Hi,

I have a DELL Dimension C521 (yes the slimline one), with an ATI X1300 Pro graphics card.

Like many others, I didn't realise when I made my purchase that I'd be limited on choice for graphics card upgrades.

My real question is what is the very best 'low profile' graphics card available ?

I purchased an HD 2400 Pro from ebuyer but that turned our to be half the speed of my X1300, despite all the boast about DX10, Shader model 4 and HD ready. My Vista gaming score dropped from 4.2 to 4.0 and other graphics testing utilities showed a significant drop in fps on 3D graphics. So I sent it back.

If anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it.

regards

dblyth2007

hmm how about this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102728
or something like this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814131084
idk much about low profile ones but i think those 2 might fit in that category.

Neither of those is low-profile. Low profile means they're about half-height except right at the back plate.

oh okay thanks for explaining that.
=]

how about this card? check it out. pretty weak card tho.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814103055

Radeon X1650PRO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814129076

GeForce 8600GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814145153

The 8600GT is the most powerful low profile card, behind that probably the 8500GT by MSI and then the X1650Pro. The 8600GT is at least good enough to play current games, although not at high settings.

you should be able to take all the insides out and drop it into a regular case. then you no longer have to be limited.

i like all these people who buy these low profile cases who then complain they cant upgrade anything in them.

thats the sacrifice you make when you buy something like that.

make sure your power supply is upto the job too... 350W minimum for a 8600GT

Get the 8600GT it's the best you can do at the present time.
You psu is fine. 700w psu for a 8600GT would be way overkill.
8600GT = 300w@18amps

Thanks for all the replies. I'd gone to many other forums and got no where. Just found out about this one yesterday.

The stats on the 8600GT looks spot on.

Thanks

dblyth2007