Mini ITX build (node 304 case) good video card, Sapphire R9-285 Compact OC :)

[Hugo Drax]

Found a great card for a Mini ITX build I did this week. I was looking for something with good performance and small.

Most cards are quite long and power hungry for mini ITX builds, especially in a small case like a node 304.

Usually its a compromise with size VS GPU capability. where the small cards are underwhelming.

Anyhow this Sapphire Compact OC R9-285 uses the new GCN 1.2 tonga GPU it is a nice looking small half size card.

Fits real easy in a node 304 case, with plenty of room to spare. The card is all heatsink and has an 8pin connector (comes with the dual 6 to 8 adapter) I just used my seasonic modular cable that has 8 pins connected to my X-560 PS.

It runs cool. in the non gaming state, it runs in the 30's C and it is quiet.

Running games ie X-plane, Alien Isolation etc.. it hits about 63-65c and the fan noise is audible but not problematic, I dont notice it when playing games. The game audio is always louder.

Rock solid stable so far, quiet and efficient. I highly recommend it as a Mini-ITX card. I think its the most powerful GPU you can stick in a small case.

link to card info
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1227&pid=2445&psn=&lid=1&leg=0

Tonga is an interesting GPU, it is the latest GCN type GPU with some enhancements for 4K video. Plus the new trueaudio feature

It supports UEFI and It works in Secure-boot windows 10 Preview.

 

[ShintaiDK]

The fastest card in that size is the GTX970 tho without a doubt. Also at less power consumption than the 285.

The case you describe is quite big and can handle regular cards. Why go with a card that dumps the heat in the case vs a blower type?

Personally I got a GTX980 blower card in a SG08B MiniITX case.

 

[Hugo Drax]

The card I bought is a blower type, it exhausts out the back of the card. I have a modular X-560 PS so the fit would be problematic if I use a longer card.

 

[ShintaiDK]

The card I bought is a blower type, it exhausts out the back of the card. I have a modular X-560 PS so the fit would be problematic if I use a longer card.

Unfortunately its not. It dumps the main part of the heat in the case and has nothing to do with a blower type card.

 

[tviceman]

This is the case I'm currently using. Ultimately I've grown unhappy with it. The case is attempting to be a server rack / ITX gaming combination, which is ultimately inefficient. They could have used a 120mm exhaust fan instead of 140mm to shave an inch off the height, perpindicular hard drive mounts to shave two inches off the length, and cut out passive exhaust holes along the top where the video card sits because hot air gathers up there over long periods of use. I'm going to be switching to the Silverstone RVZ01 soon.