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| Thread ID: 95582 | 2008-12-10 23:47:00 | Which Graphics Card for an HTPC? | nofam (9009) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 727538 | 2008-12-10 23:47:00 | Or specifically, which features? I'm looking at this (www.nzoczone.com) (knowing booger all about graphics cards! :D) I think passive cooling would be great from a noise point-of-view, and would also like HDMI output (does DVI-to-HDMI cause any quality loss, and does it prevent HDCP?) Sorry if this is going over old ground, but graphics cards seem to come and go so quickly, I thought it would be good to ask again. :thumbs: |
nofam (9009) | ||
| 727539 | 2008-12-10 23:53:00 | Can't help you in terms of HTPC. But if you go with a passively cooled graphics card make sure your case has decent airflow. |
stormdragon (6013) | ||
| 727540 | 2008-12-10 23:55:00 | If you use DVI-HDMI it should be the same as HDMI, (since DVI and HDMI pins are identical), but you'll have to use separate sound if you want it. Since DVI doesnt carry sound BUT to use HDCP, the card and your monitor (I think) have to support it I was going to get a Nvidia card, for a similar thing. BUT in the end, I got an ATI card (NOT that I love ATI :p) with HDMI and 5:1 audio on it. Previous Nvidia cards / drivers I did have, (esp the drivers), did nothing but crash. |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 727541 | 2008-12-11 00:22:00 | Mate has a 4870 with a DVI to HDMI adaptor going to a 40" Sony LCD TV. Sound works great. | wratterus (105) | ||
| 727542 | 2008-12-11 00:26:00 | Hey, DVI and HDMI are the same quality except HDMI carries sound. Here is the confusing part :D If you get the ATI Radeo 4850 or 4870 they will carry sound through DVI, not sure how but it does it :) I thought just the monitor needed to be HDCP compatible? --- As for OC Zone -> They're crap!!! They'll try and sell you some 'pirated' versions of graphic cards, like they did to me. Half the items on their site aren't even in stock. If I was you I'd go to PlayTech, they're cool. I got the Sapphire 4850 from them, toxic (OC'd) edition and its mint, no problems so far. Monitor always running 1920x1024. Good luck, Gregor |
WarNox (8772) | ||
| 727543 | 2008-12-11 00:33:00 | Toms Hardware have just released their graphics card comparison. (www.tomshardware.com) They suggest an ATI 4650 for HTPC's. You can pick one up for $132 at C1, or $150 at Ascent. Not passively cooled, but hopefully shouldn't be too loud. |
Thebananamonkey (7741) | ||
| 727544 | 2008-12-11 01:55:00 | I think passive cooling would be great from a noise point-of-view, : Bad idea. Is it one if those piddly cramped space cases? It would fry. AIrflow, cooling, airflow, cooling...........you get the idea, |
pctek (84) | ||
| 727545 | 2008-12-11 02:01:00 | Bad idea. Is it one if those piddly cramped space cases? It would fry. AIrflow, cooling, airflow, cooling...........you get the idea, Agreed. You don't notice the noise from the fan too much, it's like living with a heat pump. You don't even notice the noise after a few weeks. I have seen many a fanless graphics card cooked. It's either get a card with a fan, or soup up the case cooling to a point where it more than likely would be louder than the graphics card anyway. :) |
wratterus (105) | ||
| 727546 | 2008-12-11 02:39:00 | Bad idea . Is it one if those piddly cramped space cases? It would fry . AIrflow, cooling, airflow, cooling . . . . . . . . . . . you get the idea, Cool - thanks guys . . . just the sort of info I need!! :thumbs: How about this ( . pcworks . co . nz/catalog/index . php?main_page=product_info&cPath=210&products_id=1907" target="_blank">www . pcworks . co . nz) then? Has a good range of outputs, and DDR3, which is good right? |
nofam (9009) | ||
| 727547 | 2008-12-11 03:17:00 | SHOPS: Computer Lounge Ascent Playtech Me BRANDS: Asus Gigabyte |
pctek (84) | ||
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