HTPC Video Card upgrade

cheesemanx · Oct 31, 2014

I was given 2 computers for free this week. A Dell Optiplex 790 with an i5-2400 and an Optiplex 780 with a Core 2 Duo E7500. The 790 is to be converted into a SFF gaming rig. The 780 is also the SFF version and I was thinking it would make a great HTPC for the living room. The question I have is I don't want to spend much if any money on the 780 (would rather pour into the 790), but it has the Intel X4500 integrated graphics in it, can that "GPU" play videos both online and my ripped HD videos or should I buy a cheap graphics card to put in it?

Wolfshadw · Oct 31, 2014

The Intel X4500 might stumble a bit playing back the HD content you have. I'd give it a thorough test before dropping any cash on an upgrade though. *IF* it doesn't perform to your liking, then go ahead an upgrade. I'd say something along the lines of a Geforce GT630/Radeon R7-250.

-Wolf sends

cheesemanx · Nov 3, 2014

This weekend I had a chance to get the machine setup, and I can report it will get the job done but barely. You can watch HD movies both locally and online. The x4500 that Dell uses is a "custom" gpu and factory intel drivers don't work, I would get errors and blue screens when trying to Youtube vids. FYI, the 790 with the i5 (upgraded with an SSD and 750 Ti) makes one heck of a better machine, not that everyone doesn't know that already.

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HTPC Video Card upgrade

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