M-ATX Low profile GPU help request

[Jkernow]

Hi I know this might have been hashed out before but from looking into things there appears to be some alternatives I would really appreciate some advice with:

I need a good low profile GPU which at this time all I can tell from discussions is the MSI GTX 750 Ti - is this correct or is there a better item? Don't worry about cost for now, MB I'm attaching it to is an ASRock 970M Pro 3;
Next point is I am limited to a MATX so no other option is available, I am aware of the 90 Degree riser cards for the slots but this I can consider being an issue with a full size card in a MATX case (case is an Antec VSK2000-U3 HTPC)
Again case size is the maximum and only case dimension I can go for...
(Any advice on how to 90 degree a full size card in that thing is greatfully received, I have no idea where to start on a mounting bracket?)

 

[clutchc]

I've built with a few HTPC cases like that design you have. Ribbon cables are available to go from the PCIe x16 slot to the card, but there is no practical way to lay a full sized card in it even if it would fit under the drive bays. Cooling would suffer tremendously. The only way to use a full height card would be to leave it outside the case with the case open.

The GTX 750 Ti is the fastest L-P card I can think of. I have this one in my Dell Optiplex 790 SFF: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125680&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Video+Card+-+Nvidia-_-N82E16814125680&gclid=CKn6mePFj84CFQoJaQodHsINdQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
This one is another that is available: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127836&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Video+Card+-+Nvidia-_-N82E16814127836&gclid=CPjv5_PFj84CFYKFaQod_E0OPg&gclsrc=aw.ds

The GTX 950 is now being released w/o a 6-pin requirement. I suspect it will become available in L-P eventually too. But that doesn't help for the immediate solution.

 

[Jkernow]

I've built with a few HTPC cases like that design you have. Ribbon cables are available to go from the PCIe x16 slot to the card, but there is no practical way to lay a full sized card in it even if it would fit under the drive bays. Cooling would suffer tremendously. The only way to use a full height card would be to leave it outside the case with the case open.

The GTX 750 Ti is the fastest L-P card I can think of. I have this one in my Dell Optiplex 790 SFF: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125680&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Video+Card+-+Nvidia-_-N82E16814125680&gclid=CKn6mePFj84CFQoJaQodHsINdQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
This one is another that is available: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127836&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Video+Card+-+Nvidia-_-N82E16814127836&gclid=CPjv5_PFj84CFYKFaQod_E0OPg&gclsrc=aw.ds

The GTX 950 is now being released w/o a 6-pin requirement. I suspect it will become available in L-P eventually too. But that doesn't help for the immediate solution.

Thanks for replying clutchc, the second card is the one I'm going to most likely get, I did have concerns with the cooling, that case and a full sized GPU, but like most I lived in hope. Would be an interesting mod for the outside though, that might be a bit beyond me, case size while still allowing the unit to breath is the issue. I will keep an eye on the GTX 950 would be good if they went the same way with the 750.

 

[clutchc]

Is replacing the HTPC case with a more conventional case an option?

 

[Jkernow]

Is replacing the HTPC case with a more conventional case an option?

Not easily no, I'm limited in respect of the space it is going to fit into, for perspective I currently have a Dell Precision 470 (horizontal) that fits the space like a glove, however it has no room for air flow and overheats, this plus it's now 11yrs old is the reason for change (and its also a Dell so upgrades are a pain in the ass - another reason to move away from them) I liked the workstation for what it was but Dell just makes life harder.

So the thinking was the case size I've chosen would fit and give enough room for the unit to operate without suffocating in the space its in which is open at the front but has only a hole at the rear about 7cm diameter.

I can't mod the space it fits in sadly hence the difficulties.....might have some room on the case depending on how well it would hold up in that space and I also have zero experience with water cooling, closed system or otherwise.

 

[phillipe]

I've built with a few HTPC cases like that design you have. Ribbon cables are available to go from the PCIe x16 slot to the card, but there is no practical way to lay a full sized card in it even if it would fit under the drive bays. Cooling would suffer tremendously. The only way to use a full height card would be to leave it outside the case with the case open.

