• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

The death of single slot cards?

Jesusthewererabbit

Jesusthewererabbit

Senior member
i've got a system that serves me well, and I plan on using for at least another two years. One of these days, I would like to pop a better card than my 3850 in.

My problem is that my TV tuner is in the PCI-E 1x slot right below the x16 slot. It isn't a huge necessity, but I would like to keep it. Does anyone think that it will even be possible to get a midrange card from here on out that takes up a single slot?
 
Oh definitely, as things move forward, it's generally only the high-end cards that are double-slot. Things move on, and new midrange cards come out that dominate what were previously high-end cards. I have a 9600GT, it just obliterates the old dual-slot 7950 that I had for a while not that long ago. There are plenty of decent single-slot cards, so long as you're not looking for obscene power.

I have a buddy with the Atomic 4870 X2, and it's a single slot setup. Fast as hell too.
 
Do you not have any other PCIe slots at all? You can put a x1 card in any PCIe slot.

We will likely see faster single slot on the next die-shrink, but at least in most setups it shouldn't be an issue.
 
generally the fastest single slot cards available are the 9800 and 4850. gts250 on up it seems like all nvidia cards use the dual slot reference cooler or something like it, 4870 on up seem to take two slots even when not using a blower fan. the 4870x2 is a watercooled setup, i'd guess you you could get just about any single gpu card if you want to buy a water block.
 
My main worry is that even the 4770, which is a good performer and runs fairly cool, has this heatsink on it. It just won't work with my current setup. After all the complaints about the reference 4850 and 880GT cooler, I'm afraid neither maker will offer a decent performer in a single slot card.

Originally posted by: kylebisme
Do you not have any other PCIe slots at all? You can put a x1 card in any PCIe slot.

We will likely see faster single slot on the next die-shrink, but at least in most setups it shouldn't be an issue.
Click to expand...

Only two slots I've got, along with two PCI. It's an off the shelf HP I bought because I was out of the loop for about four years, and didn't have time to properly research everything. My next build will be better thought out, and watercooling will be an option, but that's a ways in the future.
 
The 4850 runs hot, but it runs just fine on a single slot cooler. All of the complaints about it are from people who have some number arbitrarily set in their head that nothing should ever run hotter than. These are the same kind of people that touch something, feel that it's hot, and decide it's too hot or overheating, without having any understanding of how hot the device is designed to be run at.

There's no reason to think they won't have future cards that work just fine on single slot coolers either.
 
My single slot runs fine, and my definition of fine is hasn't artifacted or had any kind of issues related to heat.
Can't say the same for my 9800 (ATI 9800) back in the day which wasn't so lucky.

Having a hot running card is only a problem if the card can't cope with running hot, single slot HD4850's can.
 
Frankly, single-slot cards should die as soon as possible.

Double-slot should be standard, with single-slot as a more expensive option. It's loud, hot, and -- for most users -- pointless.
 
Originally posted by: s44
Frankly, single-slot cards should die as soon as possible.

Double-slot should be standard, with single-slot as a more expensive option. It's loud, hot, and -- for most users -- pointless.
Click to expand...

Says the guy who has never owned a Shuttle or any other confined-space PC.

C'mon, no reason to make blanket statements like that - there are plenty of reasons for single-slot cooler video cards and I seriously don't see them dying anytime soon.
 
I always prefer single slot cards. As long as I have no overheating issues with the card (e.g. shut downs, artifacts, or other assorted oddities) I could care less if the GPU sits idle at like 65c. I just want stability, not e-peen numbers. And SFF PCs are sweet as hell.
 
Instead, motherboard designers should just put more room around PCI-E 16X slots. The 1X slots right next to the 16X slot is almost always totally useless if you are going to use a discrete graphics card.

Arkaign:

Yeah, but the Atomic is water cooled. You don't need the extra slot for exhaust.
 
You won't be able to get high end single slot, but they'll keep doing mid-range single slot.

Keep in mind enthusiasts are a tiny part of the market.

More video cards go into pre-builts, where they generally prefer single slot by far.
 
Originally posted by: s44Double-slot should be standard, with single-slot as a more expensive option.
Click to expand...

This is what it is right now.

Single slot Radeon 4850 512MB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814161235

That's the same price as a dual slot Radeon 4870 1GB.

This is single slot in the main picture, but not in the other pictures. Reviews from 2008 say single slot, but maybe they changed it. Look into it, because if this is really single slot it's your best price:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121253

 
I'm looking for a single slot solution for my 4770's. There are still no aftermarket coolers for it. Of course, almost every aftermarket cooler is also dual slot, but I can hope can't i 🙂?

 
i like dual slots esp. those with a nice cooler like zalman type. cools way better than single slots. unless you got no room, dual slots are definitely better.
 
Originally posted by: dguy6789
The 4850 runs hot, but it runs just fine on a single slot cooler. All of the complaints about it are from people who have some number arbitrarily set in their head that nothing should ever run hotter than. These are the same kind of people that touch something, feel that it's hot, and decide it's too hot or overheating, without having any understanding of how hot the device is designed to be run at.

There's no reason to think they won't have future cards that work just fine on single slot coolers either.
Click to expand...

Not trying to derail the thread, but what's a good number for the 4850? Mine (Visiontek w/ original stock cooler) jumps up to 100 C whenever gaming.
 
Originally posted by: roguerower
Not trying to derail the thread, but what's a good number for the 4850? Mine (Visiontek w/ original stock cooler) jumps up to 100 C whenever gaming.
Click to expand...

Don't worry about the temp. I have a GeForce 7 that runs at 130C when testing Furmark but the card works fine; temperature is totally meaningless if the thing works. You'll know when the card is too hot. It will start drawing screwed up shapes and it might cause the screen to go black.
 
Originally posted by: roguerower
Originally posted by: dguy6789
The 4850 runs hot, but it runs just fine on a single slot cooler. All of the complaints about it are from people who have some number arbitrarily set in their head that nothing should ever run hotter than. These are the same kind of people that touch something, feel that it's hot, and decide it's too hot or overheating, without having any understanding of how hot the device is designed to be run at.

There's no reason to think they won't have future cards that work just fine on single slot coolers either.
Click to expand...

Not trying to derail the thread, but what's a good number for the 4850? Mine (Visiontek w/ original stock cooler) jumps up to 100 C whenever gaming.
Click to expand...

Actually you need to use the ATI control panel to turn up your fanspeed a bit. That will cool the card a lot.
 
There would probably already be single slot 4770 cards out by now - except that the supply has been too low on these cards.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top