Low profile graphics card

[TheMozFather]

I currently have a low profile computer only capable of fitting a card the size of the 5450, with PS2 on the horizon i would like to gain some feedback as to whether there are any other cards similar in size with better performance. I understand that while a certain card may be low profile it doesn't necessarily mean it will fit my computer, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Goku]

What do you have for a PSU in that. Was it a prebuilt like from Dell or HP?

This 6750 (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005HMKHH2/?tag=graphicscards1-20) is looking like the best performer you can get currently. You need the proper PSU for it first though.

If you do not have the proper PSU this 6670 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102958) will have to do the job.

I couldn't find any Nvidia alternatives. There has been some in the last couple years, but all are out of production now.

[TheMozFather]

The computer is an Acer Aspire X3200, so it will just have the stock PSU.

[Goku]

What do you have for a processor in this?

[TheMozFather]

AMD 9650 Quad-Core ~2.3GHz

[Goku]

Phenom wasn't the best CPU released, but it can still play games obviously. Have you given any thoughts to saving money for a new rig? $100 is a premium for even a 6670. You can get a 7700 series for a few bucks more that perform nearly twice as good.

[TheMozFather]

I haven't really considered a new rig. Although thank you for your suggestions, much appreciated. I will certainly look in to the 6670, it seems like the best option for me and my current hardware. Plus, if that means running PS2 any better then i'm all for it.

[Goku]

We still do not know what it will take to run PS2. For all we know your current setup will be limited to medium/low settings. All I'm saying is for $600-$700 you can get a far better machine that doesn't have the low profile limitation. Investing $100 in that machine of yours isn't a good investment IMO.

[TheMozFather]

I completely understand the limitations of a low profile machine. Plus, i could be limited to medium/low settings, you're right, although with a 6670 i can certainly run it better than i can now with a 5450. It just seems like the quickest and easiest solution for the time being.

[Goku]

Not trying to poke here, but do you just not have the funds for such a setup or not sure if you can do a custom rig on your own? If you like small footprint type cases we can be sure to get you one. Anyway enjoy the new card.

[TheMozFather]

Not enough funds for such a setup, although building a custom rig is no problem.

[Goku]

Alright cool. 6670 seems the best fit for now due to that obviously.

[Ailos]

According to Acer's specs, your desktops come with onboard NVidia 8200 with an optional discrete 8400 card in Hybrid SLI mode. Did you previously swap it out for the 5450?

Also, the PSU in that thing is specified as a 220 W supply. That doesn't give a whole lot of room for improvement, however, this GT 430 may also be an option (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125346) since that 6670 is too high for the 220 W (it requires 400W supply minimum).

Alternatively, you may also throw in an extra $75 and also upgrade the PSU to this one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338081), giving you plenty of headroom to get that 6670 - but at this point price may be becoming somewhat of an issue, but if you're really strep for cash, you can sell your used old used PSU (that presumably still works) on eBay and make most of your money back (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=acer+aspire+x3200+power+supply&_sacat=See-All-Categories).

[Goku]

220W? Alright well thats not good then. I figured it was 300W at least, but then again this is a SSF type case.

I did some googling and people are unsure of a 220W working with a 6670. The GT440 seems to be within 5W of the 6670, so it probably isn't even a option either.

5450 is extremely power efficient, but it lacks power. Really the only graphics cards out there that will have a good playable experience for PS minimum is a 6570/GT 430 level card. Let me see what else I can find on this.

[TheMozFather]

According to Acer's specs, your desktops come with onboard NVidia 8200 with an optional discrete 8400 card in Hybrid SLI mode. Did you previously swap it out for the 5450?

Also, the PSU in that thing is specified as a 220 W supply. That doesn't give a whole lot of room for improvement, however, this GT 430 may also be an option (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125346) since that 6670 is too high for the 220 W (it requires 400W supply minimum).

Alternatively, you may also throw in an extra $75 and also upgrade the PSU to this one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338081), giving you plenty of headroom to get that 6670 - but at this point price may be becoming somewhat of an issue, but if you're really strep for cash, you can sell your used old used PSU (that presumably still works) on eBay and make most of your money back (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=acer+aspire+x3200+power+supply&_sacat=See-All-Categories).

Yes, I have switched the previous card for the 5450. However, the system specifications for the 5450 also state '400 Watt or greater power supply recommended' and it's been working absolutely fine.

[Goku]

Just FYi the 5450 from what I see consumes 12W at load and the 6670 does 50W.

[Rbstr]

Yeah, like Goku says, "Requires XXXw PSU" isn't really what you need to look at. The better thing is to look up the card's thermal design point (TDP). And making sure the 12v rails on the powersupply can handle that much power (that's the rail's amperage times its voltage) + some margin for error.

[Ailos]

Yes, I have switched the previous card for the 5450. However, the system specifications for the 5450 also state '400 Watt or greater power supply recommended' and it's been working absolutely fine.

What loads are we talking about here? Original StarCraft or BattleField 3?

If the latter, I'm surprised that thing runs at all - I'd expect everything to slow to a crawl.

Either way, you're going to need to pump more juice through that thing to give you a decent experience in PS2.

EDIT: Also, your 5450 has a TDP rating of just 19 W (Thanks to Rbstr for reminding me about that). The 430 has a TDP of 49 W while the 6670 is at 66 W. You might be able to get away with using this PSU instead (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817338063) but you should really consider giving it more juice than just 220 W that are in there.

[Goku]

Well now we are getting to the point of this upgrade costing too much given his current setup IMO. TheMozFather how about you salvage everything, but your case, PSU, and video card. Move everything else into a new case that will get rid of the low profile limitation.

I don't think you will be able to find a proper video card given your PSU situation is all.

You can do the following:
Asus HD 6770 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card - £74.39 (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-264-AS)
OCZ ZS Series 550W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply - £49.99 (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-055-OC)
Antec 300 Three Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case - Black - £44.99 (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-101-AN)

Total = £183.47

With a 6670 (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-258-AS) for a cheaper build will bring it to £169.37.

For a performance difference between the two look here (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/HD_6670/1.html). Just look at the 5770 for the 6770 as they are both the same card.

[Vancha]

Antec 300 (OCS price didn't include delivery) (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0017Q8IAA/)
OCZ ZS 500W (http://www.shop.bt.com/products/ocz-technology-zs-series-550w-80--bronze-power-supply-7H49.html)
MSI 6770 (£169.58 total) (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0051BB2JQ)

Sapphire 6670 (£153.45 total) (http://www.ebuyer.com/265343-sapphire-hd-6570-2gb-ddr3-dvi-vga-hdmi-pci-e-graphics-card-11191-02-20g)

ASUS 550ti (£183.44 total) (http://www.yoyotech.co.uk/item-detail.php?products_id=4372584)

[TheMozFather]

I really like that idea. Plus, given the price i guess i could stretch for the 550ti. On another note, would the 550ti support PhysX?

[Goku]

Yes it does. Just curious do those prices include VAT Vancha?

[Vancha]

Should do. Amazon doesn't specify, but I'm almost certain that their prices are inc. VAT.

[Ailos]

I approve of this decision. Also, both the 5/6770 and the 550 Ti will make you much happer for a much longer time to come.