3870 or 9600GT for htpc?

coupe69 · 25 Feb 2008 at 10:44

I have a bit of a dilemma I need to order a video card for my htpc today as the rest of my parts are coming tommorrow.

I will be using the pc mainly for watching bluray, iplayer and other downloaded content but would also be doing a bit of gaming on it like pro evo, virtua tennis 3 and maybe the odd fps but only when the wife is out

Now I was originally going to go for an ATi as they're generally regarded as the better bet for hd output but have noticed that the the gainward card that overclockers have in has a native hdmi connector.

The choice is this ATi 3870

or this 9600GT

What the best bet? Which is quietest? and also does anybody know if the overclockers 3870 comes with the dvi > hdmi connector?

Any helpfull input is appreciated

Lanz · 25 Feb 2008 at 11:08

You can get a 9600GT with 2 x DVI, HDMI, Display Port and SPDif out.

http://www.xpertvision.com.tw/en/products/nv_pcie_ 9600GT-Sonic.html

Looks ideal for a HTPC, certainly future-proof for any new TV.

killersheep34 · 25 Feb 2008 at 11:45

Not sure if the Nvidia's out put the audio along the hdmi interface.

I have a powercolour 3870xt and it has an integrated sound card which carries the audio along the hdmi cable which is ideal as I'm able to watch hd stuff on my tv without having to faff around with extra audio cabes etc.

james.miller · 25 Feb 2008 at 11:49

its only 1 extra cable lol. i wouldnt worry about audio over hdmi form a pc. certainly i wouldnt turn a card down if it couldnt do it

Talrinys · 25 Feb 2008 at 11:51

Lanz said:
You can get a 9600GT with 2 x DVI, HDMI, Display Port and SPDif out.

http://www.xpertvision.com.tw/en/products/nv_pcie_ 9600GT-Sonic.html

Looks ideal for a HTPC, certainly future-proof for any new TV.

Wow that card is fantastic, OP go for that, it has absolutely everything you'll ever need

And you can always buy a cheap addon sound card if you want better quality than integrated, if this doesn't carry audio over HDMI.

killersheep34 · 25 Feb 2008 at 11:51

It is only 1 extra cable, but it depends on your situation. My TV is in the other room, and as I live in rented accomodation I'm unable to drill holes in walls, floorboards etc to hide cables.

Running 1 x HDMI cable is easier and less messy then an audio and hdmi cable.

craptakular · 25 Feb 2008 at 11:53

wow a 3870 or 9600GT (not so much) is total over kill for a HTPC!

The better HTPc cards are the 8500GT/8600GT or 3450!!

I think I'm right in saying the 3540 carries audio over HDMI.

Buying a 3870 for HTPC is really stupid. There two hot, big and loud - for hTPC use. For gaming yes, good card. HTPC use = bad.

Just my 2 cents

james.miller · 25 Feb 2008 at 12:01

i have an 8800gtx in my htpc. heat can be dealt with, as can noise. if he wants to do some decent gaming on it, then i cant agree with you.

craptakular · 25 Feb 2008 at 12:31

Gaming and HTPc use dont go.

Upto you though if u want an over-sized, loud, hot system.

I would build to systems if he wants to play games.

james.miller · 25 Feb 2008 at 12:32

Oxy said:
Gaming and HTPc use dont go.

Upto you though if u want an over-sized, loud, hot system.

I would build to systems if he wants to play games.

you obviously haven't seen, or heard, mine

wolvers · 25 Feb 2008 at 12:55

Oxy said:
Gaming and HTPc use dont go.

Upto you though if u want an over-sized, loud, hot system.

You're obviously not trying hard enough!!

Darkwave · 25 Feb 2008 at 13:06

james.miller said:
you obviously haven't seen, or heard, mine

Or mine since I bought the same case on your recommendation.

Works beautifuly as a gaming HTPC, utterly silent too.

james.miller · 25 Feb 2008 at 13:12

Ulfhedjinn said:
Or mine since I bought the same case on your recommendation.

Works beautifuly as a gaming HTPC, utterly silent too.

wait is that system in your sig in there? you have a better htpc than me??? aww

wolvers · 25 Feb 2008 at 13:13

Ulfhedjinn said:
Or mine since I bought the same case on your recommendation.

Works beautifuly as a gaming HTPC, utterly silent too.

What case are you guys using?

james.miller · 25 Feb 2008 at 13:15

that one

its a silverstone lc17. its not too hot, its not too big either since it smaller than my amplifier

wolvers · 25 Feb 2008 at 13:23

Yeah, the silverstone's are nice. I've got one too (can't remember the model number). :cool:

wolvers · 25 Feb 2008 at 13:24

I like the look of that expervision card. I hope they put those connections on the 9800 series cards.

dillingerdan · 25 Feb 2008 at 13:27

Lanz said:
You can get a 9600GT with 2 x DVI, HDMI, Display Port and SPDif out.

http://www.xpertvision.com.tw/en/products/nv_pcie_ 9600GT-Sonic.html

Looks ideal for a HTPC, certainly future-proof for any new TV.

Talrinys said:
Wow that card is fantastic, OP go for that, it has absolutely everything you'll ever need And you can always buy a cheap addon sound card if you want better quality than integrated, if this doesn't carry audio over HDMI.

The Gainward (Golden Sample) and Palit cards are exactly the same as that (all Palit owned), at least on the most part. Palit and Gainward seem to get better voltage regulation, but that might go across all their cards. I am not entirely sure.

However it comes with an internal header like SPDIF cable to plug into your sound card (so one is needed, with that output option of output) so you can route sound through. I am not sure if it'll output directly through the HDMI that's something you'd need to ask one of the 3 companies, but I don't see why it wouldn't, with the SPDIF as back up if you use DVI I guess.

Darkwave · 25 Feb 2008 at 13:36

james.miller said:
wait is that system in your sig in there? you have a better htpc than me??? aww

Aye it is, but chin up.

craptakular · 25 Feb 2008 at 13:39

Ulfhedjinn said:
Or mine since I bought the same case on your recommendation.

Works beautifuly as a gaming HTPC, utterly silent too.

I think mine and your views of what a HTPC should be are totally different.

Each to there own though. I still think its stupid and total overkill for a HTPC.

I mean if your short on cash/space why didnt you use a full tower case? These would improve airflow with increased space (SLI/X-fire would be possible) and you could use better cpu coolers, run more HDD's.

Anyway, if your happy. Then great.