Railworks America

I have an Acer Aspire x3390 reduced format computer that almost runs TS2013 very well. The only hitch is that its NVIDIA GeForce 605 (made by Sapphire) graphics card has only 1GB of memory and if I try using the advanced graphics mode FPS drops to between 5 and 8. The case of this computer is only 4" wide! I'm hoping that someone can suggest a new card or at least a site that provides information about the size of the metal thingy that plugs into the card slot.

Thanks!

You'll have to look for a "low profile" card. Make sure it is deliverd with a "low profile" bracket as well, as it still won't fit your case otherwise.

Mind you, that Aspire's PSU is quite small, and won't power a high performance card.
http://community.acer.com/t5/2013-Archives/Graphic-cards-for-Aspire-X3390/td-p/56213
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100055094&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&SrchInDesc=low%20profile&Page=1&PageSize=20

Thanks for the advice, which of course leads to additional questions. Here's a picture of the bracket of a video card I saved from an older computer:



There are three video connectors (I need only the USB one). Can a low profile bracket be fitted to this card? What happens to the other two connectors?

OldProf wrote:Thanks for the advice, which of course leads to additional questions. Here's a picture of the bracket of a video card I saved from an older computer:



There are three video connectors (I need only the USB one). Can a low profile bracket be fitted to this card? What happens to the other two connectors?

Which of the port do you need? The blue (VGA), black (HDMI) or white (DVI) one?

The blue VGA port is probably connected to the card by means of a small flat cable. A replacement low profile bracket can be bought from Newegg http://www.newegg.com/global/nl/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814998301which allows you to mount the card in the case. The blue VGA port will have to be mounted by means of a special bracket http://www.newegg.com/global/nl/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814998063 in an empty slot above the card. If you don't connect your monitor by VGA, you can pull the small flat cable and blue connector off and use the HDMI or DVI port.

Or you can saw, drill and bent the existing bracket to low profile dimensions and shape and fit the blue VGA port to a spare slot cover.

While looking at the sites suggested for obtaining a shorter bracket, I came across an E-How page about swapping video card brackets: old card's short bracket for new card's longer bracket. It worked! The new card is now installed.

Thanks to those who responded.

P.s.: TS2014 still runs at low FPS when I turn on FSX (is that the correct term?), but I'm hopeful of finding a fix for that.

OldProf wrote:P.s.: TS2014 still runs at low FPS when I turn on FSX (is that the correct term?), but I'm hopeful of finding a fix for that.

I think that wouldn't be possible. Those low profile cards tend to be directed at the lower end of the computer spectrum. Powerful GPU's dissipate a lot of heat, and need large heatsinks and fans. These won't fit on those small cards.

If you try TSX, you probably have to lower other graphics settings under the advanced button.

You'll probably be better off by using that computer for domestic use, internet browsing, word processing etc. Save up for a medium range PC for gaming.