Graphics Card for HP Microserver N40L

[marshalex]

Hi All

After my attempt at using my microserver a a virtual host went out the window when shiny work laptop arrived I've decided to re-provision it as a media PC which I'd like to plug into my TV via HDMI so any recommendations on a cheap graphics card that will do the job recommended!

Thanks

[Bonebreaker777]

Any cheap card would do it I would say. AMD 5450/6450 or cheapest nVidia cards.

[DDY]

Careful, not any card will do. The x16 PCIe slot in the HP Microserver is limited to 25W of power rather than the usual 75W.

AMD's 5450 and 6450 consume less than 25W and are known to work.

[kompukare]

As well as the power requirements, the card needs to be low profile (half height) too and preferable come with the low profile bracket (a some don't or only come with a dual slot bracket).

But there are at least two wiki/fan pages:
http://n40l.wikia.com/wiki/Graphics_Cards
http://myhpmicroserver.com/wiki/Graphic_cards

[Bonebreaker777]

Ya would be any closer I could pass on my x1300 to you ;-)
Low profile, 256MB RAM...

[marshalex]

does it have HDMI out?

The other option I was looking at was just getting a sound card and using VGA, although I don't think the maximum output on the VGA is 1080P which would be an issue....

I may end up getting both graphics and sound card as my amp doesn't do audio pass through, which has put a spanner in the works....

[Bonebreaker777]

Naa.No HDMI.
If you would like to have 1080p then same again as before. 5450/6450.
On eBay you can get them for £10 with postage.

[marshalex]

I'll take a look at those later on. Just need to decide on whether to get a sound card or not to get things through the amp or to just get a better amp

[scaryjim]

The other option I was looking at was just getting a sound card and using VGA, although I don't think the maximum output on the VGA is 1080P which would be an issue....

VGA will happily run 2048x1536@60Hz, so 1080p won't be a problem. And it's the HD4200 chipset, so it's got a decent UVD block. If I was you I'd stick with VGA + soundcard option, cheap and (relatively) easy...

[marshalex]

Exactly what I wanted to know. Have ordered an Asus Xonar to go in the microserver and will use the onboard VGA.

Thanks

[Bonebreaker777]

Good for you. Can the onboard GPU cope with media decoding out of interest...

[scaryjim]

should be able to, it's the HD4200 iGPU which has a UVD3 block (same as the 4000-series discrete cards). My old HTPC used the same chipset...

[Bonebreaker777]

Sweet.Good to know, just in case.

[Bonebreaker777]

The card I got turns out to be a AMD 3450 256MB.
Oh well.
P.S. where could one get a full height PCI card bracket/backplate if his card got a low profile only?
Checked eBay, cheapest would be the same card from the USA with full height bracket/backplate. ..

[ChaosSystem]

I've been using the Nvidia G210 from EVGA to build XBMCbuntu machines from the NL40.
Graphics must be low profile and the heat sink must not take up a slot.
The PCI Express slot is up against the case so you will not have much space for a large heat sink or fan.