I'll stop the PVR and melt with you

[rosemary]

Okay, I'm looking for a new video card recommendation for a cramped media PC (an HP Pavillion 3330f). It currently has a GeForce 8500GT and a ViXS PureTV-U 48A capture card (I THINK that's the model #).

My media PC started going downhill, with a lot of clicking and locking up. When it really started getting unworkable, I tore it apart to find the video card looking like this:



Interior temperature as read by IR thermometer was about 150 F. Surface temperature of the heatsink was around 200 F.

Not good. Disassembly shows that the fan has warped somehow and rubbed against the screws, making the noise. I think that was just a symptom, though, and the general overheating was the actual problem. The plastic housing on the fan had cracked as well. It's possible that all this was reducing its efficiency.

So, I'm looking for a new video card. Here's some pictures of the media PC so you can see how much room I have (not too much). I put the capture card in-place in the last three pictures so you can see how much space it takes up. There's also a little removable breakout box with a black wire coming off it that just had an s-video jack.








Hope that helps show how much space is used. I can post updates if anyone wants something else specific.

So, basically, I'm looking for a good video card to fill that spot. I'm fine with sticking with the capture card as it's working fine for me in Sage. However, if there's really a better combo card or something, I'm open to that.

I'm running Vista, mainly because that's what came on it and it's worked fine for me in Sage. Will probably upgrade to W7 at some point later. I'm interested in something relatively cheap (definitely less than $200, preferably less than $100) and cool that has HDMI. The machine stays on basically 24/7. The cooling inside the machine isn't the greatest, as you can see.

I saw this Radeon 4550 suggested in another thread, but I wonder if the fanless ones are going to work with a case that warm.

Edit: Oh, I forgot to mention that I watch a lot of HD video. Some OTA recordings and a lot of divx/xvid/mkv.

[AJ Bertelson]

If you don't need to play video games I believe the 3450 is a good card for HD playback and runs the coolest.

[bcjenkins]

Hey Rosemary, thanks for that. Now I am going to have that song stuck in my head all day!

[SWKerr]

I have not found the 4550 to be all that hot. Much better than my older Geforce 8600. You probably need to add some airflow regardless it the old fan melted. Is there a vent on the cover that you could point another fan on. I suspect that you just are not getting any real airflow out of the case.

[rosemary]

Well, I've ordered the 4550 but now I'm wondering if I shouldn't have gotten the 3450. The prices are practically the same and the 3450 would seemingly run cooler, letting me get by without any change in airflow situation.

Any thoughts on the two cards vs each other in regards to a HD Sage box? Especially in regards to playing a lot of HD divx/xvid/mkv stuff and how it accelerates that.

[SHS]

Maybe next time you start cleaning your fan and check them ever 3/4 mos so things like that don't happing.
This would been best beat SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4650 which has 320 Stream Processors and 128bit Memory Interface and is better then that 4550 which has 80 Stream Processors and 64bit Memory Interface but you do need keep in mind you 300 Watt or greater power supply with any HD 43xx/45xx/46xx card you maybe able to get alway with 250watt min.
Fanless are a bad idea in small case like that

[rosemary]

Originally Posted by SHS

Maybe next time you start cleaning your fan and check them ever 3/4 mos so things like that don't happing.

Not really relevant, considering the dust bunny buildup wasn't actually on the heatsink and wasn't interfering with the fan operation. It might look bad, but the real problem was the heat warping the fan. Of course, it's especially not relevant because due to the enclosed design, you can't really easily get the dust out but just force it to wind up in the heatsink. Not exactly ideal.

This would been best beat SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4650 which has 320 Stream Processors and 128bit Memory Interface and is better then that 4550 which has 80 Stream Processors and 64bit Memory Interface but you do need keep in mind you 300 Watt or greater power supply with any HD 43xx/45xx/46xx card you maybe able to get alway with 250watt min.

Perhaps this is a good time to mention that it has a 160watt power supply. So yeah, I'll probably avoid trying to get more card than I need if it's going to ramp up the power draw. Apparently, on The highly rated HP Pavilion Slimline PC thread, the 4550 is known to work with the stock PSU. I think I may go ahead and get the Sparkle 270 watt CPU and two fans to strap on the back of the PC, though.

