Help choosing card for SFF system

[rb1980_sd]

Help! I can't choose which graphics card to replace the one that went bad in my system.
I have a ACER X1700-U3700A SFF case and the G100 card in it stopped working.
I want to replace it with hopefully something a little better, but am having trouble finding a LP card that can meet the power limitations of the wimpy PSU (220W). The other limiting factor is the PCIe slot is very close to the wall of the case, and not much room for a fan or heatsink, so the lower profile the better: i'm thinking fanless. I don't need much oomph, just something for general use with the occasional movie playback over HDMI. Sub- $50 is price range.
How "strict" are the power ratings on cards? The lowest I was able to find on newegg says "300W power supply recommended"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500151
Will my box be able to power this card at all? Is a GeForce 8400 at least comparable to the G100?
Thanks for any advice.

 

[rb1980_sd]

another post on this forum recommends this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131180
so if i had to choose between the 2, which is better? The specs look pretty identical.
I like the fact that the zotac has a lifetime warranty....

 

[jyjjy]

I would recommend the HD5450 instead if you aren't going to be gaming at all;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%20106793261%201067955197&name=Radeon%20HD%205450

 

[flyinfinni]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131339
Give that a look. Its low-profile, fanless cooling, and its got DX11 support and bit-streaming audio, etc. Check out Anand's review here:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3734&p=15

 

[rb1980_sd]

Thanks, guys. I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the powercolor. I saw other reviewers mention they are using it with lower powered psu's successfully, so that sold me. Will post back with results once it arrives.

 

[flyinfinni]

cool man- hope it works well for ya.

 

[rb1980_sd]

Best answer selected by rb1980_sd.

 

[rb1980_sd]

So far, this POWERCOLOR AX5450 512MK3-SH card has turned out to be perfect for this system: gave this little PC a nice boost... My "Windows Experience Index" Graphics score went from 3.8 to 5.1 and Gaming Graphics from 3.2 to 6.3.
It's nice and skinny to fit in a single slot and no fan=quiet! Seems to run cooler than the G100 card I replaced that had a fan.