Low-profile graphics card recommendation for an older system

[TRX4ever]

Hello,

 

I am new here and I was looking for some recommendations for an older system that I am planning on turning into a media center PC.

I acquired the system back in October when my school was giving the old classroom computers away to any student that wanted one. So I decided to pick one up just because.

 

When my parents got a look at the computer they asked if I could set it up as a media center pc so when i am at university next year they can Skype me. The only problem is that I need to get a graphics card in order to interface with our TV.

 

The system is as follows:

Model: Dell Optiplex 320

 

OS: Windows XP Pro 32-bit (planning on installing Linux mint with the cinnamon desktop later)

RAM: 2gb DDR2

CPU: Intel Pentium 4 with hyper-threading (3.0 GHz)

PSU: Stock 280 watt unit

Form Factor: Low-Profile Desktop (the kind that actually sits on top of the desk underneath the monitor)

 

I already began looking at options for a graphics card and so far I am stuck between a sapphire AMD Radeon HD 5450, and a Gigabyte Nvidia Geforce Gt 210 (my parents don't want me spending too much on the card)

 

Which one of these would you guys recommend? And if you think there might be something better suited for this system, feel free to suggest them to me, the more input the better

 

Thanks in advance!

[thekeemo]

@tmcclelland455

[madscientist56]

just get the cheapest lp card on pcpp

EDIT: i looked it up this is it --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130585&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

[Clyne]

GT620s were free at Fry's at BF. 

[flibberdipper]

@tmcceland

Fail tag.

 

Can you get a pic of the inside so I can see the expansion slots @TRX4ever? Don't want you to get a PCIe card only to find out it will not fit.

[SkimmyMcG]

I'd go with the Nvidia GT 210.

[WoodenMarker]

just get the cheapest lp card on pcpp

^ or eBay from a trusted seller.

[Laputacake]

You can lp 640s

[Wtalk2]

I would just grab a HD 5450 for cheap. They run pretty cool (I have a fanless MSI one) and can pretty easily play Minecraft and other lightweight games.

[TRX4ever]

Fail tag.

 

Can you get a pic of the inside so I can see the expansion slots @TRX4ever? Don't want you to get a PCIe card only to find out it will not fit.

I am at school right now so i can get a picture of the system later this afternoon

[flibberdipper]

I am at school right now so i can get a picture of the system later this afternoon

I'll be waiting. I know the feeling of being at school right now. (I have about 4 more hours left, ugh).

[Misanthrope]

This is way better than the others posted here: Low profile 750ti

 

http://store.galaxytechus.com/GALAXY-GeForce-GTX-750-Ti-GC-Slim-2-GB-GDDR5-PCI-Express-30-DVIHDMIVGA-Graphics-CardbrbrBONUS-Low-profile-brackets-now-included-free_p_90.html

 

[TRX4ever]

I'll be waiting. I know the feeling of being at school right now. (I have about 4 more hours left, ugh).

 

I have attached 3 pictures of the inside of the system. Let me know if they work for you

This is way better than the others posted here: Low profile 750ti

 

http://store.galaxytechus.com/GALAXY-GeForce-GTX-750-Ti-GC-Slim-2-GB-GDDR5-PCI-Express-30-DVIHDMIVGA-Graphics-CardbrbrBONUS-Low-profile-brackets-now-included-free_p_90.html

 

While I agree with you that this is the best in terms of performance, I think that it would be a little overkill when being paired with a 10 year old pentium 4. But thanks for the suggestion nonetheless

[kameshss]

Go with Nvidia GT610. Really a good low profile card!

[Misanthrope]

-snip-

 

Oh my, are you sure a PCI express cards would be even supported by that 15+ year old bios? I don't think so honestly.

[TRX4ever]

Oh my, are you sure a PCI express cards would be even supported by that 15+ year old bios? I don't think so honestly.

When I did a google search for this computer i came across this pdf (the a snippet of the page is attached) and it does say that there is one low-profile PCI-e 16x expansion slot.  

And I also came across other forums that seem to suggest that this computer does support PCI-e expansion cards.

[Misanthrope]

When I did a google search for this computer i came across this pdf (the a snippet of the page is attached) and it does say that there is one low-profile PCI-e 16x expansion slot.

And I also came across other forums that seem to suggest that this computer does support PCI-e expansion cards.

 

I think a safer bet would be to find someone who can sell you or just flat out give you an used card, I mean I know they aren't expensive but any money towards it might be wasted until you're 100% positive it will work instead of a single pdf that says so.

 

Or alternatively find a GPU from that era, they should be equally as cheap as newer ones and you might just need to replace thermal paste to get it to be in working order

[vlkn´]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-G9184-ATI-Radeon-X600-256MB-PCI-E-Video-Graphics-Card-DMS-59-Low-Profile-/380852529000?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item58ac946768

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Dell-PCI-E-DVI-Low-Profile-Graphics-Card-FH868-/291274285177?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item43d14ce079

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-JJ461-ATI-Radeon-X1300-256MB-PCI-E-Low-Profile-Video-Graphics-Card-DMS-59-/131321903937?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item1e93653b41

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NVIDIA-GEFORCE-8440-GS-PCI-E-x16-256MB-Low-Profile-DVI-S-Video-graphic-card-/261527093400?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item3ce43ac098

[TRX4ever]

I think a safer bet would be to find someone who can sell you or just flat out give you an used card, I mean I know they aren't expensive but any money towards it might be wasted until you're 100% positive it will work instead of a single pdf that says so.

 

Or alternatively find a GPU from that era, they should be equally as cheap as newer ones and you might just need to replace thermal paste to get it to be in working order

That second point is a good idea, I'll do some digging and see what comes up

[flibberdipper]

I have attached 3 pictures of the inside of the system. Let me know if they work for you

While I agree with you that this is the best in terms of performance, I think that it would be a little overkill when being paired with a 10 year old pentium 4. But thanks for the suggestion nonetheless

Thank god there is a PCIe slot in there.

 

I would go with a GT610LP as others have said.

 

Oh my, are you sure a PCI express cards would be even supported by that 15+ year old bios? I don't think so honestly.

Why do you think the slot is there in the first place?