Slimline pc graphics problem

[herrity86]

I own a hp pavilion slimline s3811uk, 2gig ram 180psu,win7 64bit, I wanna upgrade the graphic card as the onboard one can barely handle any game released after 2005,iv done sum research and I think the MSI ATI Radeon HD6570 1 GB DDR3 VGA/DVI/HDMI Low Profile PCI-Express Video Card is the best for my price range but am unsure if its compatible or if it will fit into my slimline pc,please help

[ShyguyXPC]

The problem isn't just your cases size, the video card should fit, but your Power Supply is too weak to run the card, 180W is no good for any sort of add in Video card, just enough for the stock system, and maybe an expansion card like a sound card, or USB or drive controller card, but nothing more.

problem with these cases are Upgrade Power supplies are hard to find, or even non existent.


Usually my best advice with users with this problem, is buy a new bigger case, that you can migrate the board, and parts into, as well as use a standard Micro ATX or Full size ATX Power supply into, and be able to use a dedicated video card.


Somewhere around here in the last week or so, another member was looking at upgrades for a similar sized System, for the same reasons, and I priced together some parts (Case, PSU, Card reader) etc, for them to look at to be able to use a better video card in it.

[RicheemxX]

Yeah sadly people buy these slimline PCs and even AIO machines thinking they can make them gamers when they were never designed for that. As Shy said if you plan on doing any upgrading you are going to be better off with a bigger case.

Even if you go that route, check the games you are playing. That C2D E2200 might hinder performance a fair bit on most newer games.

[marknjas033]

Slimline cases are the bane of my existence. Sure they look really pretty but that's about it. Personally they should just stop with these microATX and nettop builds! Grah!!! ... Okay, so I'm a little passionate about it! You have no idea how many people come to me and ask to upgrade their systems and they have slimline PCs.

Working within the confines of laptops are difficult enough but possible given the fact that, typically (depending on the make & model laptop), options are available. But MicroATX? You know what it's good for? Nothing. Not to mention as Shy said that you'll typically need to also improve upon PSUs if adding more high end components which is difficult in micro.

Very little room in those things. And those nettopic systems? the Macs with the all-in-one monitor and computer setup together? Don't even get me started. Heating issues are triple in MicroATX and nettop builds. Sure the manufacturers claim otherwise but they are liars.

/rant Sorry Herrity, this really didn't involve your system. I hope you can find a solution that meets your needs or migrate into a larger chassis which I also recommend.

[ShyguyXPC]

Those slim lines aren't even MicroATX, there more closer to Mini ITX and the seldom seen Mini DTX form factor, which I think is what is in that system, since DTX was something AMD was pushing for design, Like Intel did with BTX.

MicroATX isn't bad really, neither is Mini ITX, depends on the companies that make cases, Power supplies for them.

Their still niche markets and the parts are going to be hard to find.

If you know what your looking for, building a Mini ITX system is the only way to go, not buy one already put together. The latest crop are Net Top PC's. these are impossible to upgrade aside from RAM or storage, and thats about it.

If there was a more standardized form factor and dimension for Mini ITX and smaller Power supplies, then much of the upgrade options on these low powered PC's wouldn't be so bad.


Depending on your MicroATX case, Heating might not be a problem, the problems lie in case design and layout...

Take these for example:

Personally this is my favorite MicroATX case right now, aside from the Thermaltake LanBox Cases: Newegg.com - NZXT Crafted Series Vulcan Black Steel / Plastic Gaming mATX Computer Case

Newegg.com - Thermaltake ARMOR A30 VM70001W2Z Black SECC MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case

Newegg no longer has them in stock, but the one above is a modified variant of them.



And 2nd after those is the Silverstone Sugo Series MicroATX cases.


For Mini ITX, Lian Li, and Silverstone have the best for space and ability for using Standard ATX PSU's and room for regular size Video cards, in fact both companies have cases that can hold a GTX 580 Graphics card, and even the longer 590 or Radeon 6990 if needed.

Silverstone has a $200+ Case that can accomodate those, along with one of their 600W PSU's in it. Though the cases length is oversized for Mini ITX. but allows a person to use a Mini ITX board with a full speed x16 PCIe slot on it with those cards.

As long as you use a Modular PSU in these cases, the problems aren't so bad. Worst problems is room for an aftermarket CPU Cooler.