Low Profile Graphics Card for Slim PC

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Antwan2

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Nov 13, 2014
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I have a slim Lenovo PC that I love dearly but there is one problem with it... the integrated chip inside is terrible. Any game or program that requires DirectX 9 will struggle or even not work at all. I'm not looking for anything super stunning, I just need a card that would actually run games slightly better. I'm not looking to install Battlefield 4 or anything, but I'd love to play the HD remake of AOE2 at least.

Here are my specs:

OS: Windows 7 Home 32-Bit

Orientation: Horizontal
Dimensions: 3.5" height x 10.7" width x 10.9" depth

RAM: 2 x 2GB
Power: 280W
Hard Drive Space: 750 GB
Hard Drive Speed: 7200 RPM

USB Ports: 2 front, 6 back
USB Version: 2.0
Motherboard Slots: 1 PCI Express x16 slot, 1 PCI slot

Integrated Graphics: Intel GMA 3100 (256 MB)
Integrated Sound: ADI1882
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.66 GHz)

Pictures:
http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Cappantwan/media/PCISlots_zps13e90e75.jpg.html
http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Cappantwan/media/Computer_zps42e85e67.jpg.html
http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Cappantwan/media/Computer2_zpsd0018337.jpg.html
http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/Cappantwan/media/Computer3_zps21c96954.jpg.html

For the record, I have tried to purchase a low end graphics card ( http://tinyurl.com/nxqso2j ), but sadly this one was even too big for my case. It makes me fear that I either have to accept my computer the way it is or get a bigger case (and I have no idea how to even begin doing that and makes me fear that I'll break something).

I'm at a loss on what to do and if I need more components if I'm still missing things to make it work. Can anybody help? I've asked this question twice on other places and I'm losing hope.
 
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Karsten75

Karsten75

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Oct 15, 2009
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You gave so much detail - could you also provide the model number of your PC? like Thinkstation x45? And the model number like 3452-145.

I will tell you that the PC appears to be quite old. You can reasonably consider getting a newer slim build that will solve all your problems easily. Getting attached to electronics is a futile attachment that ends with symptoms of unnecessary grief every 5 years. My sister is like that and now struggles with a 9-year old laptop to do things my smartphone can do.
 
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Antwan2

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It's a refurbished Lenovo Thinkcenter M57. I bought it last year at a low price. Sadly, it actually is better than my old computer in almost every way and I had to stick with that one for a long time. Really, the graphics card is the only thing that's keeping me from enjoying this computer 100%, because otherwise I'm very happy with my purchase.
 
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Karsten75

Karsten75

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There are a number of different models within the Thinkcenter M57 line (even one that has a full-height slot) . Can you find the machine model and type number as well? it is in the form of 7 numbers/letters like this: mmmm-ttt

However, I looked at the Lenovo forums: http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/A-M-and-Edge-Series-ThinkCentre/Lenovo-M57-ThinkCenter-PCI-e-graphics-card-upgrade/td-p/860155

You can find that card here: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/100-New-NVIDIA-GeForce-9300-GS-512MB-S-Video-VGA-DVI-Low-Profile-PCI-Video-Card/1264084922.html

 
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Karsten75

Karsten75

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often those "metal bits" (brackets) have a substitute bracket for a low-profile or half-height slot.

Something like this, Look carefully and you'll see the card has one bracket and two more are shipped to accomodate a choice of outputs in a half-height slot.

http://www.amazon.com/Inno3D-Geforce-graphics-express-profile/dp/B0062CWKCQ/

 
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ko888

ko888

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Feb 18, 2009
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By removing the full size bracket that is installed by default. You can use a socket driver of the appropriate size or an adjustable wrench or fixed size wrench or even pliers to unscrew the two screw posts around the DVI port that are holding the bracket to the card. Replace the full size bracket with the low profile bracket and reinstall the two screw posts. Install the card into your PC's PCI-E slot and plug the monitor into the appropriate DVI or HDMI port.
 
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Antwan2

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Nov 13, 2014
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Thank you, I will keep this video in mind, Karsten. You all have helped me way more than any other forum did and you were all much more friendlier. I definitely keep this site in mind if I ever have more troubles. Peace!
 
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