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Need low power/profile Graphics card for Media PC

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gerrym   01-26-2009 at 04:10:38 PM

I am trying to build a media PC with an HP dc7600 small form factor computer. My biggest contraints are the 240W power supply and the low profile PCI Express slot.

Any recommendations on a good video card? I will not be doing any gaming on this machine, just playing back video/movies. Thanks!

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Bronze Graphics badge jay2tall   01-26-2009 at 05:37:42 PM
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I'd go with a 9500GT, 240w should be fine for it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150319
even comes with a free low pro kit.

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gerrym   01-26-2009 at 06:07:48 PM
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Thanks. In the specs of this card below it mentions a 350W min PSU requirement. Is this conservatively rated?

System Requirements Minimum 350W or greater system power supply (with a minimum 12V current rating of 18A)

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Bronze Graphics badge jay2tall   01-26-2009 at 06:46:01 PM
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Yes. Here is a review that includes the 9500Gt using a Core 2 Extreme QX9770 @ 3.20GHz

http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] i=3420&p=6

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gerrym   01-26-2009 at 07:10:32 PM
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Ok, I figured it wasn't that simple. :) ...so can I assume that a 9400 would require less power than a 9500? I found another card on Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121292) that's a 9400 but it happens to have HDMI out, which I would prefer but not if it ends up using more power or a 9500 is measureable better than a 9400 for video (not gaming). HDMI would be nice but not required.

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Bronze Graphics badge jay2tall   01-26-2009 at 07:16:16 PM
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If you do not get the 9500GT I would opt for the ATI HD4550. It Doesnt have an HDMI port but has the DVI to HDMI adapter. And with an ATI card you get the built on 7.1 Surround sound as well through HDMI.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102799

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gerrym   01-26-2009 at 07:47:21 PM
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Ok, that's great appreciate the advise. Out of curiosity, if the card doesn't have HDMI how would I get 7.1 to my HDMI input? Special cable?

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Bronze Graphics badge jay2tall   01-26-2009 at 08:14:11 PM
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It comes with a little gray adapter that converts the DVi to HDMI. It also, somehow, passes the audio through the DVI connector to the HDMI connector. I am assuming using unused pins that the DVI output doesn't use.

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gerrym   01-26-2009 at 08:28:56 PM
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Interesting, I assumed DVI was strictly video only. Thanks again for the help!

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Bronze Graphics badge jay2tall   01-26-2009 at 08:39:12 PM
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DVI is video only, but I'm sure there are unused pins that they take advantage of to pass the audio. I have a 4870 and it installs an audio device that I can output to. I haven't tried it yet but was told its pretty snazzy.

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deanomeano   03-25-2009 at 05:05:32 PM
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what GFX card did you get in the end and does it run ok ?

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adz4321   06-10-2009 at 10:17:17 AM
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im also interested in what you used as im in the same boat as you, i was going to get a 8600gt but im told it requires more power.

any recommendations ? surley the ones mentioned above require more than 240w?

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