Low budget card with passive cooling

[madsrh]

Hi

Can anyone recommend a cheap graphics card with passive cooling?

I'n NOT a gamer at all, but I do run applications such a Photoshop and AfterEffects. I prefer Nvidia cards if I have a choice.

I currently have this card (http://www.onyougo.com/powercolor-x550-128mb-video-cards-specs_pi424583e2), but even on a fresh boot with no applications running, it's really laggy when I'm draging windows around on the desktop.
I've been looking at this card: http://www.edbpriser.dk/grafikkort/gainward-8400gs-512-mb-id-5179758.aspx

Any advice is appreciated
//MadsRH

[Star Brood]

I found a few good prices here: http://search.eim.ebay.dk/Graphics_Vide ... es=1&elc=3

[just brew it!]

I recently ordered this one for a new workstation build at work. Just make sure to get a DisplayPort to DVI adapter if you want dual digital heads and don't have a DisplayPort-capable monitor. It'll even do triple-head if you run the third head analog.

I know you said you prefer nVidia, but I've been pretty impressed with this card -- passive single-slot cooling and triple-head capability for under $100 ain't bad!

Edit: Oh, I see you're probably in Denmark. I have no idea what availability of VisionTek products is like over there.

[UberGerbil]

but even on a fresh boot with no applications running, it's really laggy when I'm draging windows around on the desktop.

That sounds a little wonky. Even integrated graphics shouldn't show that -- heck, my old Athlon XP with a passive AGP graphics card didn't do that unless it was overcommitted and swapping like crazy. What are the rest of your system specs -- RAM, CPU, etc? It's possible you're not going to fix this problem with a graphics upgrade. (It's also possible there's something else going on, like background processes that are consuming too much CPU or a device/driver generating too many interrupts)

[Chrispy_]

I'm going to add support for the "this isn't a graphics card problem" movement.

Windows isn't laggy unless you have software/driver problems. I would start by checking for disk activity when the laginess happens. Assuming you're sure your PC isn't infected with a rootkit/malware/virus, I'd take a good look at graphics drivers and any programs that modify the way windows appears, such as those third-party theme packs and windows graphics customizations.

[madsrh]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Chrispy, UberGerbil --> I would like to think so too, but I don't know what else could be causing this then. My specs are:

OS: MS Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 @ 3.00GHz
RAM: 2,00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 333MHz (5-6-6-18)
Motherboard: ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5LD2-X/1333 (LGA 775)
Graphics: 128MB Radeon X300/X550/X1050 Series, PCI-express, GPU RV370, CrossFire Disabled
Monitor: SyncMaster (2048x1152@60Hz)
Hard Drive: 60GB INTEL SSDSC2CT060A3 ATA Device (SSD)

[just brew it!]

Do you have the Aero effects enabled? The RV370 pre-dates Windows 7 by quite a few years.

[madsrh]

Do you have the Aero effects enabled? The RV370 pre-dates Windows 7 by quite a few years.

This is a fresh install of Windows7 btw. Disabling Aero and selecting the theme Classic Windows, makes it run silky smooth and blazing fast.

[MadManOriginal]

Probably not enough VRAM for that resolution with Aero.

[just brew it!]

Probably not enough VRAM for that resolution with Aero.

Ahh, yes... 128MB is pretty small by modern standards. Even if the GPU is up to the task, it may be forced to swap textures to/from system RAM, which would cripple performance.

[BloodSoul]

Probably not enough VRAM for that resolution with Aero.

Ahh, yes... 128MB is pretty small by modern standards. Even if the GPU is up to the task, it may be forced to swap textures to/from system RAM, which would cripple performance.

I 2nd this 2nd .

I would recommend this 5450 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814150568)


Brew, out of curiosity, why did you recommend an $80+ 5450? Does VisionTek have good support or something?

[just brew it!]

Brew, out of curiosity, why did you recommend an $80+ 5450? Does VisionTek have good support or something?

That $35 one you linked has a pretty drastically cut down memory interface (DDR2 instead of DDR3 and half the bus width). It has half the VRAM too, but 1GB is overkill for a card of this class so I guess I don't really count that against it.

I also already had a DP-to-DVI adapter (but not a HDMI-to-DVI one); factor in the cost of the additional adapter and that shaves a few bucks off the price difference.

That XFX looks like a reasonable card if price is the overriding concern.

[BloodSoul]

Thanks for the input, these forums always teach you little things that you can't pick up anywhere else .

[DPete27]

That $35 one you linked has a pretty drastically cut down memory interface (DDR2 instead of DDR3 and half the bus width). It has half the VRAM too, but 1GB is overkill for a card of this class so I guess I don't really count that against it.

I can't really get behind a 5450 when a 6450 has twice the stream processors while also having DDR3 and 1GB of VRAM for basically the same price. JBI, I hate to burst your bubble, but unless a passively cooled card was a must, you could have gotten roughly 2.5x the GPU for the same cost by choosing a 6670. Too late now, I'm sure you had your reasons, I know you're plenty knowledgeable. The need for display port output with low end GPUs is somewhat uncommon so you obviously pay extra in that category.

To the OP: Passively cooled 6450's cost about $30 after MIR here in the states. If you're looking for an Nvidia equivalent, that would be the GT 520. Both the 6450 and GT 520 are right up your alley if you're not gaming, and for all practial purposes they perform the same. Just make sure you get the 1GB variants with 64-bit memory interface.