Fastest PCI Express card that doesn't need additional power?

[PremiumG]

Whats the fastest PCI Express graphics card that doesn't use the 6 pin power? I will be using it on a dell that only has SATA power plugs, so no molex plugs to convert into 6 pin.

 

[brblx]

4670, most likely.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Originally posted by: brblx
4670

Fixed.

 

[BruceOTB]

9800gt. they have this version that doesnt need external power.

 

[yh125d]

Originally posted by: BruceOTB
9800gt. they have this version that doesnt need external power.

This man has it right, it is no longer 4670. There is a more efficient 9800gt "green" version out. A few manufacturers have them out, PNY and Galaxy that I know of


Although I should add that it is slightly underclocked so it is a tad slower than original 9800GTs, but still faster than 4670

 

[Schmide]

9800gt Energy Efficient Edition

You still may tax your PSU too much. What model it this.

 

[yh125d]

On closer look, BFG and XFX also have pci-e power-less versions on newegg

 

[M0RPH]

You can get an adapter here.

That would enable you to use a Radeon HD4770 which actually uses less power than that low-power 9800gt. See this review and adjust the 9800gt numbers for "up to 30% less" and the 4770 still uses less.

In fact they say in the review that the 4770 doesn't really need its 6-pin power. I can't say whether or not the card will boot without that connection, though, so that's where the above adapter comes in.

 

[toyota]

nobody even knows what the rest of his pc looks like. he could have P4 for all we know.

EDIT: how the hell did my post show up before M0RPH's since I posted this after I read his??

 

[hans007]

if they ever release the 4750 it will also use less power since it has gddr3 which is clocked lower, so it might actually not have the power plug. but its not out yet because of 40mm chip shortages.

 

[Denithor]

Just be careful with these recommendations, guys - one main reason they're able to sell a 9800GT without a power connector is because they are relying on newer motherboards with the PCIe 2.0 slot - which provides 150W to the video card, up from 75W from the older PCIe 1.x slot. If the OP has an older motherboard it won't be able to power the card correctly and the adapter will be needed (assuming the PSU has two spare molex connectors).