What size graphics card do I need?

What size graphics card do I need?

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Johnnytheboy

Original Poster:

24,498 posts

186 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
I suspect my father's gfx card in his office PC is dying - the fan is getting very noisy when worked hard.

Looking at it (writing on it now) the interface plate (terminology alert!) visible from the back of the PC is shorter than I'm familiar with. It's approx 2.5" long.

If I set out to buy him another, what is this size/protocol called?

The PC is an off-the-shelf HP s5000 'Pavilion Slimline' if that helps.

I'm not worried about what spec of card I get, just the size. smile

Johnnytheboy

Original Poster:

24,498 posts

186 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
It looks like this size...



Rather than this...



Both Google Image results for PCI Express.

smile

Johnnytheboy

Original Poster:

24,498 posts

186 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
moleamol said:
Is it not easier to just pull it out and compare it?
Compare it to what?

Johnnytheboy

Original Poster:

24,498 posts

186 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
Yeah, good one, what I meant was I'm not sure I'm clever enough to compare a gfx card in my hand with a picture on the internet.

I assumed, mistakenly it would appear, that someone would instantly know what this type/size of card would be.

Johnnytheboy

Original Poster:

24,498 posts

186 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
Ah gotcha, sorry my eye was drawn by the large illustrated posts that were just taking the piss.

Johnnytheboy

Original Poster:

24,498 posts

186 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all

Johnnytheboy

Original Poster:

24,498 posts

186 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
quotequote all
TonyRPH said:
Yes, I would probably go with this one

Just note that this has DVI and HDMI connectors - so if your monitor only has VGA - you'll need an adapter.

Also - in the link you posted, nearly all were standard profile - you need a low profile card I think?

ETA: I would avoid a passively cooled one - as you may not have enough physical space to accommodate it.
Sincere thanks to everyone that has been helpful.

I apologise if I have been less than comprehending of the posts with more technical detail in. Having posted the question on my father's PC I've only been able to look at the thread occasionally on a little screen since then, so have missed some of the detail among the silly pictures.

If it was my own PC I'd whip it out, photo it and post the pic, but my father was terrified enough at me opening the case - removing the card and playing round with it may have been the last straw!

I'll order the one Tony recommends; as for it being DVI/HDMI, the existing one is the same I think, with the VGA monitor cable hooked up via an adapter to the DVI port already.

My reason for thinking the card is on its way out is that the fan is getting very noisy, especially when worked, so I guess it's only a matter of time?

Johnnytheboy

Original Poster:

24,498 posts

186 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
quotequote all
techiedave said:
Yes BUT the fan might just need a good clean !
Tried that. Didn't seem to improve things.

Johnnytheboy

Original Poster:

24,498 posts

186 months

Saturday 11th April 2015
quotequote all
TonyRPH said:
Yes, I would probably go with this one

Just note that this has DVI and HDMI connectors - so if your monitor only has VGA - you'll need an adapter.

Also - in the link you posted, nearly all were standard profile - you need a low profile card I think?

ETA: I would avoid a passively cooled one - as you may not have enough physical space to accommodate it.
Father bought the card you recommended and it was a straight swap with no dramas (preserving my bizarre rep with him as an IT guru).

Sadly the poverty of his broadband speed means that the latest driver is going to take 100 mins to download.

Thanks again for the helpful contributions to this thread. smile