Best Low-Profile Video / Graphics Cards For Gaming (PCI-E) May 2012

Welcome! Here is the list of 18 best low-profile video cards available for PCI-Express. When you have a slim tower desktop or a small HTPC, then you can usually only use a half-height video card. Although the most powerful one is pretty strong, it doesn't compete with best normal size graphics cards. If you want to play all the new games at maximum settings, then you have to get a normal size computer case and a faster graphics card. Before buying, check that you have a sufficient power supply and enough room in your case (some video cards are very long or have big coolers). There are models that take 2 slots and block other PCI devices. Also remember that AMD's minimum power supply requirements are usually exaggerated. For example: AMD Radeon HD 6570 official requirement is a 400W PSU, but some people successfully use it with even 250W-300W power supplies (its maximum power consumption is less than 70W). Also, make sure the card comes with a low-profile bracket, there are many cheap video cards that only have a normal size bracket. Small screwdriver is necessary too, because you usually have to replace the normal size bracket by yourself.