Which ATI card for HTPC?

[Lanz]

At the beginning of Feb, the low range 5400/5500 series are coming out. The cheapest will be passive low profile (54xx). They will of course suck for games, but offer any great features for your HTPC.

http://www.nordichardware.com/news,10567.html

PS, dont get a 3xxx/4xxx card for your HTPC, as they currently have issues viewing BBC HD.

 

[Ritsugamesh]

+1 for the feb release of 5400/5500, looking at the 4670 prices, I can imagine they will pretty damn cheap too, so that might be your best bet.

 

[Andric]

4670 is good, though I beleive the hdmi sound is better with the 5* series so I'd wait on the 5400/5500 or grab a 5670 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=56&subid=1673

 

[Hotwired]

At the beginning of Feb, the low range 5400/5500 series are coming out. The cheapest will be passive low profile (54xx). They will of course suck for games, but offer any great features for your HTPC.

http://www.nordichardware.com/news,10567.html

PS, dont get a 3xxx/4xxx card for your HTPC, as they currently have issues viewing BBC HD.

Humz.

I've put £70 on a 220GT 1GB DDR3 LP, may return it unopened and live with the zotac 9300 onboard til Feb.

Well, however long it takes for the low profile versions to appear. Wouldn't be surprised if the first ones were full height :/

Either way, they probably can't be more expensive than the 220GT 1GB DDR3.

 

[Big.Wayne]

Phunky Phish

• EAH4350 SILENT/DI/1GD2
• EAH4350 SILENT/DI/256MD2(LP)
• EAH4350 SILENT/DI/512MD2(LP)

 

[wolvers]

I've got a 4350 that I use as a spare for the HTPC and it handles 1080p no problem. A great passive card. The only issue that I found is that it struggles with the 3d transitions in Media Browser.

 

[HEADRAT]

+1 for the feb release of 5400/5500, looking at the 4670 prices, I can imagine they will pretty damn cheap too, so that might be your best bet.

Exactly, HD bit streaming over HDMI, it's a no brainer.

 

[alex24]

• EAH4350 SILENT/DI/1GD2
• EAH4350 SILENT/DI/256MD2(LP)
• EAH4350 SILENT/DI/512MD2(LP)

I've got exactly that 4350 (256mb). As mentioned, didn't cost much more than £20 and does blu-ray easily, passes the audio over hdmi no problems either.

 

[wolvers]

Exactly, HD bit streaming over HDMI, it's a no brainer.

HD audio bitstreaming works from mkvs in Media Center as well now.

 

[gt_junkie]

Got a fanless XFX 4350 512mb sitting in a passive watercooled HTPC here.

Handles BR and HDDVD perfectly and obviously does it in total silence.

Think mine ended up costing around £28 delivered which i didn't think was too bad.

Those upcoming 5*** series models sound decent too.

gt

 

[Phunky Phish]

Hey Wolvers
Been reading your posts with interest on a certain HTPC enthusiast site *cough*, AV something or other!
You have been a great help with my build.
I saw the bitstreaming on HDMI was better on the 5*** cards so I think I will wait and see what the cheap passive cards are like, its ony a month and I am off snowboarding for a week of that

 

[InkZ]

I got a cheapo nvidia for the Cuda which works great with core avc.