Almost there, just need a GPU...

[crazyfool]

hey guys,

I have finally decided to switch to a mini itx gaming rig. I already have a Silverstone SG05 case with the 450w psu, 4GB ddr3 and a Corsair H50. I am looking to get the following before Monday:
Gigabyte ITX Board - £87.20
i5 2500k - £155.99

I was just looking at going for the MSI Twin Frozr 560 Ti for £179.99 but a quick google looks like it dumps alot of heat back into the case. The most I can stretch to is £200 for the GPU so can someone recommend a cool, quiet GPU which will fit the SG05 (9.5" max) which dumps the heat out of the case through the back. I don't mind ATI or NVidia. It also needs to be around the same power draw as the 560 as I only have a 450w psu to work with. Also if it has the power connectors on the top it would be a bonus .

Anyone got any ideas?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The reference HD6870 1GB is around 9.6 inches in length so it will be a tight fit but uses top mounted PCI-E power connectors. The HD5850 1GB is around 9.5 inches in length but uses front mounted PCI-E power connectors.

There is the 1GB EVGA GTX 460 SC Super for around £132:

http://www.scan.co.uk/shopoffers/index.aspx

It is pre-overclocked so will consume more power and there is a version running at stock clockspeeds:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-e...dvi-i-minihdmi

[sk82jack]

For around £200 you could get a 6950 and flash to a 6970 if I'm not mistaken.

[dfour]

For around £200 you could get a 6950 and flash to a 6970 if I'm not mistaken.

Yeah but would it fit in the case?? My 6950 was longer than my 5850 card and it has rear facing pci-e power ports as well.

[sk82jack]

Yeah but would it fit in the case?? My 6950 was longer than my 5850 card and it has rear facing pci-e power ports as well.

Oh! Didn't read the OP properly, sorry. Yeah I'm pretty sure the 6950 doesn't fit into a Silverstone SG05.

Sorry about that.

Check out this

[crazyfool]

cheers for the replies. I have checked that link but that was before the 560 and 6950.
I'm pretty certain that a 560 will fit but I've read that the reference design is best for dumping heat out the back so doesn't anyone know a good reference 560?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

cheers for the replies. I have checked that link but that was before the 560 and 6950.
I'm pretty certain that a 560 will fit but I've read that the reference design is best for dumping heat out the back so doesn't anyone know a good reference 560?

The GTX560TI referance design does not have a blower type fan so will dump a reasonable amount of hot air into the case.

The GTX460 I suggested will vent hot air out of the case and so will a reference HD5850 card too. I have a reference HD5850 in my Shuttle SD37P2 SFF PC.

Edit!!

It looks like a reference HD5850 will fit an SG05:

http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=...4&postcount=19

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...se,2814-6.html

http://www.overclock.net/small-form-...5850-sg05.html

It seems that a reference HD6870 will also fit:

http://futuremark.yougamers.com/foru...d.php?t=138331

http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...w.google.co.uk

[crazyfool]

thanks for the reply mate
It looks like the 560 is out for the reasons you mentioned. That leaves a 5850 or a 6870, don't really want a 460. So what I need to know is, which is faster, which is cooler and which is the most efficient? I can't decide

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

thanks for the reply mate
It looks like the 560 is out for the reasons you mentioned. That leaves a 5850 or a 6870, don't really want a 460. So what I need to know is, which is faster, which is cooler and which is the most efficient? I can't decide

The HD6870 1GB is faster but consumes more power:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/H...D_6870/27.html

The HD6870 1GB does have better tessellation performance than an HD5870 1GB.

[Millenwagon]

I would reccommend this 2GB GTX 460, it's a good card and it's just about the right price you're looking at, not an oversized card either

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2gb-p...i-i-hdmi-d-sub

Here is a good list that gets updated very often listing the top cards, as you can see that 2gb 460 sits pretty darn high...
http://www.overclock.net/graphics-ca...time-last.html

[crazyfool]

thanks for al lthe help guys
in the end i went for an evga 460 1Gb which has external exhaust
ordered the rest of my kit too so hopefully next friday i'll have a beastly itx rig