Low power, low form video card

[Tigger29]

Hey guys!  I've got a squaddie who was gifted a computer, and since beggers can't be choosers he's stuck with a Dell Inspiron 560S "Slimline" computer.

While it has a decent processor and ram, and a PCIe2 16X slot he's severely limited with a 300 Watt power supply.  And since it's one of those little "TFX" supplies, it can't really be upgraded (the biggest I can find is 320W for a good chunk of change - hardly worth it).

Performance-wise the onboard Intel GMA X4500 seems to work "decent" enough for him, but it's got the bug where distant planes show up as larger squares.  As a result, he wants to install a video card so that can be eliminated but does not want to lose performance in the process.

From what I can tell the low-profile ATI 5570 card may be his best option, I'm just concerned because a 400W is recommended.  Even though people claim it works fine on a 300W I'd like to hear from those who have had any luck with this.

By the way, the most graphics intensive thing he uses it for is Aces High.

Any suggestions?

[gyrene81]

i don't think anyone makes a 400+ watt mini-itx power supply...probably due to a lack of demand.

i did some digging around and found the visiontek radeon 5570 (1gb), 4350 (512mb) and 4650 (1gb) low profile units all have a 250watt minimum psu requirement...36 month on tiger direct and lifetime on newegg.

[The Fugitive]

Frankenstein it! Get a 500 watt and screw it to the side of the box! 

[gyrene81]

Frankenstein it! Get a 500 watt and screw it to the side of the box! 

there's an idea     ...just have to poke a hole in the case to pull the wires through...cut down on the heat too.

[Ghosth]

Or wire in a second 300 watt PS just for running the video card and drives.

There is always a way, think outside the box.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Or wire in a second 300 watt PS just for running the video card and drives.

There is always a way, think outside the box.

Like this guy?

[Tigger29]

i don't think anyone makes a 400+ watt mini-itx power supply...probably due to a lack of demand.
i did some digging around and found the visiontek radeon 5570 (1gb), 4350 (512mb) and 4650 (1gb) low profile units all have a 250watt minimum psu requirement...36 month on tiger direct and lifetime on newegg.

Everything I'm seeing on the ATI cards (5570, 4350, 4650) are showing a 400watt minimum in the specifications on newegg.  That's not to say they won't work with a 300 watt power supply, I'm just curious as to where you're getting your info.  I'd love to recommend a 5570 to him but I'd hate to see him throw his money away.  I'm having a hard time finding any real power requirements for these low profile cards.

Frankenstein it! Get a 500 watt and screw it to the side of the box! 

Or wire in a second 300 watt PS just for running the video card and drives.
There is always a way, think outside the box.

Yes those are decent ideas and if it were my own personal computer I might take that route (of course I'd never have let myself get into that position in the first place) but you have to keep in mind that he has little knowledge about computer hardware and also that this specific system was gifted to him brand new.  Since money is tight he's not in a position to just replace it with something else.  He's nervous enough about installing a video card on his own, let alone making a modification like that.  It's not like I can just go to his house and do it for him.  Also the last thing he wants to do is void the warranty.

[gyrene81]

Everything I'm seeing on the ATI cards (5570, 4350, 4650) are showing a 400watt minimum in the specifications on newegg.  That's not to say they won't work with a 300 watt power supply, I'm just curious as to where you're getting your info.  I'd love to recommend a 5570 to him but I'd hate to see him throw his money away.  I'm having a hard time finding any real power requirements for these low profile cards.

i looked on tiger direct specifications pages for each card...kinda bizarre considering even visionteks specs say 350 watt or better and amd's specs say 400 watt or better...

[Masherbrum]

This might fit in the case:   http://www.pcpower.com/products/description/Silencer_500_Dell/index.html

[Tigger29]

This might fit in the case:   http://www.pcpower.com/products/description/Silencer_500_Dell/index.html

Not even close.  I combined both images below to show you just how tiny these power supplies are.  I think I might recommend a GT430 to him.  While they are low profile, I could only find one that comes with a low-profile bracket.  From what I can tell the GT430 only requires a 300 watt power supply.  Is there anyone using one that wants to mention its performance?

[gyrene81]

   uhhh...tigger, look at the 12v amperage requirement...

Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 22 Amps

that mini-itx psu isn't putting out more than 10-12 amps on the 12v leg.

[Masherbrum]

Have him get a different dell case.......otherwise he appears to be s.o.l..

[Tigger29]

  uhhh...tigger, look at the 12v amperage requirement...

that mini-itx psu isn't putting out more than 10-12 amps on the 12v leg.

I saw that too, but on nvidia's website it makes no mention of the amperage requirement, only a 300watt requirement.  Considering that the card doesn't use an external connector, and that I can't think of ANY 300 watt power supplies that would supply 22amps I have to wonder if that's a typo.

[gyrene81]

well, if it doesn't have a separate power connector     then i think you're right it has to be a typo...like the stuff tiger direct posted on those ati cards.

[Tigger29]

well, if it doesn't have a separate power connector    then i think you're right it has to be a typo...like the stuff tiger direct posted on those ati cards.

Yup exactly.  He just ordered THIS CARD with the understanding that it might not work correctly.. but then again it's not like he's playing Crysis with it.

Thanks for the help, guys!