Graphics Card Choice for Linux HTPC

NomNom said:
Phone them and confirm. It does however say: "Extra Low-Profile kit" and "low profile brackets bundled for fast setup!" and "- Low Profile Bracket Bundled: Yes ( 1 slots x 2 )"

So if you install the low profile bracket you will lose the VGA port. It's much better to go for the GT620 than the GT210 since the GT620 has a much newer HDMI port on it that has much more capabilities.
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I did call and the sales person says it will not fit, but I went through quite a few guides on the net that say it does fit, but you need to remove the motherboard first, slot the card, then put everything back together.

I don't expect the sales guys to know every card and possible configuration.
 
NomNom said:
Phone them and confirm. It does however say: "Extra Low-Profile kit" and "low profile brackets bundled for fast setup!" and "- Low Profile Bracket Bundled: Yes ( 1 slots x 2 )"

So if you install the low profile bracket you will lose the VGA port. It's much better to go for the GT620 than the GT210 since the GT620 has a much newer HDMI port on it that has much more capabilities.
Click to expand...

we do have plenty of the Asus GT610 vga cards in stock
http://www.esquire-shop.co.za/ProductDescription.aspx?id=1674042
 
Sparky_za said:
As above, I'm not sure if the heatsink is too tall?
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I have the Asus GT520 and as far as I can remember, I couldn't use it in my HP cause the heatsink was too tall, so it would not fit. Just be careful or ask if they have an open one to test to see if it will fit - takes less than 5 minutes to install the graphics card.
 
NomNom said:
Just be careful that the HDMI on that card does have some limitations than getting a 5 or 6 series card.
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so the POV GT210 wont be able ot handle the full mkv's? i was planning on getting this card.
 
weelzSA said:
I have the Asus GT520 and as far as I can remember, I couldn't use it in my HP cause the heatsink was too tall, so it would not fit. Just be careful or ask if they have an open one to test to see if it will fit - takes less than 5 minutes to install the graphics card.
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Dream crusher! ...lol... I will ask if they are willing to do that.
 
akescpt said:
so the POV GT210 wont be able ot handle the full mkv's? i was planning on getting this card.
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I think it will handle the video with no problems, but I have read on a few sites that it is limited to only stereo audio out.

Something I forgot to mention, I am reading articles specifically for Linux as that is the OS I plan to use. I'm not sure if the audio would be an issue when using a Windows OS.
 
Apologies to the OP for hijacking the thread, but all information is still relevant as I am looking at the exact same cards.
 
Sparky_za said:
Dream crusher! ...lol... I will ask if they are willing to do that.
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I know. I had full intent on using it and when I build my HP I was under the impression that any low-profile will fit so bought the card while on special a few months before I got my HP so had to end up using the GT210 from my kids PC and swap it with the GT520 but as I mentioned, I haven't had a single problem using the GT210 while watching all kind of media.
 
Looking at pictures of the GT620 I don't see why it won't fit?? The heatsink doesn't stick out at all, and the dimensions seem to be the same as the GT210.
 
Sparky_za said:
Looking at pictures of the GT620 I don't see why it won't fit?? The heatsink doesn't stick out at all, and the dimensions seem to be the same as the GT210.
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Are you sure it doesn't? From a quick look it seems that it might! But then again that could just be down to the angle of the image.

Scratch the last post, I am convinced it does stick out quite a bit

But again could just be the angle.
 
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Ok, so the GT620 is in, but it is an extremely tight fit, as in I wouldn't recommend it without at least trimming either the HP case or the GPU heatsink edge. It would only be at most 2mm and then would make a very comfortable fit. I'm not going to bother on mine.
 
Sparky_za said:
Ok, so the GT620 is in, but it is an extremely tight fit, as in I wouldn't recommend it without at least trimming either the HP case or the GPU heatsink edge. It would only be at most 2mm and then would make a very comfortable fit. I'm not going to bother on mine.
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At least you got it in :D
 
Some of you are referencing the "GT610" and "GT620" without mentioning the brand. The heatsinks are different from POV and Asus.

Has anyone got a fanless GT610 in, the photo Esquire posted looks huge
 
SpoonTech said:
Some of you are referencing the "GT610" and "GT620" without mentioning the brand. The heatsinks are different from POV and Asus.

Has anyone got a fanless GT610 in, the photo Esquire posted looks huge
Click to expand...

Good point, I am using the Asus as advertised on the Esquire website
 
SpoonTech said:
Some of you are referencing the "GT610" and "GT620" without mentioning the brand. The heatsinks are different from POV and Asus.

Has anyone got a fanless GT610 in, the photo Esquire posted looks huge
Click to expand...

Sorry, forgot to answer your second question. I have one here at work, and the heatsink is actually bigger than the Asus GT620. I doubt it would fit without significant modification.
 
@Sparky_za - so how is the GT620 going? I am considering upgrading my GT210 to the GT620 but will only do so if I will see major imporvements - at the moment the GT210 handles all my Blu-Ray and 3D Blu-Ray rips flawlessly. My only concern is whether the GT210 is HDMI 1.3 or 1.4 (I have been told the 1.4 gives better 3D quality ect - is this true even if my TV is full 3D and can convert 2D - 3D, sorry for the dumb question).

If anyone could help me out, I would really appreciate it.
 
Go for the GT610 - The PoV one that Esquire sells works 100% ( I've installed five or six of them )

Just remember to get an extra low profile bracket ( R30-odd ) at the same time, or you'll have to make two trips :)
 
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