Discrete vs Onboard

[-Hotplate-]

My HTPC has a M4A88T-I Deluxe mobo by ASUS in it, with onboard HD4250 GFX solution.
This has been fine with MPC-HC as the software media player for a few years. But I have just bought a 3D capable TV and I have issues with some of the MKV movies I am trying to play through this HTPC.
Not sure if its the movies themselves, as the inbuilt media player on the TV copes much better than the HD4250. But it is only on 3D stuff.
I put a huge CPU cooler in there as well, so I have silent running in a tiny form factor.
I am thinking of sticking in the MSI HD5450 1GB http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-149-MS
which for only £15 is a bargain if it will improve my setup. It is also passive which is essential.
But I can't find any reviews that actually confirm it will be an improvement over what I already have?
Anyone got any comments on whether this would be a good idea or a waste of time, and £15.
Cheers

 

[calliusmaximus]

I had the HD5450 in my old HTPC and it worked a charm though i didnt try 3d.

 

[Stas823]

I would go for an nvidia card due to 3d vision

 

[-Hotplate-]

I would go for an nvidia card due to 3d vision

That's a fair point. I was just thinking "stick an AMD card in an AMD mobo" for best compatibility.

 

[calliusmaximus]

That's a fair point. I was just thinking "stick an AMD card in an AMD mobo" for best compatibility.

Really doesnt work like that you will be fine with either card, though i think AMD does side by side 3D. Where nvidia does it differently and its not normally compatible with TV/projectors, id check up on that personally.

 

[-Hotplate-]

Really doesnt work like that you will be fine with either card, though i think AMD does side by side 3D. Where nvidia does it differently and its not normally compatible with TV/projectors, id check up on that personally.

Nvidia low cost cards don't seem to do sound via HDMI either until you get to one that is three times the price of the MSI HD5450 at £14.99 delivered.

According to Overclockers the MSI HD5450 deffo does 7.1 sound and deffo has Low Profile bracket too. So I think this card is hard to beat.

The original question was whether this discrete card would be any better than the onboard HD4250 on the mobo.
Still not sure about that.

 

[calliusmaximus]

Had hd5450 in my htpc before I moved to and i3 and igpu, definately does hdmi sound