Suggestions for low power inexpensive GPU when no iGPU

[Mithril]

In 2025 what are the good options for inexpensive low idle power (so it can be used in systems that are on 24/7 if needed) preferably single slot (2 slot is fine) GPUs for systems without an iGPU or remote management. Yes, I love remote management, and iGPU, but we work with the hardware we have/can afford sometimes

I managed to damage my previous trusty single slot GPU

Edit: Appreciate suggestions so for. My use case will be 90% text console or very basic GUI installers, 9% "good enough that KDE/Gnome/Windows can load and render a desktop), and 1% "wildcard".

 

[louie1961]

Nvidia GeForce GT 1030. Look for the GDDR5 versions, not the GDDR4. About 8 watts at idle. You can find them on ebay for $40-$50. If you want something more modern, get a AMD Radeon RX 6400. They are about 4 watts at idle. But now you are talking $250-$300

 

[alaricljs]

AST2500 cards can be gotten on AliEx... Anything else is going to be used 710/1030/??? nVidia stuff.

 

[nexox]

I personally use an AMD Radeon Pro WX2100 for that kind of thing, though I don't really know what the idle power is like, it fits everywhere, they're cheap, and the Linux drivers are solid.

 

[BlueLineSwinger]

Intel's Arc A310 can usually be had reasonably (~$100-150) and will transcode almost anything if that's what's needed.

 

[CyklonDX]

i'd say b50

 

[ca3y6]

If all you need is video acceleration or some very basic GPU tasks you can go for a nvidia T400, that's 30w max consumption, hard to beat.

 

[Mithril]

Intel's Arc A310 can usually be had reasonably (~$100-150) and will transcode almost anything if that's what's needed.

Not transcode, just display. But thanks

 

[Mithril]

If all you need is video acceleration or some very basic GPU tasks you can go for a nvidia T400, that's 30w max consumption, hard to beat.

Looks to be 100-150 refurbed, not my idea of "inexpensive" lol.
Bigger issue is it looks like they are using the old "mini displayport" ports?

 

[Mithril]

I personally use an AMD Radeon Pro WX2100 for that kind of thing, though I don't really know what the idle power is like, it fits everywhere, they're cheap, and the Linux drivers are solid.

Yeah, quick google search isn't getting me the idle on that, but added to my "to be considered" list, thanks

 

[Mithril]

Nvidia GeForce GT 1030. Look for the GDDR5 versions, not the GDDR4. About 8 watts at idle. You can find them on ebay for $40-$50. If you want something more modern, get a AMD Radeon RX 6400. They are about 4 watts at idle. But now you are talking $250-$300

Thanks for the suggestions with idle power use cited

 

[DavidWJohnston]

For the simplest GPU needs I run old Matrox G550 - PCIe x1 - Gives you 2xDVI or DVI/VGA depending on model. Draws about 11W. And they fit into any x1 slot. Useful for hypervisor hosts.

 

[rtech]

AMD 8350 can be had for 14USD on ebay. Single slot, fan entirely powered by PCIe slot. Mine has not arrived yet so i do not know the idle power consumption but i would hazard that it would not consume much but it might prevent the server from going into lower power states.

 

[Mithril]

Radeon R5 340X also look fairly cheap, but not finding power use numbers at the moment.

Related: anyone have good solutions for using low profile cards in full profile slots that isn't "bend up the tab or have the right bracket".

 

[mattventura]

Radeon R5 340X also look fairly cheap, but not finding power use numbers at the moment.

Related: anyone have good solutions for using low profile cards in full profile slots that isn't "bend up the tab or have the right bracket".

You can try using a short riser card, there are some that even give you proper mounting for the bottom end of the bracket. Though most of the ones I've seen are for converting between PCIe and old PCI.

 

[Mithril]

You can try using a short riser card, there are some that even give you proper mounting for the bottom end of the bracket. Though most of the ones I've seen are for converting between PCIe and old PCI.

I've seen a few that are just the card riser part, annoying overpriced for what they are (30 bucks for the one I saw). Have not seen any that handle the bracket (also the screw hole is in the wrong spot but I could solve that with a drill/Dremel )

Oddly I'd almost prefer *just* the bracket, then a could use a 1x cable extension and put it in a bracket spot elsewhere. I have a bunch of inexpensive gen 1/2 cable risers (1x and 4x), good enough for testing things; usually it is a pain to try to mount the cards for actual long term use. The card side are all modified to be open ended.

And as we get further off topic, I wonder if anyone makes a 4U case that takes a SFX psu to allow for more than 7 slots