Single-Slot Graphics: Whose Card Is Fastest?
Table of contents
- 1. Redefining Compact Graphics
- 2. Afox AF6850-1024D5S1
- 3. ECS NGT440-1GQI-F1
- 4. MSI N450GTS-M2D1GD5
- 5. Test Settings
- 6. Benchmark Results: Crysis
- 7. Benchmark Results: F1 2010
Double-slot graphics cards seem to be the norm, much to the chagrin of enthusiasts trying to build systems with only a single slot of upgrade space. We hunted down three of the fastest cards able to slip into one slot and tested their gaming mettle.
Any enthusiast who builds systems to-order for family and friends will, at some point, be asked to work magic with parts that fall outside the realm of traditional. Nowadays, we simply come to expect that any graphics card purporting to be high-end is going to end up eating two expansion slots worth of space. This problem is particularly vexing to gamers, since compact systems often require a card that’s either shorter in length, height, or thickness than the fastest boards, which absolutely tend to also be the largest. We’ve even reviewed so-called performance-oriented graphics card in a half-height format, but that supposedly-compact part still required two slots. What’s a builder with minimal expansion options to do with only one available slot?
When we heard that a few vendors were finally going to buck the trend and nudge us back in the direction of enthusiast-class graphics cards designed to fit within a single slot of space, we invited 17 of our closest industry contacts to take part in a roundup. Four companies promised us a card to test, and only three delivered on that promise. Today we get to see how these three solutions compare.
| Single-Slot Graphics Comparison Specifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Afox Radeon HD 6850 AF6850-1024D5S1 | ECS GeForce GT 440 NGT440-1GQI-F1 | MSI GeForce GTS 450 N450GTS-M2D1GD5 | |
| GPU Clock | 775 MHz | 810 MHz | 783 MHz |
| DRAM Rate | GDDR5-4000 | GDDR5-3200 | GDDR5-3606 |
| DVI | One Dual-Link | One Dual-Link | Two Dual-Link |
| HDMI | Full | Full | Mini |
| DisplayPort | Full and Mini | None | None |
| VGA | By Adapter | Onboard | By Adapter |
| Output Adapters | None | None | DVI-to-VGA Full-HDMI |
| Length | 8.2" | 6.5" | 8.3" |
| Height | 4.4" | 4.4" | 4.4" |
| Total Thickness | 0.8" | 0.8" | 0.8" |
| Cooler Thickness | 0.6" | 0.6" | 0.6" |
| Weight | 14 Ounces | 8 Ounces | 13 Ounces |
| PCB Version | Custom | V1.0 | 000(B) |
| VRM | Four Phases | Three Phases | Four Phases |
| Warranty | One Year | Three Years | Three Years |
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'Even more significantly, Afox is able to get its Radeon HD 6850 within the power confines of a PCIe x16 slot without any alteration to AMD’s reference 775 MHz GPU and GDDR5-4000 frequencies. That means the card is likely rated for the same 151 W maximum power limit as the dual-slot version. '
HD6850 has a 127w maximum power limit. the HD6870 has the 151w maximum power limit.
I don't think you can deny the 6850 a best of toms award because Galaxy didn't send you a 460. That doesn't seem very fair, and how many 460's do you think are left now anyway? Maybe that's why they didn't get back to you because the card is EOL for a long time?
im just glad they didnt recommend powercolour as there rma and customer service suck the big 1. really for a newcomer/innovator they have done nothing other than offer cheap cards.
unlike other companies that are new to the scene, they dont actually care what happens after the sale and customer satisfaction.
a 1 year warranty is nothing when you think about it. most card manufacturers will offer 3 for the same models for as little as an extra $5 and be willing to back it up with an easy to use rma service. they wont just point you to some random site you have never heard off and will never get a reply from.
nah if you have to buy a cheaper card go elsewhere...
These cards are of such a limited appeal - even single slot cards like these only run best with the slot next to them empty. Also, most motherboards leave blank slots next to the main PCIe slot. Very small cases are the main use for these cards, and such PCs are rarely built for supreme gaming performance.
Things seem to have gone backwards, because back in the day when the 3870 was king, Sapphire had a Toxic Edition which was single slot and full speed as well.
why wasnt the xfx 5770 single slot reviewed? Its class and beats these 3 hands down!
Well ,good to see you guys dusting off Crysis for another outing as a benchmark. I would be interested to see how it runs on today's top-end GPUs too...
If you're determined to fit your GPU into one slot then rather than limiting yourself to these models, wouldn't a more elegant solution be to remove the heatsink and fan which is taking up all that space on most GPUs? There seem to be a few water-block and closed-loop liquid cooling solutions out there which could solve heat, space and noise issues all at once.
I totally agree with the Hexit dude, just because they dont turn up they get a by into the next round, i think you should give the award to the best you tested, ppl trust Toms recommendations & generally check here for advice & info on latest quality/performance stats. Eventually the GTX will realize that its missing out by not being included and will learn a valuable lesson, so if they dont include themselves after being given ample opportunity then Tom should proceed as though they dont exist and not deviate from his objectives.