marsdenprimary Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 Hi, We have an IT suite filled with HP Compaq dc5700 small form factor PC's. I want to install the Microsoft Kodu Game Development software but it doesn't seem like the on board graphics can handle it. Are there any graphics cards that would be suitable for the job that would fit into one of these machines?? All suggestions appreciated! Jay xxx
3s-gtech Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 Take a look at the Radeon 6570 - available in SFF, cheap, and it's a proper 3D capable graphics card (where the 6470 is a bit weedy). I just bought a batch of 5570s for the same job (same type of card but last generation). If you have x16 PCI-E slots, you'll be fine with any DX11 SFF part from Nvidia or ATI as long as they're not the most basic models. 1
marsdenprimary Posted June 7, 2011 Author Posted June 7, 2011 (edited) My experience of upgrading GFX cards is limited...do you have any links or anything to those cards you are referring to? Our budget is probably £50 or less. I also noticed that the slot for the GFX card says next to it "ADD2 support only" Thanks for your help x x Edited June 7, 2011 by marsdenprimary
3s-gtech Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 Sapphire HD 6570 1GB DDR3 DVI VGA HDMI PCI-E Graphics.. | Ebuyer.com as an example (you should be able to get a discount for bulk, and the ex VAT price is under £50). These come with a low profile bracket, you just swap the bracket over for your PCs. We bought these Sapphire HD 5570 1GB DDR3 DVI VGA DisplayPort PCI-E.. | Ebuyer.com, good deal cheaper, still a decent card but a little less power than the 6570. 1
marsdenprimary Posted June 7, 2011 Author Posted June 7, 2011 Thankyou! Would the "ADD2 support only" next to the slot make any difference?
mac_shinobi Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 Might be worth while reading the documentation for Microsoft Kodu Game Development software to see if there are any supported graphics cards or which ones work better - not to say that they wont work but for the sake of taking 10 mins to check, it wont hurt to find out. 1
plexer Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 *NOTE: The dc5700 supports Normal (or Non-reversed) layout ADD2 (Advanced Digital Display 2) adapter cards inserted into the SDVO (Serial Digital Video Output) connector on the system board. This connector has the physical appearance of a PCIe x16 connector; however, conventional PCIe cards are not supported in this connector. ADD2 Support Only in PCIe Slot Looks like you can't just use a normal PCIe card. Ben 1
Arthur Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 (edited) The small form factor DC5700 has a PCIe x1 slot for a low-profile graphics card. However, unless it's open ended, you may have a problem fitting an x16 PCIe card into it. http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12545_ca/12545_ca.pdf I was going to suggest the HIS Radeon HD 5450 Silence 1GB (P/N: H545H1GD1) but they are really hard to find in the UK. Edit. The PDF above states the following on page 46 so I reckon you will be okay. 2 x empty low profile PCI slots 1 x empty low profile PCIe x1 slot 1 x empty SDVO/ADD2 slot Edited June 7, 2011 by Arthur 1
marsdenprimary Posted June 7, 2011 Author Posted June 7, 2011 The documentation says: A graphics card that supports DirectX 9.0c and Shader Model 2.0 or higher is required... So I'm still not sure but am I scuppered if I want to upgrade the graphics card??
Arthur Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 (edited) This PNY Quadro NVS 290 graphics card would work. It supports DirectX 10 / SM 4.0 and will fit in a PCIe x1 slot. The NVS 290 is essentially the same as a GeForce 8400GS or 8500GT. Edited June 7, 2011 by Arthur Spelling 1
marsdenprimary Posted June 7, 2011 Author Posted June 7, 2011 This PNY Quadro NVS 290 graphics card would work. It supports DirectX 10 / SM 4.0 and will fit in an PCIe x1 slot. The NVS 290 is essentially the same as a GeForce 8400GS or 8500GT. Thanks Arthur. I'm gonna get one ordered to see if it does the job- if it does then that'll be awesome!! Thank you much for finding this information for me!!! SUPERSTARS the lot of ya!! Jay xxx
3s-gtech Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 Damn - I tried to check the Quickspecs for those machines to see if they had PCI-E x16 slots, sadly our county provided internet connection runs through a proxy/filtering server running on a 1980s Casio calculator, and it took five minutes to load a Google search about it. As mentioned - you have options for PCI-E x1 cards, though they're slow - most will support DX 9.0c. 1
Arthur Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 (edited) Just noticed on page 9 of the QuickSpecs PDF, it lists the maximium power requirements for each slot. For the PCIe x1 slot it's 10 watts. However, the Quadro card uses 21 watts. Edit. Found an alternative gfx card, but it uses 18 watts... Zotac ION-GPU-A-E (~£35.54) Edited June 7, 2011 by Arthur 1
