Low Profile GPU

[vertexx]

I'm doing an entry level low-profile mini-ITX build. Initially, I was looking at the Sapphire Low Profile HD 7750 as the best low profile single-slot GPU available. However, that card is no longer available.

I'm looking at this Zotac GT 640. Its a 2GB GDDR5 version with what looks like an updated GPU than the original 640's on the market (and hence all the ones I can find reviews for).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500309

Some examples I'm seeing in the specs:

GDDR5 vs. DDR3
Core Clock 1048 vs. ~550 Mhz
Direct X 11 support vs. Direct X 10

Is anyone familiar with this? Did NVIDIA release an updated GT 640 based on newer tech? How would this compare with the 7750 Low Profile?

Basically I'm looking for the best Low Profile Single Slot GPU available. The R9-250 LPs available are dual slot. The R9-240s are all DDR3, so I'd like to avoid that.

I generally have not gone with Zotac because of a bad rep, but this looks like pretty good tech here for the price.

Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks!

 

[rounakr94]

GT640 is a low performing bogus card. Please tell me your budget for GPU

 

[vertexx]

GT640 is a low performing bogus card. Please tell me your budget for GPU

My budget is the best low profile single slot card available.

I know the GT640 generally reviewed is low performing, but did you read my post with the updated specs in this card? This is not the original GT640 (it's actually been upgraded several times over the years, but I cannot find any reviews on this specific tech).

I'm looking to see if anyone knows anything about this particular variant and how it would compare to other single slot low profile GPUs available.

 

[rounakr94]

Thats just a factory overclocked GT640. See if this will fit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121633

 

[vertexx]

That's not low profile.

And the Zotac I linked is not just a factory overclocked GT640. There is more to that if you read the spec differences.

 

[rounakr94]

Looks like nvidia modified the card and released as GT640 DDR5. So with GDDR5 that gpu will be nearly as fast as a hd7750. But check the dimensions to see if it fits.

 

[rounakr94]

*Undefined

 

[vertexx]

I found this linked review showing the two variants of the 640. It looks like it trades blows with the HD7730. So not quite up to the 7750, but not bad either. The 2GB in the Zotac card should allow it to hold out a little better in later titles.

http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/graphics/59081-nvidia-gainward-geforce-gt-640-rev-2-gk208/

I'd really like to see that R7 250 in a single slot low profile version as a replacement for the Sapphire 7750.

Now I'll want to decide whether I go with this build based on a Pentium G or use the new Kaveri A8-7600 with the ability to add on an R7 variant GPU in crossfire as an upgrade down the road. Hopefully we'll see a few more R7 low profile options that truly replace that 7750.

This is meant to be a very small form factor homework PC that can do light gaming (Minecraft, Kerbal Space Program, and other Linux Steam Games). It's only going to have Ubuntu (and possibly SteamOS) installed.

We have 3 other gaming PCs in the house running an R9 280x, R9 270x, and GTX 660, so for this one, low budget and very small form factor are priorities.