Best Low Profile Video Card

(October 16, 2009)

Low profile video cards fill a niche for those who wish to have a full computer system within a small form factor (SFF) shuttle chassis. Due to the space constraints of such cases – many of them measuring barely over 1 cubic foot in volume – standard-sized video cards are often too big. Low profile video cards are shrunk-down versions of midrange video cards. Many offer enough adequate performance to handle most games and provide much-needed gaming horsepower to SFF/HTPC computers that are traditionally thought to be underpowered.

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Sapphire 100253HDMI Radeon HD4650 512MB Low Profile Video Card

Why it's best:
Priced competitively and packing true dual display ports within its small bracket (DVI and HDMI), the Sapphire HD 4650 offers SFF gaming performance as well as consideration for those who intend on using their SFF builds as HTPCs connected directly to an HDTV. With a 55nm RV...read full reviewAvailable From:
Amazon.com

Why it's a best pick:
The Galaxy Geforce 9600GT is the powerhouse of the low profile video card lineup, offering 512MB of GDDR3 memory on a 256-bit memory bus. This means this video card is ideal for high resolution gaming without the bottlenecks of 128-bit memory buses on slower memory. Its 65nm... read full review

Available From:
Amazon.com    $149.99

Why it's a best pick:
For those seeking a passively-cooled low profile card, the XFX Radeon HD 4350 is a great choice. It comes with a VGA, S-Video, and DVI-D on a large-profile bracket. A user with a SFF chassis that only accepts low-profile brackets will have to remove the VGA port on the exten... read full review

Price Range:
$39.99 - $45.24
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Available From:
Mwave.com    $39.99
Buy.com    $45.24

Why it's a best pick:
The 9500GT may not have the power as its bigger brother, the 9600GT, but it has 512MB of GDDR2 VRAM that’s only limited by the 128-bit bus. The Sparkle version in particular has been chosen for its competitive pricing, lack of 6-pin power plugs, and low power usage. Th... read full review

Available From:
Amazon.com    $61.99

Why it's a best pick:
Similarly configured as the XFX Radeon HD 4350, the HIS Radeon HD 4350’s major difference is pricing and the PCI-e x1 bus that is used to connect to a computer. The x1 bus is somewhat limiting and its pricing is above that of traditional PCI-e x16 cards, leaving someth... read full review

Available From:
Amazon.com    $44.99
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