...your only other (potential) option is to go with a modular PSU, which might avoid conflicting with the PCIe slot.

Since you have a mATX board, I'd probably aim for a different case eventually, rather than a new PSU. If you don't need quite the narrowness of your current case to fit in your space, I can highly recommend the Silverstone mATX cases (TJ08 and PS07). Their overall internal volume is larger than yours (which makes it all the more miraculous that an ATX board fits in yours), but their design is much better optimized to actually work.

PS07: 8.27" x 14.73" x 15.75" W x H x D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163186

In my situation, the narrowness is critical to fitting in my AV space, so I'm sticking with my ultra-narrow ATX case.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

650ti doesn't come close to a 7850. It is closer to a 7770.

 

[jacktesterson]

Just to throw it out there, I have an excellent condition Palit GTX 460 1GB Sonic Edition for sale. Its only 7.4 inches long. Overclocks to 470 levels.

Just another option.

 

[bfromcolo]

The 460 has the power cords on top, that won't work.

I guess the decision now is which one and which features. Factory overclocked and 2G add about $40 over the 1G reference, either or both come with a free game too.

 

[skipsneeky2]

Perhaps the msi twin frozer 3 7850 would be ideal?7.73'' and the height is pretty standard,i was able to comfortably fit it into a gateway dx oem case with no hassle with over a inch to spare after powering it up,i could only imagine your case would present no issues.

Clock it to 1100 core and its the most powerful card you will find under 8'' period hitting 7870 performance and in most games outrunning the gtx660.

I can't recommend this card enough honestly,its a beautiful product.

 

[bfromcolo]

These compact ATX cases are brilliant on paper, but once you build with them, you see that the parts don't exactly fit together. How they never realized that the PSU cables would line up with the video card slot is beyond me...
.

I've managed to fit 2 hard drives, 1 SSD, 1 DVD, 3 fans in here along with the CPU, mobo and video card, and I still have room for stuff! Just not an 8" video card. I like the small case I can put on the desk as opposed to have a big tower sitting on the floor. But they are a challenge to put together and cable routing can be a pain.

 

[bfromcolo]

Another couple questions.

Is there any point in buying a factory overclocked version of this card? Are parts binned so it's actually better, or just factory adjustments I can make myself?

 

[Leyawiin]

I'm double-post retarded this morning. Sorry.

 

[Leyawiin]

Most manufacturers don't bin for lower/midrange cards and its generally better to save the money and OC it yourself. About all you get with factory OC'd cards is an assurance that it will run at advertised speeds. I would probably spend the extra $20 and get the 2GB version.

650ti doesn't come close to a 7850. It is closer to a 7770.

It pretty much sits between an HD 6850 and HD 6870 (or about like a GTX 560).

 

[Leyawiin]

NVM - double post

 

[Jovec]

I wonder if anyone makes a low profile adapter for the power plug?

There are 90 degree / right angle PCIe power adapter cables, that depending on clearance, may allow for top mount power or allow you to use a slightly longer card with end-mounted power.

 

[Termie]

There are 90 degree / right angle PCIe power adapter cables, that depending on clearance, may allow for top mount power or allow you to use a slightly longer card with end-mounted power.

This sounds like an interesting option, actually. Would allow the use of the Zotac 660.

 

[bfromcolo]

There are 90 degree / right angle PCIe power adapter cables, that depending on clearance, may allow for top mount power or allow you to use a slightly longer card with end-mounted power.

Like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Pin-to-6-...S_Power_Cables_Connectors&hash=item1e71566fb1

That very well could work. I'll contact the seller and see if they can provide some dimensions on how high that sticks up after its inserted.

Thanks

 

[Zap]

The 460 has the power cords on top, that won't work.

The EVGA GTX 460 in my slim HTPC disagrees with you.

 

[Termie]

The EVGA GTX 460 in my slim HTPC disagrees with you.

So does the EVGA GTX460 in my slim HTPC, but he's talking about a Palit.

And actually, the reference 460 would be too long in his situation.

 

[bfromcolo]

OK I have measured and pushed and pulled the cables around and I can fit one of the shorter 7850s in here. It won't be great for air flow but I can use cable ties to manage the mess that is there now, so it won't be blocked.

The least expensive 2G 7850 on Newegg is $170 shipped after rebate, and comes with 3 games and a Xmas price guarantee. XFX Core Edition FX-785A-CNJC. I have never had a XFX card, is this a decent choice or is there anything to be concerned about?

Can I trust XFX to get the rebate to me in this lifetime or are they going to be like Antec and I'll have forgotten what it's for by the time it gets here?

Thanks

 

[skipsneeky2]

XFX is hit and miss i think for some people,personally my experience has been crap.

I had a very good experience with my msi twin frozr3 i mentioned earlier in this thread,others may tell you to stay away from xfx as well.

 

[Termie]

OK I have measured and pushed and pulled the cables around and I can fit one of the shorter 7850s in here. It won't be great for air flow but I can use cable ties to manage the mess that is there now, so it won't be blocked.

The least expensive 2G 7850 on Newegg is $170 shipped after rebate, and comes with 3 games and a Xmas price guarantee. XFX Core Edition FX-785A-CNJC. I have never had a XFX card, is this a decent choice or is there anything to be concerned about?

Can I trust XFX to get the rebate to me in this lifetime or are they going to be like Antec and I'll have forgotten what it's for by the time it gets here?

Thanks

I noticed that deal today too. It's a very good price, but it's a pretty average version of the card. That being said, XFX is a decent company - their custom fan designs just aren't very good. You'll get the rebate.

The MSI HD7850 will also fit in your case if the XFX fits, but will be more expensive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127706

 

[Denithor]

http://www.palit.biz/palit/vgapro.php?id=1492

Pallit card might fit the bill if that angle plug works. They're like 7.4-7.5" in length, I had in my htpc until I replaced with a 7870.