The GTX 750 Ti is the fastest L-P card I can think of. I have this one in my Dell Optiplex 790 SFF: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125680&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Video+Card+-+Nvidia-_-N82E16814125680&gclid=CKn6mePFj84CFQoJaQodHsINdQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
This one is another that is available: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127836&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Video+Card+-+Nvidia-_-N82E16814127836&gclid=CPjv5_PFj84CFYKFaQod_E0OPg&gclsrc=aw.ds

The GTX 950 is now being released w/o a 6-pin requirement. I suspect it will become available in L-P eventually too. But that doesn't help for the immediate solution.

In fact, it has been released. Japan's Galax has released a LP version of the 950 like a week or 2 ago, and European company kfa2 (which I think is the same people) did as well
So that's the current beefiest LP card with 750ti ranking 2nd.

 

[clutchc]

I've built with a few HTPC cases like that design you have. Ribbon cables are available to go from the PCIe x16 slot to the card, but there is no practical way to lay a full sized card in it even if it would fit under the drive bays. Cooling would suffer tremendously. The only way to use a full height card would be to leave it outside the case with the case open.

The GTX 750 Ti is the fastest L-P card I can think of. I have this one in my Dell Optiplex 790 SFF: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125680&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Video+Card+-+Nvidia-_-N82E16814125680&gclid=CKn6mePFj84CFQoJaQodHsINdQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
This one is another that is available: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127836&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Video+Card+-+Nvidia-_-N82E16814127836&gclid=CPjv5_PFj84CFYKFaQod_E0OPg&gclsrc=aw.ds

The GTX 950 is now being released w/o a 6-pin requirement. I suspect it will become available in L-P eventually too. But that doesn't help for the immediate solution.

In fact, it has been released. Japan's Galax has released a LP version of the 950 like a week or 2 ago, and European company kfa2 (which I think is the same people) did as well
So that's the current beefiest LP card with 750ti ranking 2nd.

Is it available in the US?

 

[phillipe]

I've built with a few HTPC cases like that design you have. Ribbon cables are available to go from the PCIe x16 slot to the card, but there is no practical way to lay a full sized card in it even if it would fit under the drive bays. Cooling would suffer tremendously. The only way to use a full height card would be to leave it outside the case with the case open.

The GTX 750 Ti is the fastest L-P card I can think of. I have this one in my Dell Optiplex 790 SFF: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125680&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Video+Card+-+Nvidia-_-N82E16814125680&gclid=CKn6mePFj84CFQoJaQodHsINdQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
This one is another that is available: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127836&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Video+Card+-+Nvidia-_-N82E16814127836&gclid=CPjv5_PFj84CFYKFaQod_E0OPg&gclsrc=aw.ds

The GTX 950 is now being released w/o a 6-pin requirement. I suspect it will become available in L-P eventually too. But that doesn't help for the immediate solution.

In fact, it has been released. Japan's Galax has released a LP version of the 950 like a week or 2 ago, and European company kfa2 (which I think is the same people) did as well
So that's the current beefiest LP card with 750ti ranking 2nd.

Is it available in the US?

After posting I was checking online and I don't think it is. Amazon Japan, and Europe stores. Didn't even find it in UK Amazon.
I found a shopping search engine which popped many German stores mostly (the kfa2) version.

If you are bound to US retailers I suggest maybe holding on the purchase a little bit.
The 750ti was made in low profile by only 3 companies:

-galax/kfa2
-msi
-gigabyte

So a couple weeks ago Galax/kfa2 release the 950, maybe give MSI and gigabyte a chance to step up their game.

If in a couple weeks there is no news of a 950 (or who knows, maybe a 1060) low profile, go ahead and get a 750ti. I currently use one with my ML06e case and it runs all current games without issues (some in lower settings than others).

I haven't upgraded cause I backed a kickstarter for a small case that accepts full sized cards and will wait for it before taking GPU decisions.

But If I had to upgrade I would give it a couple weeks before getting a 950.

Sorry for the long long answer, just had my coffee and it makes me super chatty.