Graphics card for HTPC

[kbc]

Hi, just wondering what graphics card would I need for an HTPC.

Will be used to display divx/xvid movies, H264 videos, DVD and Karaoke videos. This will all be running off Windows Media Center @ 1024x768 on a 43" plasma.

Was thinking of a GeForce 7300GS or an ATI X1300 Pro... ideally a GeForce 6600GT but that's a little on the expensive side. Passively-cooled cards would be a bonus as well. Any company I should be looking out for? ATI better for this task or Nvidia?

Will the cards mentioned be adequate? So long as it also doesn't lag in 2D mode like with my Voodoo 2 card.

Almost forgot, where does the 6600LE rank in this?

 

[Bomag]

If you want to use the Purevision decoder then any version of the 6600 should do (its not the speed which really matters but the chipset acceleration). The 6600 does have a few HD features missing which are in the 7xxx series. If I were bulding my HTPC now I would go for one of the passive 7600 GS cards.

ATI may make good cards but the drivers are much worse than nVidia when it comes to setting up a HD panel.

 

[kbc]

If you want to use the Purevision decoder then any version of the 6600 should do (its not the speed which really matters but the chipset acceleration). The 6600 does have a few HD features missing which are in the 7xxx series. If I were bulding my HTPC now I would go for one of the passive 7600 GS cards.

ATI may make good cards but the drivers are much worse than nVidia when it comes to setting up a HD panel.

So you don't recommend me getting a 7300GS?

Money wise, a 7600GS is about £40 more than a 7300GS. But a 6600GT is cheaper than a 7600GS - out of the 2, I would've opt for the 6600GT, wise choice?

But as you say, I'm after quality... should I budget more for a 6600GT and a 7600GS?

 

[Lanz]

H.264 hardware decoding on a 7300GS would be iffy. A 6600GT or 7600GS would be much better. Maybe a 7300GT might be a good inbetween.