card for HTPC

[Paul11]

hi all

looking for a card for an HTPC in a shuttle SB81P

TV only does res of 1024x768 via the VGA (native i think is 1280x720)

(if i go DVI to HDMI can i run a higher resolution?. using powerstrip or something?)

Looking for a card that is quiet, good for HD Video and maybe the odd game?

any suggestions?

thank you

 

[squiffy]

I use a ATI X300, more than suitable for htpc duties, haven't tried gaming but it scores roughly 1000 more than a Nvidia 6150 IGP. It has S-video, DVI and VGA out, supports 1360x768 (note not 1366) so that will require powerstrip> Also supports 1920x1050, so no problem on a 1080p panel.

 

[Paul11]

will that be better for HD video than the onboard graphics ?

and is DVI to HDMI going to be much better than VGA lead to VGA on the tv ?

 

[squiffy]

hmm hard to say regarding video decoding acceleration, there's no way to test it, unless a "video mark" type speed test. It's faster for gaming than the IGP, also has dedicated RAM so saves using system memory. It kicks out a bit more heat though. It's a passive design so not fan. I'm going to try Half-Life 2 soon, that was unbearably slow on the 6150.

DVI to HDMI should be better picture than VGA-VGA, because it's pure digital signal.

Apparently ATI has better picture quality for desktop & video use

 

[Paul11]

is a x1950pro overkill ?

 

[squiffy]

Just a tad, well for htpc duties although good for gaming.
At the most for htpc only look at ATI 1300 series. As for Nvidia 7300 series. Look for passive models, the problem of course with "gaming" cards is that they're not passive, also the fan is usually quite noisy. In a gaming rig this won't matter, but in a htpc it will. I wish motherboards had ability to switch on/off an additional graphics card, ie I could use on-board for htpc, but power off, flick a switch, switch it back on and the fitted X1900XT will then automatically be used as primary card. Great for when you want to game, switch back for downloading/movie watching.