PCFormat Forum Archive

I would like to upgrade my HTPC's G210 as I now recently acquired a 32" Full HD TV and the G210 just does not cut it for any sort of gaming...

I want the most powerful LOW PROFILE card...

Now I had a look at the ATi 5550, and it would seem that it is only the DDR3 version in low profile, the GDDR5 version is a full height card. After reading a few reviews, it would seem like a stupid idea going for the DDR3 version, as it is quite a bit slower then the 5... Then I have another issue, originally when I was shopping for a GFX card for the HTPC, I tried a HD3450 (IIRC) and it refused to work in my HP pc, that is why in the end I opted for the G210, it works fine. I am a bit scared of getting a ATi 5000 series card, in case it has the same issue...

So, besides the 5550 DDR3, what is available from the ATi stable?
Then on the nVidia side, what is the biggest low profile card available from them?
Lastly, as stated, should I try my luck with the ATi?

Cheers!

Approach a reputable vendor, tell him/her/it that you're unsure if the card will work in your machine and that if it doesn't work is he/she/it willing to take the card back and give you a refund. If not, ask the vendor if you can lug your machine there and let him/her/it install the card and get it to work. If it doesn't work you're not going to buy the card. If it does, happily pay the R50/R100/Rwhatever installation fee. This way you can avoid dropping a wad of cash on a card that won't work.

Just my 2c.

Why not try one of those PCI-e riser cards that changes the orientation of the graphics card? Then you can sommer buy a Geforce GTX460 (depending on the horizontal space available of course)

Studio Touch Visagie wrote:Why not try one of those PCI-e riser cards that changes the orientation of the graphics card? Then you can sommer buy a Geforce GTX460 (depending on the horizontal space available of course)

Nifty idea, but the machine is already fitted out to the max, I have a soundblaster and a tuner card in there too, no place left...

Studio Touch Visagie wrote:one of those PCI-e riser cards that changes the orientation of the graphics card?

Oh! That's what they're called. I saw them in our blade servers but didn't know what they were. OK, thanks.

How about a reference design Ati 4850?

KALSTER wrote:How about a reference design Ati 4850?

Erm, that's a full height card...

Check the size of the support brackets in the pic below, that is what i want size wise...

Ah, what a dolt I am!

The 5570 also comes as a low profile card with performance similar to a 4670.

Review.

KALSTER wrote:Ah, what a dolt I am!

The 5570 also comes as a low profile card with performance similar to a 4670.

Review.

Cool, thanks for the link. Looks like a decent card. Will shop around a bit, looks like the gt240 is quite a bit better at round about the same price, but it seems the card is not available in low profile