Need a CHEAP gpu with HDMI output

[EniGmA1981]

Hey all, the other half's new computer turned up today - alas while it has onboard graphics for her, there's no HDMI output for streaming movies...

There is a DVI output so would an ATi adapter work there with sound? or do intel not support that? If not then I need an ATi graphics card with HDMI output for as much of a bargain as possible

Will be trawling through the MM as well so if any of you have one you're selling, drop me a message in trust just in case I miss it

By 'cheap' I don't mean value for money... so while that 460GTX you're selling is a snip at £150, that's not "cheap" to me lol

I'm looking at <£50 (preferably <£20)

Go on OcUKers... do your thing: Spec me!!

The first one that grabs my eye is this one:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-118-HT&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=168

Would that be able to stream at 720p? (that's all the telly does, so it doesn't need to be able to run 1080p

 

[cmndr_andi]

If you don't need to game and just want to play movies (including HD ones) then this is the card to get (assuming the pc has a pcie port).

however, you could use an adapter like this - i'm pretty sure it's won't give you sound over hdmi, but the video will be just as good quality as a native hdmi port. would it be possible to route the sound separately to the speakers or tv (perhaps using a 3.5mm to rca cable)?

may i ask what s1156 motherboard she is using (you can check using CPU-Z) and what TV/speakers she is using with it?

 

[ChrisSmith3]

I.M.O. a 460 @ £150 is a bit of a rip off

 

[EniGmA1981]

I.M.O. a 460 @ £150 is a bit of a rip off

LOL was just a random figure for a random card... maybe a 480 @ £150?

It's a Panasonic 37" and it's just using the standard built-in speakers

That's the card I was thinking of - we COULD route the audio with a seperate cable but we've already got a 10m HDMI lead snaking from the dining room to the living room lol, don't really fancy having two wires where one will do

Thanks - I'll tell her she needs to spend an extra £30 before she can watch films lol

 

[bledd]

I have that exact card in my HTPC

Works flawlessly as a media centre card 1080P output with great sound

 

[EniGmA1981]

I have that exact card in my HTPC

Works flawlessly as a media centre card 1080P output with great sound

Sounds like a done deal then

Incidentally, her mobo is a Foxconn H55MXV ...? any good for overclocking?

Her i3-550 is running it 17c at stock on the stock cooler- gotta be good for 4ghz hasn't it

 

[cmndr_andi]

Unfortunately, unless I am missing something then according to this there is no way to overclock the CPU through the BIOS with that motherboard (for example there are no options to increase the BCLK and Vcore).

 

[EniGmA1981]

Well that's just gob****e It would appear that failing the hitachi credit check has been disastrous for more than one reason then

Any way to change a motherboard without voiding a warranty? lol

Thanks for your help anyway pal

 

[cmndr_andi]

Any way to change a motherboard without voiding a warranty? lol

Technically, you probably can't (though you would get a separate warranty for the new motherboard).

 

[zack1uk]

You don't need to spend anywhere near that amount of dosh on a video card for watching movies.

Any of the lower spec ATI 5 series will offload all the HD decoding from the CPU to the GPU (if you are using something like MPC HD as your player). Nvidia has its CUDA technology but that was not as well supported by software players as teh ATI solution was. Also, when I last built a htpc, the Nvidia cards would not send any HD audio over HDMI, everything was either down-coded to DTS / DD or sent as LPCM (which requires that the receiving end supports it). That may have changed now.....

There is a very good home theater forum on AV forums, where you will see recommendations for ATI cards around £30 to £40 that will do everything that you need.

Edit: really must read all teh posts fully......I just saw the Nvidia 460 post and thought whaaaaaaaattttt. That card you linked in teh op will be ideal, and give you decent future proofing if you ever upgrade the TV and / or buy an AV reciever.

 

[OrWolf]

The 5450 is an excellent card for the money. I have one in my htpc under the telly, and its a bonus being a silent card. oh, and 720 & 1080 are no problem for the little beastie.

 

[Caracus2k]

6450 can be had for £35 (512mb ddr3) and is the latest HDMI 1.4 spec- so can be used for 3d Blu Rays or if you don't need this a 5450 as above for a bit less is fine