Intel 3100 On Board Graphics, Dell Vostro Slim, and low profile card questions

[episodic]

What is a good low profile pci-e express card that will allow me to run civilization 4 and Empire Earth III at med settings.

I have no need to have 60 fps - just a good 30 something that allows decent playability. I need to make sure it isn't too powerful of a card because the powersupply is a mini powersupply on these machines. I would be happy with geforce 6200 level performance in other words.

The big thing I'm finding on newegg is that the low profile cards don't seem to come with the brackets, and the ones that do come with the low profile brackets are the more powerful ones that I'm scared will cause the power supply grief.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814141030

This one above is a low profile ready card. However, it doesn't come with the brackets. I checked biostar's us site and can't even find the card, little lone how to order the bracket that isn't included.

Anyone give me a hand on this. the 7300LE is fine for my needs. I simply like RTS games and turn based games. Thanks!

 

[daveybrat]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814133203


The PNY Geforce 8400GS 256MB seems to be the best fit for you system. It comes with the low-profile brackets as well and for $49 AR it should suite you fine. :thumbsup:

 

[hans007]

if you want to spend a bit more MSI makes a 8500gt that is low profile. main difference is it has 128bit ram... and is baout 40% faster.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127301

unfortunately it has no low profile bracket.. according to the newegg posts you have to request it from MSI (i guess its free) but it is probably by far the fastest card in low profile.



a radeon 2400 pro could also work... im not sure if its faster than a 8400gs but it should be comparable

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814103047




this review seems to say the 2400 pro could be a better choice..
http://it-review.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1731&Itemid=91&limit=1&limitstart=3

 

[episodic]

With any of these cards should I be concerned about the smallish power supply on the dell vostro?

 

[postmortemIA]

Originally posted by: episodic
With any of these cards should I be concerned about the smallish power supply on the dell vostro?

shouldn't and nothing prevents you from buying decent (not cheap) psu.

..why did you get vostro in first place when it doesn't fit you?

7300LE is not enough, i have it on my laptop.

 

[daveybrat]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA

Originally posted by: episodic
With any of these cards should I be concerned about the smallish power supply on the dell vostro?

shouldn't and nothing prevents you from buying decent (not cheap) psu.

..why did you get vostro in first place when it doesn't fit you?

7300LE is not enough, i have it on my laptop.

Maybe the fact that he states earlier that this is the slim tower? It doesn't take a normal ATX power supply. It's proprietary, he can't just go out and replace it.

and i'm sure he bought it because Dell has been running some great deals lately, he probably got a bargain price on it.

The 8400GS i linked to will run fine on that power supply and is adequate for the games you stated earlier.

 

[hans007]

that power supply should be plenty. newer power supplies are heavily loaded on the 12V amp rail. the new vostros have like 18-20amps on that rail so it shoudl be plenty. all the cards i posted links for probably use 30 watts at max load at worst