Low-power gaming card that can be softmodded into a workstation card?

Phew

Senior member
May 19, 2004
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Hi, I'm looking for a cheap gaming video card that can be softmodded into its equivalent workstation card (FireGL or Quadro FX series). However, it has to run off the power available in Dell Vostro 200 desktops, so anything that requires a 6 pin PCIE power connector is out. That rules out the most common softmod candidates (3850, 8800, etc).

Is there a cheap (<$75) card that meets my requirements? The closest I could find is the GeForce 9400, which can apparently be softmodded into a Quadro FX 370, but even this card may require more power than the lowly Dell PSU can deliver. The Radeon 4650/4670 is about the fastest card that these Dells can run, but apparently they don't have an equivalent FireGL model.

BTW, the application is SolidWorks 2008/2009.

Thanks

 

Phew

Senior member
May 19, 2004
477
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Actually, it looks like the 4670 may be softmodded into the FirePro V5700 (a $600 card). I can't seem to find anyone that has actually gotten it to work though (and gotten SolidWorks RealView to enable).
 

HFADHL

Junior Member
Oct 21, 2009
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Hello Phew, were you able to softmod the Radeon 4670? If so can you point me to how it wa done? cheers