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HTPC graphics card

ramdor

ramdor

ramdor

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Joined
22 May 2003
Posts
571
Looking at replacing a 7800gtx on my media pc with a hdcp compliant one. Pc spec is an AMD X2 4800 at stock with 2 gigs ram on a DFI Lanparty UT-SLI DR mobo. Wanting to be able to run games and stuff on it too, such as Richard Burns Rally, GTR2, EvE, LFS with lots of eye candy. Looking at the two cards below unless someone can recommend me something else. Need to be quiet(ish) too.

BFG GeForce 8800 GTS OC 320MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express)

BFG GeForce 8800 GTS OC 640MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express)

Which one should I go for? 640mb or 320mb?

Cheers !
 
Yeah agree the 640 would be better at that res. Have you thought about the 2900xt as I think that has better HDTP features although I could be wrong.
 
can the gts 640 play games at 1680x1050 easily with max setting what
about games like bioshock and crysis and other newer games
i was thinking of getting a gtx or would that be over kill for 1680x1050
 
jonathan may said:
can the gts 640 play games at 1680x1050 easily with max setting what
about games like bioshock and crysis and other newer games
i was thinking of getting a gtx or would that be over kill for 1680x1050
Click to expand...

Well we cant be sure as those games aint out yet :p the GTX is the faster card and more future proof so to speak so if you can afford and dont mind forking out the extra £100 or so then go for it. The 8800 GTX might be a bit overkill for that res with todays games but i feel that it wont be wasted with Games like Crysis so it might be worth paying the extra for it.
 
Gaming rig & htpc dont go togther.

I think its better u build a budget HTPC & a seperate gaming rig.

A) 8800 line of cards are poor at HD playback as they dont offload the cpu.
B) You will have higher temps when gaming & in an undervolted, quite air based HTPC (desktop sytle case)

Just my 2 cents
 
Oxy said:
Gaming rig & htpc dont go togther.

I think its better u build a budget HTPC & a seperate gaming rig.

A) 8800 line of cards are poor at HD playback as they dont offload the cpu.
B) You will have higher temps when gaming & in an undervolted, quite air based HTPC (desktop sytle case)

Just my 2 cents
Click to expand...
i have to agree here
 
Oxy said:
Gaming rig & htpc dont go togther.

I think its better u build a budget HTPC & a seperate gaming rig.

A) 8800 line of cards are poor at HD playback as they dont offload the cpu.
B) You will have higher temps when gaming & in an undervolted, quite air based HTPC (desktop sytle case)

Just my 2 cents
Click to expand...


Not true, all Nvidia GPU's since 6000 series have Purevideo, some do more than others, the later 8500/8600's have Purevideo2.

MS removed functions from WMP11 for XP so you need to use Vista, or use WMP10 in XP.

Someone last week tried to tell me the same, I have a 8800Ultra on XP, also running the Nvidia DVD decoder though (not free) WMV HD, Apples HD, Neros HD and H/X.264 all work with little CPU use.

Its true both Nvidia and MS are trying to make us use Vista though, some apsects are now missing from newer Nvidia XP drivers but in the Vista drivers.

http://www.nvidia.com/docs/CP/11036/PureVideo_Product_Comparison.pdf

Take look at that .PDF and try tell me they dont have Purevideo, its just a pity high ends 8000's missed out on newer Purevideo2, I also had this on 6800Ultra AGP, it had missing/broken aspects that 6600's later had.

Your missing 1 aspect of WMV and 1 aspect of H.264 on both SD and HD with a 8800 over a 8500/8600 card, should not matter much on a modern Dual/Quad core CPU.
 
Last edited:
helmutcheese said:
Your missing 1 aspect of WMV and 1 aspect of H.264 on both SD and HD with a 8800 over a 8500/8600 card.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately the missing aspects from the 8800 are the ones which offset the most arduous tasks. Using a 8500/8600 card will allow you to use a less powerful, and cooler, CPU which means a quieter HTPC.
 
But that was not the object of my post m8, peeps saying that 8000's do not have Purevideo are totally wrong, the evidence is easy to obtain on Nvidia site, for his use I sould get the 8500/8600 as less power hungry/cooler etc but not going to game great, he could also wait on newer cards in Nov (meant to be anyhow).
 
Nobody in this thread has said that 8800 cards do not have Purevideo. Only that other cards have greater capability.
 
Yes they did in different wording ;)

Quote

" A) 8800 line of cards are poor at HD playback as they dont offload the cpu."

They do offload HD in one form or another, so again thats false info Ive had 6800/7800/7900 and now 8800 and they all work for the HD stuff most have AXX to esp Trailers online.

I do know whats each series has got and has not got.

I even tested it with 1 core running only weeks ago on other rig before it fried, in some thread about Purevideo.
 
Last edited:
The 8800 has purevideo.

The 8400/8500/8600 has Purevideo 2 (HD) - they are better for H.264 / VC1 etc.
 
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