HTPC gfx card recommendations please

[Viberious]

My htpc graphic card ATI 2400 passive card needs replacing as it gets too hot. I need recommendations on a replacement I've looked at both ATi 2400/2600/3450/3650 and Nvidia 8400/8500 but as heat is an issue this will need to be actively cooled. But I dont want anything noisey. Can you suggest anything that might fit the bill.

It will be need to play SD and HD (1080i/1080p) media.

Max cost £50.

 

[Bomag]

MSI do a passive 8600GTS and Sparkle a passive 8800GT, however if a 2400 is getting too hot then there is simply not enough air movement in the case. The only option I would suggest is to water cool it - try a Zalman Reserator 1 or 2

 

[Viberious]

I was after one with a fan rather than passive (which I have already) and water cooling too expensive for a htpc)

 

[MeatLoaf]

I got a POV 8600GTS last week as a temp card for my system, has a HDMI port as well so may be useful for hooking up to a HDTV

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17841244

 

[Viberious]

Looks a nice card but its outside my budget I was swayed by the new 3650 but not sure on the noise levels.

 

[Bomag]

A 1200 rpm 120mm case fan near the passive graphics card would be quieter than a GPU fan - and cheaper.

 

[ubern00b]

Have to agree with the above, would be more benificial to sort out your case airflow.

 

[Viberious]

Its an antec fusion htpc case it only has 2 120mm fans on the right of the case. The temp within the case is fine as the cpu is running at 28c.

 

[jimbobjames]

have you tried taking off the heatskink and replacing the thermal paste ? could be a badly seated heatsink.

Also you don't mention if the card is freezing or crashing or just running at a higher temp than you think it should.