mac_shinobi Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 Just noticed on page 9 of the QuickSpecs PDF, it lists the maximium power requirements for each slot. For the PCIe x1 slot it's 10 watts. However, the Quadro card uses 21 watts. I'll see if I can find an alternative graphics card. Found this one : Amazon.com: ATI FireMV 2250 256MB PCI-Express x1 Video Card 100-505179 - Retail: Electronics Although cant find a power rating for it http://www.scan.co.uk/products/256mb-ati-firemv-2250-pci-e-%28x1%29-gddr2-dms-59-s-video-sff-oem 1
Arthur Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 The FireMV 2250 is based on a version of the RV515 GPU which was used in the Radeon X1300/X1300 Pro. That card uses around 18-30 watts. Perhaps it might be better to get the PCIe x1 graphics card HP mention in the PDF - a nVidia GeForce 8400GS (P/N: GJ120AA)? At least this is guaranteed to work. 1
mac_shinobi Posted June 7, 2011 Posted June 7, 2011 The FireMV 2250 is based on a version of the RV515 GPU which was used in the Radeon X1300/X1300 Pro. That card uses around 18-30 watts. Perhaps it might be better to get the PCIe x1 graphics card HP mention in the PDF - a nVidia GeForce 8400GS (P/N: GJ120AA)? At least this is guaranteed to work. Am sure IT Witch had issues with the 8400 GS - also have seen a lot of issues with the 8400 GS either having driver issues or over heating issues or a combination of the both Would be good to get some feedback to see how the OP gets on assuming they are getting the 8400 GS card , maybe get one for now and more later if it works 1
marsdenprimary Posted June 8, 2011 Author Posted June 8, 2011 The FireMV 2250 is based on a version of the RV515 GPU which was used in the Radeon X1300/X1300 Pro. That card uses around 18-30 watts. Perhaps it might be better to get the PCIe x1 graphics card HP mention in the PDF - a nVidia GeForce 8400GS (P/N: GJ120AA)? At least this is guaranteed to work. Would this work too: Gainward GeForce 8400GS 512MB DDR3 HDMI-DVI Out PCI-E.. | Ebuyer.com
3s-gtech Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 Probably not - it needs an x16 slot which it doesn't appear that you have. You'd need that, but with a very short PCI-E connector on the bottom. 1
marsdenprimary Posted June 8, 2011 Author Posted June 8, 2011 Am sure IT Witch had issues with the 8400 GS - also have seen a lot of issues with the 8400 GS either having driver issues or over heating issues or a combination of the both Would be good to get some feedback to see how the OP gets on assuming they are getting the 8400 GS card , maybe get one for now and more later if it works I'm trying to get hold of a 8400GS card for a PCI x1 slot and I'm going to see how it gets on as you suggest. Did IT Witch have similar machines to the ones we're using? These small form factor PC's are good but when it comes to graphics card upgrades what a minefield!!
3s-gtech Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 Your alternative is to go PCI instead. These will be slower again, but they're easier to find than PCI-E x1, and those PCs have PCI slots at least (though they're SFF). You may see the Nvidia FX5200 - avoid! The Radeon 9*** and X*** series only support DX 9.0b, but the X1** series have full 9.0c support. NEW ATI Radeon X1550 * 256MB * PCI * NO EXPRESS * DVI | eBay UK for instance. 1
marsdenprimary Posted June 8, 2011 Author Posted June 8, 2011 (edited) Your alternative is to go PCI instead. These will be slower again, but they're easier to find than PCI-E x1, and those PCs have PCI slots at least (though they're SFF). You may see the Nvidia FX5200 - avoid! The Radeon 9*** and X*** series only support DX 9.0b, but the X1** series have full 9.0c support. NEW ATI Radeon X1550 * 256MB * PCI * NO EXPRESS * DVI | eBay UK for instance. Right...and this is pretty much guaranteed to work? Edited June 8, 2011 by marsdenprimary
marsdenprimary Posted June 8, 2011 Author Posted June 8, 2011 Wow this is challenging!! The company I am getting the card from have offered this: Gainward NVIDIA GeForce 8400GS Graphics Card 256MB PCI-Express VGA/DVI/HDMI. Will this work??
3s-gtech Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 The PCI slot one will work. I don't think the Gainward card will work, it appears to be full height, PCI-E x16, and passive which is usually a bad idea in a SFF case without big fans. 1
marsdenprimary Posted June 9, 2011 Author Posted June 9, 2011 The PCI slot one will work. I don't think the Gainward card will work, it appears to be full height, PCI-E x16, and passive which is usually a bad idea in a SFF case without big fans. Wow. If this is the case then it's going to be tough finding 18 of the little monsters... Do you have any recommendations as to where I might be able source some cards that will work? A reputable company?
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