HTPC graphics card

[gdpayne]

I have a budget HTPC that I built from old bits and pieces - Athlon XP 3200+ and Radeon 9550 graphics card. Not a lot of horsepower, but it works.

The question is, would I gain anything by upgrading the graphics card to a newer budget spec (eg 7300GT or 7600GS AGP). I'm guessing PureVideo would work, but is that worth it over my existing spec?

TIA

 

[gdpayne]

are you using a HiDef display or not - if you are then potentially you may benefit from a purevideo card, other than that I cant see any reason to ( I am guessing you dont game at all on it

If you are happy I would leave yours, depending on why else you want to change the video card?

Higher res display is on the "to buy" list, but not yet. Just wondered if there were any other improvements to be had.

Sounds like its worth saving the monet.

 

[gdpayne]

Depends on what your going to be using your htpc for?. If its mainly watching movies, recording/pausing live tv etc then your setup will be fine.

If your looking at upscaling movies/dvd's to HD resolutions on a HD TV then both the processor and graphics card will need upgrading.
Im upscaling dvd's to my 32inch HD TV and ive got a A64 3200 running at 2.3ghz, 6800gt running at ultra speeds and my processor is on 60% load.

Also if you want to play games on your PC at higher resolutions on your tv again a better graphics card would be better.

At the end of the day it all depends on what use you want to put it to.
I used to run a xp1700, fx5200 graphics card on my htpc connected to a CRT TV and that was fine for recording/pausing tv, playing divx, xvids, etc.
In fact it even played counterstrike source

I've no interest in playing typical PC games on the TV, I'd get a console for that.

I think probably the best idea is to wait until I get a high res display, then transition my main machine inards (A64 4400+, 6800GT, etc.) to HTPC and get the new quad core chips next year. Upscaling is more important than native HD content until such time as its DRM is cracked and the whole becomes a worthwhile investment.

Thanks anyway.