[charlie0440]

So my server (sig below) is currently running Ubuntu server. I plan on putting Ubuntu desktop on it. Problem is it does not have on board graphics and I have used up the PCIEx8 slot - hence its running Ubuntu server with no graphics card. That leaves me with spare PCI slots and a PCIEx1 slot.

I only really plan on using it rip Blu rays via makeMKV, but at the same time would like a GPU which I could use for XBMC and if needed in the future could put in another machine. Therefore I'm leaning towards a PCIEx1 card.

Can anyone recommend a good one, in an ideal world, NVIDIA as its Linux and passive. Or should I be looking at a PCI GT520?

[Jetster]

What do you have in your PCI-e X8 slot?

[charlie0440]

Supermicro AOC-USAS-L8I - 8 port SAS/SATA card

The motherboard only has 1 x8 port (old board)

[poofyhairguy]

I say PCI. My fanless PCI 430GT works fine in XBMC (so a GT520 would too) and PCI doesn't seem like it will go away in the future. PCI cards and PCI 1x cards are going to have the same limitations outside of HTPCland, but at least a PCI card could be used to upgrade a junker one day to HTPC status.

[live4ever]

I have a Zotac GT218-ION PCIe x1 that has been great for the past 2 years.

[charlie0440]

Im thinking of going the pcie x1 route Club 3D GeForce GT 520 @ £37

Poofy your right, PCI would work on pretty much any PC, but the PCIE card seems to be way cheaper. ZT-40605-10L @ £64

[poofyhairguy]

Then go cheaper. The end result is the same.