Questions on a Dell 530s

[mikealstott40]

This is the first SFF computer I've ever had. As such, i don't know a lot about them other than it fits in with my media center. it's got whatever standard vid card in it now but i'd like to go ahead and get it outfitted with DVI/HDMI like my current setup. Can you guys suggest a solid video card for this size machine? I've got the DVI to HDMI cable and won't be sending audio across the card so an HDMI plug isn't necessary. Also I have no idea how much power this is going to require and realize i will probably have to upgrade the power supply. can you guys suggest a good one? thanks in advance for your help.

[vmong]

hey i jsut got a slimline pc but better than that one and i jsut bought this graphics card.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ATI-Radeon-X30...3286.m14.l1318
you need to get a "low profile" card.

hope that helps

[TheReaFireblade]

[pedant]

The 530s is actually a HTPC (Home Theatre PC) case, rather than a "SFF" (Small Form Factor) case - which are usually a cube shape.

[/pedant]





Welcome to the forums Mike

As stated above... whatever you'll be using the system for... it needs to be a low profile/half-height card you get.
Unless you intend playing the occasional game... any cheap card with a DVI connection - such as the one linked to above, will do ya

Just make sure you get one in the correct format - i.e. PCI-E or AGP!
Assuming the 530s is a fairly new system... it'll most likely be PCI-E (again... like the card linked to above)?

[staffsMike]

[pedant]

The 530s is actually a HTPC (Home Theatre PC) case, rather than a "SFF" (Small Form Factor) case - which are usually a cube shape.

[/pedant]

I would consider it an SFF like I'm sure most others would. You could consider it an HTPC case if you really want but an SFF can be a tower style, a desktop style or a cube case.