low profile cards?

[budec]

I'm building a mini PC for my gf, it has a slot; but it's low form factor (my card is twice tall as the case). Is there any low profile cards that give decent performance for gaming? The cpu/memory is good (3.2 core2duo, 4 gigs, etc). Doesn't have to be great, just something that could play tf2 or whatever.

 

[undertheradar]

So you aren't concerned with the 'thickness' of the card so much, as in, the number of slots that it takes up. It sounds like you are more concerned with the 'width' of the card, or the distance that it sticks out from the motherboard.

The only problem I see is that all PCI-slot cards will use a full width bracket, so no matter what the PCB dimensions are, the card's PCI bracket will still conform to the standard.

I have two suggestions:
1. Get an integrated chipset... I use the AMD 790GX chipset that actually runs Spore at full framerates.
2. A PCI-16x angle/riser card, for examples:
http://www.soarland.com/PCI_PCI-E_Riser_Card-catalog-54.html
Allowing you to mount the video card at an angle that is flat against the motherboard. Be careful when buying because they make them in multiple angles and thicknesses to mount the card flat down or up.

 

[lgestle]

The fastest low profile cards I have seen was this 9800GT:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187061

 

[serpretetsky]

The fastest low profile cards I have seen was this 9800GT:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187061

that 9800 would be able to play all source games flawlessly. Note all the reviews that say the card is hot though, make sure you have good cooling in that case.

 

[rUmX]

5570 LP.

 

[DanNeely]

You can buy low profiles brackets to replace those on half height cards which only come with a full size bracket. They only cost a few bucks.

 

[chklin]

The 9800GT is a pretty powerful card. However, you should carefully study your build before you buy it, because (a) it takes up two slots, and (b) it requires quite a bit of power (need a 6-pin connector) that the PSU in your mini PC may not be able to supply.

I would recommend the Radeon HD 5570 unless you really need the power of the 9800GT.

 

[Meleniumshane90]

4650/4670 or any low-profile 55-5700 series card will be plenty for a mid-level gamer

 

[randomhero58]

The fastest low profile cards I have seen was this 9800GT:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187061

There's a low profile GTS 250 too: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187098

 

[Gorankar]

There's a low profile GTS 250 too: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187098

Same card, different SKU.

 

[Necere]

Same card, different SKU.

Look at the specs. They're both based on G92, but the GTS 250 has double the RAM and 16 more stream processors (112 vs. 128).

 

[Gorankar]

Look at the specs. They're both based on G92, but the GTS 250 has double the RAM and 16 more stream processors (112 vs. 128).

My error.

 

[Red Falcon]

There's a low profile GTS 250 too: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187098

This is a good card and should work well.