Table of Contents
Introduction
The ASUS GeForce GT 730 Low Profile graphics card is a budget-friendly option designed specifically for silent HTPC builds. With its low profile design and passive cooling solution, it promises quiet operation while providing sufficient graphics power for everyday tasks and light gaming. In this review, we’ll take a deep dive into the GT 730 Low Profile, exploring its features, performance, and overall value.
Features
The ASUS GeForce GT 730 Low Profile boasts a range of features that make it an attractive choice for budget-conscious PC builders:
- Low Profile Design: Its compact size makes it perfect for small form factor PCs and HTPCs, where space is limited.
- Passive Cooling: The card features a passive cooler, ensuring silent operation and eliminating fan noise.
- 2GB GDDR5 Memory: This provides sufficient memory for everyday tasks, light gaming, and basic video editing.
- Multiple Display Outputs: The GT 730 Low Profile offers a DVI-D, D-Sub, and HDMI 1.4a port, allowing you to connect multiple monitors.
- PCI Express 2.0 Interface: Compatible with most modern motherboards.
Performance
The ASUS GeForce GT 730 Low Profile delivers respectable performance for its price point. It can handle everyday tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and office productivity with ease. While it’s not a powerhouse for demanding gaming, it can deliver playable frame rates at lower resolutions and settings for older or less graphically intensive games.
We tested the GT 730 Low Profile on a variety of benchmarks, including 3DMark Time Spy and PCMark 10. The results showed that the card performed in line with its expected performance range, offering a significant improvement over integrated graphics solutions.
Pros & Cons
**Pros:**
- Silent operation with passive cooling
- Low profile design for compact PCs
- Affordable price point
- Multiple display outputs for flexibility
- Solid performance for everyday tasks and light gaming
**Cons:**
- Not suitable for high-end gaming
- Limited power for demanding applications
- Older GPU architecture may result in lower performance compared to newer models
Final Verdict
The ASUS GeForce GT 730 Low Profile is a solid choice for users seeking a budget-friendly graphics card for silent HTPC builds or light gaming. Its passive cooling ensures quiet operation, and its low profile design makes it perfect for compact systems. While it won’t handle the latest games at high settings, it delivers respectable performance for everyday tasks and older titles. If you’re on a tight budget and prioritize silence, the GT 730 Low Profile is a worthy contender.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Graphics Processor | NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 |
| Memory Size | 2GB GDDR5 |
| Memory Interface | 64-bit |
| Engine Clock | 902MHz |
| Memory Speed | 5010MHz |
| Interface | PCI Express 2.0 |
| Display Outputs | DVI-D, D-Sub, HDMI 1.4a |