Video card for HTPC

szlats · Nov 29, 2007

I'm building a HTPC and looking for suggestions for a video card that would be used for HD video, gaming is not a big concern on this machine. Considerations are low noise/low heat output, ability to manage HD video as I will be recording HDTV onto the HDD's, DVI/HDMI outputs - preferably two, and OCUR / HDCP compliance. I was considering something along the line of a nvidia 8500GT or the ATI raedon HD 2400 XT or the 2600 PRO or the 2600XT. Any suggestionson these or other options?

Thanks

JrRacinFan · Nov 29, 2007

Where are you located?

You plan on doing light gaming on the HTPC as well?

If you're not planning on doing any gaming I say a 7300GT should fill your needs and budget.It still has the lil extra oomph just in case you want to play a game or 2 at halfway decent resolutions.

ktr · Nov 29, 2007

ATI HD has built in sound card for its hdmi, while nvidia can take a digital feed from any digital output from your integrated sound card or dedicated.

I would go for the 2600xt: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161203

szlats · Dec 1, 2007

Thanks for your suggestions. I looked at a review of the 2600HD (http://www.elitebastards.com/cms/in...sk=view&id=445&Itemid=27&limit=1&limitstart=9) and it seemed to require much more CPU time than the nvida 8600gt which makes the 8600 gt a consideration. The 7300 is appealing for the cost savings but I'm not sure that it gives full H.264 support or if it is HDCP compliant.

hat · Dec 1, 2007

2400pro

wiak · Dec 1, 2007

2600 or 3800 series!
3800 series has the best UVD version by far and has good gaming performace to
you can get a 3850 card with DVI and a native HDMI with sound out!

2400 isnt on pair in quality its to slow

i HIGHLY recommend a 3870 i got it my self
it plays HD DVD AVC/VC-1 with 3% cpu usage!

http://nwgat.net/woot/files/1/motion_radeon_3770_1080p.h264.powerdvd.UVD.jpg (dont mind the blur its was capped in motion

http://nwgat.net/woot/files/1/hddvd_and_hl2ep2_ati_uvd_3870.jpg

nvidia dont decode fully vc-1 in hardware so ATI does both VC-1 and h264 in hardware so you can go lower on cpu
ati even has the best HQV score by far over 100 points

http://www.guru3d.com/article/article/443/
says that ATI realy own nvidia in video

elitebastard hasnt done a good review, i bet they used wrong software, atm cyberlink powerdvd is the only one that decodes 1080p h264/vc-1 in hardware, so guru of 3d review is the best one
http://www.elitebastards.com/cms/in...sk=view&id=445&Itemid=27&limit=1&limitstart=9

pbmaster · Dec 1, 2007

Why would you put a high end gaming card into a HTPC that isn't going to be used for gaming? Just wondering.

wiak · Dec 1, 2007

pbmaster said:
Why would you put a high end gaming card into a HTPC that isn't going to be used for gaming? Just wondering.

ok then this will be good

http://www.powercolor.com/Global/products_features.asp?ProductID=1419

or msi's

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=2600+XT+heat&x=0&y=0

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161185

suraswami · Dec 1, 2007

I just finished my Build for HTPC with HD-DVD and Blu-ray playback. Trust me go with 8600GT with HDCP. 7300 sucks big time. I also tested 2600 pro and it used lot of cpu resources.
8600GT = 30 to 40% CPU utilization
2600pro = 60 to 70% CPU utilization

Suprised by the results. May be driver issue. Had the latest drivers tho.

So went with 8600GT.

Wile E · Dec 1, 2007

suraswami said:
I just finished my Build for HTPC with HD-DVD and Blu-ray playback. Trust me go with 8600GT with HDCP. 7300 sucks big time. I also tested 2600 pro and it used lot of cpu resources.
8600GT = 30 to 40% CPU utilization
2600pro = 60 to 70% CPU utilization

Suprised by the results. May be driver issue. Had the latest drivers tho.

So went with 8600GT.

Yeah, but what program did you use to test playback?

wiak · Dec 1, 2007

Wile E said:
Yeah, but what program did you use to test playback?

i use CyberLink PowerDVD

largon · Dec 1, 2007

I'd go for HD2400Pro or the 55nm shrink version (RV615) whatever it will be called.
Dunno when RV615 is coming out though...

wiak · Dec 1, 2007

largon said:
I'd go for HD2400Pro or the 55nm shrink version (RV615) whatever it will be called.
Dunno when RV615 is coming out though...

the problem isnt the 2600 cards its the software/drivers
some drivers work fine some dosnt, this has allways been the case with nvida to

ktr · Dec 1, 2007

here is a 8500gt: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127301

which should be good enough.

JrRacinFan · Dec 1, 2007

You know what, that card looks interesting even to my tastes KTR. Of course as you know my tastes are very picky for budget buyers.

You get a thanks from me for a nice find!

ktr · Dec 1, 2007

Notice the spdif cables? You can get audio from you onboard or dedicated sound card and route it to the hdmi port.

szlats · Dec 2, 2007

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Looks like I'm leaning toward the HD 3850. TUL has a card with a native HDMI output and a DVI output. It is the only card I found with HDMI (not DVI-HDMI dongle) which would seem to be a plus.

Pinchy · Dec 2, 2007

I just got an XpertVision 2600XT for a friends build and it came with 1x VGA, 1x DVI as well as a HDMI port. No adapters or cables needed...it was just there

.

[I.R.A]_FBi · Dec 2, 2007

hd2600pro

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Processor	Ryzen 5900X
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Video card for HTPC

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