Since my new BOINC machine will be in a 2U server case, I'm limited to low-profile graphics boards. I considered 2U cases that have provisions for horizontally-mounted, full-sized boards which would require a riser card, but there were too many uncertainties with that approach.

This is what I'm looking at - an MSI GeForce GTX 1050Ti:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814137081

I know this card isn't state of the art. And, I know it is about half the power as the GTX 1080.

1) Do you see any issues with this board with respect to using it for GPUGrid?
2) Is it already considered "obsolete" and I just shouldn't bother?
3) Do you know of any low-profile graphics boards that would have better performance?

Since my new BOINC machine will be in a 2U server case, I'm limited to low-profile graphics boards. I considered 2U cases that have provisions for horizontally-mounted, full-sized boards which would require a riser card, but there were too many uncertainties with that approach.

This is what I'm looking at - an MSI GeForce GTX 1050Ti:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814137081

I know this card isn't state of the art.

And, I know it is about half the power as the GTX 1080.

1) Do you see any issues with this board with respect to using it for GPUGrid?

2) Is it already considered "obsolete" and I just shouldn't bother?

3) Do you know of any low-profile graphics boards that would have better performance?

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. This is excellent information.

I didn't realize that this card was considered to be so low in the performance lineup. I'd be starting right out of the gate with a serious under-performer.

I've been away from GPUGrid for several years now and wasn't aware how demanding the WUs have become.

I'm going to have to re-think my entire build. Although I didn't want a 4U chassis due to rack space constraints, it looks like now I have no choice if I want decent GPU power, which means a full-height card.

3) Do you know of any low-profile graphics boards that would have better performance?

Passive cooled computing cards exists (designed for rackmount cases with low clocks and low voltages to achieve low heat dissipation), but they are much too expensive for BOINC use.

JoergF,

That's a pretty slick card!

For me the issue isn't the number of slots the card occupies, but the height of the card.

It appears to me to be standard-height. I need low-profile, or reduced-height.

Thanks.

I've been away from GPUGrid for several years now and wasn't aware how demanding the WUs have become.

Every time a new generation of Nvidia GPUs come out we see an increase in computational demand from this project. This has both its pros and cons.

To give my 2 cents worth, the 1050ti is a superb card. It is less powerful than a 1080ti for sure. It also produces less heat and costs a lot less. It's about 2/3 the power of a 1060, and about half the price. Bear in mind that it clocks up very nicely without overclocking, far more than the specs might suggest. Airflow isn't a problem really, though decent airflow is always good. It's basically party of a 1080 and you get what you pay for. In terms of cost the current generation is cheaper than anything else, though getting a higher up in the range cars might lower overall cost as the rest of the PC will use electricity.

To give my 2 cents worth, the 1050ti is a superb card. It is less powerful than a 1080ti for sure. It also produces less heat and costs a lot less. It's about 2/3 the power of a 1060, and about half the price. Bear in mind that it clocks up very nicely without overclocking, far more than the specs might suggest. Airflow isn't a problem really, though decent airflow is always good. It's basically party of a 1080 and you get what you pay for. In terms of cost the current generation is cheaper than anything else, though getting a higher up in the range cars might lower overall cost as the rest of the PC will use electricity.

My MSI laptop came with a 1050 Ti. Plays games decently well (I did upgrade from an ancient 660m... so to me the difference is astronomical).

It also runs GPUGrid pretty well too (https://www.gpugrid.net/show_host_detail.php?hostid=458605). So I'm happy. It is fast (to my standards) and it stays very cool (65 °C while running GPUGrid).

But I did get this laptop for non-GPUGrid purposes, so there's that.
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I bought a pair of those low profile, but the Zotac model. $165 each back in November. Last I looked they were up to $229.

They work fine, even one in an x8 socket works just as fine as in an x16. They take two fans, but since the board only draws 75watts there is no need for 6 or 8 pin power cables. I did notice that room was left for a 6 pin socket but there are none.