Need a Low Profle/Low Power Video Card

[mode101wpb]

I need a PCI-E 2.0 X16 low profile/low power card for my Dell Optiplex 760 Small Form Factor. I have been researching several models that meet the requirements.

The PSU is 235W, very small and propriety form factor, so no upgrading. Yes I could do something with an external Pico PSU to power a higher watt card but I don't think I will need something that powerful.

Uses: No gaming, just the usual stuff but I want good video playback, DVD and online HD content. No Blueray either.

Dell lists only three cards all are 256MB, Geoforce 9300GE and two ATI cards...all seem to be in the 25W range or so, fairly weak cards but maybe good enough for my needs?

As an option I'm looking at the Geoforce 9500 GT 512MB low profile and the ATI 4650 512MB low profile. I have read that others had success in their low power SFF units with these and they are big upgrade over the other options at the same or close price range.

Also looking at the Quadro FX 380LP which just came out, since I might do some light duty CAD stuff as well, but it seems overpriced.

Any other recommendations? Thanks!

 

[tweakboy]

Get a 4650 its faster then 9500 and 9600 .

If your going to do 3d modeling and CAD stuff then buy the Quadro FX 380LP

gl on your journey

 

[mode101wpb]

This is the one I'm looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102829

The Quadro FX 380LP seems overpriced and the older 370LP looks identical to the 9300GE , I have used other Quadro cards over the years on certified systems for 3D CAD at work where it's needed, but I have had no issues with gaming cards at home, just not 100% and some features are missing. There are no benchmarks on the 380LP since it's so new, that's why I'm leaning to a non-certified card that has at least Open GL.

 

[bullbert]

There was a low profile 9800gt on one of the Hot Deals sites this past week (SD?). I am not sure it qualifies as low power, though. Also check to see what newegg currently has in stock. However, after a couple bad experiences with NVIDIA, I now avoid their products like the plague, but that is just me.

edit: oops, my bad. it was a 9600gt

 

[blanketyblank]

Maybe with some luck it could work with one of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&cm_re=4350-_-
14-121-310-_-Product

ATI lists 300 Watts PSU, but I think that's conservative. Worst case you're out $22.
I know these are good enough for 1080p.

 

[Stefan Payne]

A 300W PSU isn't needed for a HD46x0, that depends on which CPU you use.

With an Athlon 600e you should be fine with everything that's able to deliver about 120W on the +12V rail.

 

[Farfrumhumpn]

There is a guy with a Gigabyte low profile, 9600GT EE ( No 6-pin required ) on the FS forums for $75 shipped. I'd say grab that.

 

[mode101wpb]

There was a low profile 9800gt on one of the Hot Deals sites this past week (SD?). I am not sure it qualifies as low power, though. Also check to see what newegg currently has in stock. However, after a couple bad experiences with NVIDIA, I now avoid their products like the plague, but that is just me.

edit: oops, my bad. it was a 9600gt

9600GT will require an external PSU like a Pico or something else. A review on Newegg has the Galaxy 9600GT with the same set-up, Pico PSU.

 

[mode101wpb]

There is a guy with a Gigabyte low profile, 9600GT EE ( No 6-pin required ) on the FS forums for $75 shipped. I'd say grab that.

Yeah I saw that, it's a Galaxy 9600GT, I know KFA2 makes one as well. Pushing the limits like I said external PSU will be needed.

 

[mode101wpb]

Maybe with some luck it could work with one of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&cm_re=4350-_-
14-121-310-_-Product

ATI lists 300 Watts PSU, but I think that's conservative. Worst case you're out $22.
I know these are good enough for 1080p.

looks like the passive heatsink is close to the Dell HDD cradle, might work but that's below the 4650.

 

[mode101wpb]

A 300W PSU isn't needed for a HD46x0, that depends on which CPU you use.

With an Athlon 600e you should be fine with everything that's able to deliver about 120W on the +12V rail.

I'm using the Intel Pentium Dual Core E6500.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116093

The Dell SFF PSU has only 17A on the +12V rail, though I read Dell underrates their PSUs greatly.