Fanless are a bad idea in small case like that

Normally, I'd agree, but considering how the tuner buts up right against the video card, the fan doesn't really do much for you.

[SHS]

Originally Posted by rosemary

Not really relevant, considering the dust bunny buildup wasn't actually on the heatsink and wasn't interfering with the fan operation. It might look bad, but the real problem was the heat warping the fan. Of course, it's especially not relevant because due to the enclosed design, you can't really easily get the dust out but just force it to wind up in the heatsink. Not exactly ideal.

Perhaps this is a good time to mention that it has a 160watt power supply. So yeah, I'll probably avoid trying to get more card than I need if it's going to ramp up the power draw. Apparently, on The highly rated HP Pavilion Slimline PC thread, the 4550 is known to work with the stock PSU. I think I may go ahead and get the Sparkle 270 watt CPU and two fans to strap on the back of the PC, though.


Normally, I'd agree, but considering how the tuner buts up right against the video card, the fan doesn't really do much for you.

The thing is dust build up on the fan will slow the fan down and degrade the cooling alot which in turn cuases problem like that.
If you don't have fan the air can't move around so there for it get hotter due to tv tuner
The best to help solver the problem is fan pulling the hot air out of the case
a small 60mmx15mm to 80mmx15mm on inside of case cover in about in this area in screenshot

[rosemary]

Originally Posted by SHS

The thing is dust build up on the fan will slow the fan down and degrade the cooling alot which in turn cuases problem like that.

I understand what you're saying, but the fan blades don't actually have very much dust on them. The real dust is inside, where it would be impossible to get out. The fan blades have about as much dust as they'd get on them in a week or so of continuous operation. Makes sense that they're throwing off most dust, considering that they're constantly in motion. I'm not sure how much you think me blowing some compressed air on it is going to do compared to hours and hours of, well, a FAN.

If you don't have fan the air can't move around so there for it get hotter due to tv tuner
The best to help solver the problem is fan pulling the hot air out of the case
a small 60mmx15mm to 80mmx15mm on inside of case cover in about in this area in screenshot

Well, I'm considering following the lead of one of the posters who cooled their similar system down quite a bit using two back mounted fans. Don't really like the LED glow, though, considering it would be right next to the TV. I bought a small fan, looking to possibly put it where you said, but the real trick will be finding something to connect it to. I may be able to attach it to the grill thats on the case cover going over that spot, but then attaching the cable will be a bit tricky.

Of course, none of that is even in the same league as getting that old PSU out of there and the new one in. There's not a lot of room there.

I love this machine, though. Got it for under $1000 and it's worked great so far. If I'd invested in the cooling a bit earlier, I probably would have gotten a bit more mileage out of the current video card. Still, the posters say using the box as an always-on HD HTPC is asking a bit much of the factory components.

[Fuzzy]

The real best solution to the problem of dust is to use a case with a filter (or add a filter to your case). Best to just not let the dust get in there to begin with, if you ask me.

[rosemary]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

The real best solution to the problem of dust is to use a case with a filter (or add a filter to your case). Best to just not let the dust get in there to begin with, if you ask me.

Wouldn't that severely limit airflow? The problem with filtering is that you have to get down to the size of dust particles. That makes for some very small holes. You might get away with that with a large case, but with a small, cramped on like this you'd be signing its death warrant.

[SHS]

Used dryer sheets

[rosemary]

Originally Posted by SHS

Used dryer sheets

Okay. Again, though, will that not severely limit airflow?

[SHS]

Originally Posted by rosemary

Okay. Again, though, will that not severely limit airflow?

No very little if any I use them

[Fuzzy]

most filter's advertise that they provide about 75% of full flow.. however, since all your internal heat exchangers will actually be clear, and working (instead of being 50% insulated by dust) You will still probably overall end up with better cooling.

[Skirge01]

I use Swiffer sheets as filter in my server. But, I have a bunch of fans and the case is cavernous. I simply vaccuum the dust off from the outside every week or so (long haired Shepherd in the house).