Looking for a low power gpu

[max347]

I have searched around, but cannot find any hard numbers on power usage for low end gpus. Basically, I am wondering if any dx10/11 pcie cards would be able to run on my dad's Sparkle psu w/ 10a on the 12v rail. He has a Pentium D 3ghz, 4gb ddr2, 1 hd and 1 odd.

Any recommendations or links?

Thanks!

 

[Ken g6]

What is it you/he are looking to do with this low end gpu that requires dx10/11?

 

[max347]

Just Aero and hardware acceleration for video, but I don't want an older card- so I guess I should have just said Nvidia 8xxx< or ATI 3xxx<

 

[frozentundra123456]

Are you sure about that PSU having only one 12v rail of 10 amps?? That is only 120 watts. If that is correct, it is barely enough to run the CPU. Maybe there are 2 12v rails??

Anyway, a low end 4xxx series AMD (ATI) card would probably be the best for low power. The 4xxx series were more power efficient than the 3xxx series. Maybe something like a HD4550. But make sure the comp has a PCE express slot, not AGP.

 

[daveybrat]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-376-_-Product

The Radeon HD 6450 1GB card is a very low power card but more than enough power for what he would need. And for $55 w/free shipping, a great price.

 

[Termie]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-376-_-Product

The Radeon HD 6450 1GB card is a very low power card but more than enough power for what he would need. And for $55 w/free shipping, a great price.

The HD6450 is a good card, but for his needs, he can go lower. How about an HD5450 for $26 AR/shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...544-_-Product? It's only half as fast as the 6450, but would be fine for Aero and video acceleration.

 

[max347]

Are you sure about that PSU having only one 12v rail of 10 amps?? That is only 120 watts. If that is correct, it is barely enough to run the CPU. Maybe there are 2 12v rails??

Anyway, a low end 4xxx series AMD (ATI) card would probably be the best for low power. The 4xxx series were more power efficient than the 3xxx series. Maybe something like a HD4550. But make sure the comp has a PCE express slot, not AGP.

Yes, it is just one 12v rail at 10a- its an sfx psu (full height expansion slots though)



Also- yeah I don't need any gaming or anything- but would like HDMI out if possible. Anyone have any numbers for these cards? I read somewhere that the 4550 should only take <25 watts, any confirmations on this?

Really a 4350 would be fine, but I just dont know how many watts they use.

The Pentium D I think take 95w, so I really don't have much room here. Might have to look for a lower watt cpu.

 

[Termie]

Yes, it is just one 12v rail at 10a- its an sfx psu (full height expansion slots though)



Also- yeah I don't need any gaming or anything- but would like HDMI out if possible. Anyone have any numbers for these cards? I read somewhere that the 4550 should only take <25 watts, any confirmations on this?

Really a 4350 would be fine, but I just dont know how many watts they use.

The Pentium D I think take 95w, so I really don't have much room here. Might have to look for a lower watt cpu.

Here are some power numbers: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6450-caicos-blu-ray-3d,2920-12.html. Take a look at the HD5450 silent DDR2 model. Idle at 89 and Furmark load at 118 means that it's only going up 29 at load. Assume it's using about 5w at idle, and you have a 35w card.

Here's the HD5450 DDR2 silent at Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121377. Also $26AR/shipping. Probably a bit slower than the DDR3 version I linked previously. Note that a 6450 uses almost 20w more at load.

For reference, here's Anandtech's original review of the 5450: http://www.anandtech.com/show/2931/14. It's showing a 22w increase at load. Assuming about 5w at idle, that works out to 27w, and this is the DDR3 version. I would think DDR3 would use more power than DDR2, but maybe I'm wrong on that. Either way, this card works out to about 25-35w at load, which is as low as you can reasonably go.

I guess there's always the Geforce 210, which in the Anandtech review uses about 20w at load. Here are some options: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...n=geforce 210&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20.

 

[toyota]

only rated for 10 amps? really? a cheap psu with a rated 10 amps would likely only make about 7-8 at best in real world conditions especially after years of use. that means that psu would be at full capacity using only 85-90 watts. there is no way that could safely run any gpu with a 3.0 Pentium D and all other components. a few times under full load and that thing would likely be done for.