SPARKLE GeForce 9800 GT SX98GT512D3L-NM Video Card

Comment:
I use this video card to upgrade my dell 530s with Seasonic tfx 300w, and it works OK.The original dell 530s case don't have airflow design for video card, the idle temp of this videocard is already about 70*c, either I have to mode the case or change the case.So I change the case, then the idle tmep is down to 60*C and full performance around 75*C.

Comment:
I have this card installed in an Antec minuet with its 350w PSU and an AMD Athlon II x2 245, DVDRW, SSD and a normal HDD with no issue, so the 400w rating the card recommends might be playing it a bit safe. The card does require a single six pin PCI-E connector, but most low profile/ mATX power supplies do not have one, and Sparkle didn't see fit to include one in the package, so be prepared to buy one or spend some time rummaging in your parts bin. The fan at 100% is very irritating, so you might want to find some why to compensate (better airflow, case further away, etc). I'm also not sure that card could handle any overclocking with out some sort of creative cooling solution.Aside from that, it works just like any other 9800GT, which is to say it is no slouch in the gaming department. Given it is the fastest low profile card available and costs $125 this card is a pretty good value. Recommended.

Comment:
The card is very fast and very good. It is perfect for a slimline HTPC which also is going to play high-end video games whether they are Supreme Commander or Left 4 Dead 2. Although it only takes up one rear slot, the actual height of the card prohibits me from using the PCI slot directly below it, leaving me with only 1 PCI slot and one PCI-Ex1 slot in the desktop I use it in. Though this was expected, it is important to note that it does use up vertical space in order to fit all the gaming goodness into a low-profile space.