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Gpu for light gaming on low powered htpc

Kanifee

Kanifee

Kanifee

Soldato
Joined
13 May 2007
Posts
7,004
Location
On the wagon, sorta
Ok, im looking to get a small low powered Grfx card for my HTPc but i have a couple of issues i need to work around

Issues im facing.
Case is a silverstone Milo ml02, space is a premium and it uses an included 120w itx PSu so the card has to be low powered or i need to replace the psu.

As mentiond space is very tight so has to be single slot, there is no more room for any overhang.

Ok what i need from the card

native res of my 42" Tv is only 1024x768 so the card needs to run Dead space, bioshock and other similer games at relatively pretty settings.
Must be able to do all he things current on board can in terms of audio pass through etc.

Like i said the case uses a 120w itx psu and im currently running an
asus p5n7a-vm
e5200 at stock
2x 1Gb sticks of DDr2 800mhz
1tb low powered hard drive
80Gb laptop hard drive (both sata)

Think i may be cutting the psu close but once a new card is installed power consumption will be cut by the IGp GF9300 not being used...... I hope.

I was thinking of a 9600GT but they all use external power so out of the question.
Ati cards all seem a little to power hungry so im at a loss, dont really want to upgrade the psu as the 150w version is around £60 and i dont think ill really be able to shift the old one.

So any one have any ideas?

Edit:

I have noticed that the specs for the board say hybrid sli support, would this bring any decent gain or better to replace full stop?
 
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I don't think you are being realistic here thinking that you can "run Dead space, bioshock and other similer games at relatively pretty settings" without it turning into a slideshow...consider any graphic card that use so little power in a 120W system will not be up to the job.

Dump the 120W PSU and get a better one, or just forget about gaming and use it only as a HTPC.
 
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ATi 4670 / 5570 might do you.

Single slot, no external power requirements, and should push bioshock/dead space at that res easy enough.

Still going to be tight on the power requirements though.
 
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Just curious...are you on a tight budget or anything? (you didn't mention)
If not, I would suggest you spend may be £40 on getting this PSU:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-017-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

And THEN you can consider getting which graphic card at what price to meet your requirement.

And forget about SLI...any half decent gaming card would be capable of running games smooth at those res.

Seriously though...I REALLY don't think anyone should push their luck trying to game on a 120/150W system...
 
I have to apologise...I just googled silverstone Milo ml02...wow...I really had no idea it is THAT small! I now understand why you are so troubled...

Is it not possible for you to use other PC cases at all?
 
Second hand 4890 from M&M will be Perfect for you & you will be More than pleased with how it games.
I use a 4890 with my Benq monitor & my 40inch Samsung HD, I play Company of Heroes on my 40 inch for the extra viewing area & play FPS on my Benq.
My system specs are E6600, 4 gig of ram & the 4890 & I game a Lot & am not even thinking about upgrading. :cool:

Apologies. :o
I went off on one before taking in what I read in your OP about space & power.
 
I wanted to avoid it really as the case fites the set up its sitting in, paid £130 for a small av shelf so that i could use this case wich cost £160. Lot of money to take a large loss on.

Toying with the idea of using an ATX supply outside of the case sat behind my set up out of view, feeding the wires into the rear of the case. would give me a lot more leaway on the gp, just a bit more work
 
Kanifee said:
Toying with the idea of using an ATX supply outside of the case sat behind my set up out of view, feeding the wires into the rear of the case. would give me a lot more leaway on the gp, just a bit more work
Click to expand...
That is probably the best solution (that doesn't cost a fortune) to your circumstance I have to say...
 
One problem...I have just looked at the various different brand 5750/5770, and I just couldn't seem to find any that's single slot (Kanifee's case can only only use singe slot graphic card). If anyone can find one that's single slot do post the brand here.

Meanwhile, I'll look at other options that are cool running, single slot and enough run games smooth at 1024x768.
 
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