need card <45 watts for sff Core I5 Lenovo M82 system

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

I have a couple of Lenovo M82 SFF systems that have Intel HD 2500 graphics. I would like to upgrade the video in there to best the video/3D performance of my other computer, which has an
AMD A8-7670k cpu & built in R7 graphics. (& gives a G3DMark of 850, according the the comparison charts I've seen) I would prefer to at least increase 3D performance from that system by 50%.

The Lenovo SFF M82 system restricts video cards to 45 watts. From looking over performance and wattage requirements, it looks like the GT1030 at 30 Watts and a G3Dmark score of 2,200
might be the best option. Unfortunately, the small form factor of this PC appears to restrict me to the more expensive low profile cards that are about $100 each.

Would most of you agree that with a 45 watt limit, the GT 1030 would probably be my best choice to get at least a G3DMark score of about 1,300? (info from videocardbenchmark dot net)

Has anyone out there ever successfully used pci express extension cable to use a full size video card outside of a small form factor case?

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[Shippy]

From the limitations you describe, it sounds like a low profile GT1030 is your best bet. You could go the ghetto fabulous route of extension cables but it would not be aesthetically appealing,

Just curious, what are you trying to do with these SFF systems that the Intel HD 2500 graphics can't handle?

 

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

There are a few games that just won't run well on these that my son likes, such as BeamNG drive - a physics modeling 3D car program, and another game that my
daughter likes to play is a bit too jerky as well. I don't need a lot of a boost, but evidently for those few games I do need something more than the intel HD graphics built in.

 

[Shippy]

have you considered moving the mobo into a bigger case? I assume the 45w limitation is because of the power supply.

Alternatively you could probably install a full size card if you leave off the cover (or mod the cover) but then i'm not sure how safe that would be depending the environment (pets, kids fingers, etc).

According to this thread:
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkC...82-SFF-and-1050-Ti-Graphics-card/td-p/3590962
someone has gotten a low profile GTX 1050ti working with their M82 SFF.

 

[Stuka87]

GT1030 or RX 550 are your two options for cards that don't require a PCIe power connector. But both use more than 45W at load. The RX 550 is faster in most games, but uses about 10W more power. It also costs more.

The GTX1050/RX560 are both quite a bit faster, but also use more power. 45W is REALLY low power for a GPU, even mobile GPU's use more than that.

 

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

I found a used low profile RX 550. Since it says it needs 50 watts, I'm going to try to underclock that 20% and see how that works. (specs say limited to 45 watts
on the pci express slot) It THAT doesn't work, I may end up buying a LONG PCI Express extender cable and trying to mount the video card on the back of the monitor, so
that heat dissipates outside the case entirely.

Can anyone recommend a utility that I can use to keep it underclocked all of the time? I'm hoping that should be enough to lower the wattage and heat output,
but still give me much better graphics abilities than the 3rd gen Core I5 graphics.

 

[Belegost]

Had a friend with one of these. The 45W limitation is the 240W PSU that Lenovo put in there. The 1030 is doable, but it's not high performance, and it may still stress the cheap OEM PSU.

Of course the downside is the Lenovo SFF PSU is not exactly standard. The physical form factor is TFX, so something like this Silverstone is enough power for a 1050 (or similar low profile card) and it includes a 6pin PCIE.

Downside is that it uses a standard 20/24pin ATX motherboard connection, but the Lenovo motherboard uses a 14 pin connection. I found an adapter for it.

Ultimate my friend decided it wasn't worth it, and replaced the case/psu/motherboard - so I can't actually say I've tested those parts. But something to think about if you want a little more power than the 1030.

 

[crazzy.heartz]

There are couple of 45 Watt RX560 cards by sapphire, both 2GB/4GB variants, that you can purchase. 16CU ones (1024 shaders)

Would offer vastly superior performance compared to 1030/550..



https://www.sapphiretech.com/en/consumer/pulse-rx-560-4g-g5-16-cu-1

See if you can these from a local retailer. They are usually able to secure a model on request.

 

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

Curious - at the top of the detailed info screens for both of those 45 watt pulse rx 560 cards it definitely says 45W. However, down further in the details,
one says 75 watts power consumption, and the other says 90W power consumption. Which are we to believe, since this discrepancy is right on the
manufacturer's website?

 

[Markfw]

Curious - at the top of the detailed info screens for both of those 45 watt pulse rx 560 cards it definitely says 45W. However, down further in the details,
one says 75 watts power consumption, and the other says 90W power consumption. Which are we to believe, since this discrepancy is right on the
manufacturer's website?

I just looked that up. It has a 6 min power connector, so its NOT 45 watt. It has to have NO power connecter to be 45 watt. That the first giveaway.

Edit, not sure, but this 2 gig version might be less than 75, as I don;t see a power connector.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA9AX93D1627

But back to your first question, would a 1030 be less than 45 watts, and is it the best option, yes !, and I found one for less than $100
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814932004