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HTPC Card that can play games and is quiet?

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - HTPC Card that can play games and is quiet?

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dos1986   03-17-2008 at 02:26:08 PM

Is their such a thing?

I have recently built a new pc for very cheap, recycling old parts here and there.I was using a x1300pro which handled hd video fine but It cant play any games above low settings, so I need a new card...

Its has to be quiet, have great playback of Hd including all the new features to play Blu Ray, can play latest games at ok settings and not cost over €50..

System specs...

E2160 @ 2.93ghz
P31 Dsl3
2gb ocz pc6400 @ 866mhz
Pioneer 5X Blu-Ray Reader
Corsair 450 watt
LG 42" Plasma 1024 x 768 ( native res)
500gb hd
Vista Home Premium

http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=330631

Been looking at these, but I know ( someone here) can help me do better on my strict budget...


Radeon X1650 Pro 512MB GDDR2 PCIE 2xDVI 500/660MHz €38 + €5 posted ( Not sure about HD/Blu Ray playback)

http://www.dabs.ie/productview.asp [...] 1,43990000

GeForce 8400GS 256MB DDR2 PCIE DVI TVO 450/800MHz €36 + €5 posted

http://www.dabs.ie/productview.asp [...] 1,43990000

MSI Radeon X2400PRO 256MB DDR2 PCIE Dual DVI 525/800 €36 + €5 posted

http://www.dabs.ie/productview.asp [...] 1,43990000

HIS Radeon X1650GT 256MB GDDR3, IceQ, PCI-Express, 2xDVI/Tv-Out, Retail €40 + €5 posted

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct. [...] 9510&cat=8

256Mb nVidia GeForce 7600GT 7600 GT €37 + €13 posted

http://cgi.ebay.ie/256Mb-nVidia-Ge [...] m153.l1262

SAPPHIRE ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB €34 + €13 posted

http://cgi.ebay.ie/SAPPHIRE-ATI-Ra [...] dZViewItem

The x1650gt/7600GT are catching my eye, but how noisy will they be and would they very hot if I turned the fans down alot with rivatuner?

Also Im a little skeptical at their ability to play Blu Ray as the x1300 pro was being pushed to its limits playing it? ( I have a dvi to hdmi adapter)

What do you think, would the HD3450 be the best option for low res gaming/blu ray ( 1024 by 768)?





Message edited by dos1986 on 03-17-2008 at 02:31:12 PM
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dev1se   03-17-2008 at 02:40:49 PM
- 0 +

Try out the Sapphire HD2400 PRO... There's a model that comes with HDMI Out, including a HDMI cable, clocked at 1ghz DDR2.

Also has low profile bracket included and is very quiet indeed.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to dev1se
dos1986   03-17-2008 at 02:45:38 PM
- 0 +

dev1se wrote :

Try out the Sapphire HD2400 PRO... There's a model that comes with HDMI Out, including a HDMI cable, clocked at 1ghz DDR2.

Also has low profile bracket included and is very quiet indeed.



Sounds perfect, do you know what sites in the uk/Ireland that sell it?

Cant seem to find it?

Reply to dos1986
dev1se   03-17-2008 at 02:48:39 PM
- 0 +

Look on ebuyer.com

It's priced at £30.01 , so you know you're getting the right one.

Reply to dev1se
dos1986   03-17-2008 at 02:51:11 PM
- 0 +

Bit expensive, is this the right one ?

Sapphire Radeon HD 2400 PRO 256MB DDR2, PCI-Express, HDMI/DVI/HDCP €35 + €13 postage

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?s [...] roductTabs

Is it fast enough to play games at my res?

Reply to dos1986
dev1se   03-17-2008 at 02:56:05 PM
- 0 +

Yeah thats the same one... I think its good value for money considering the HDMI Out & HDMI Cable, plus fully low profile compatible.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to dev1se
dos1986   03-17-2008 at 02:59:13 PM
- 0 +

dev1se wrote :

Yeah thats the same one... I think its good value for money considering the HDMI Out & HDMI Cable, plus fully low profile compatible.



Nice features alright, but its a slow as my x1300pro...

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews [...] Pro/9.html

Reply to dos1986
dev1se   03-17-2008 at 03:07:04 PM
- 0 +

The next best thing is the 8600GT Low profile HDMI card, priced at £59.99 on there...

Great card... overclocks well.

Message quoted 1 times
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dos1986   03-17-2008 at 03:18:08 PM
- 0 +

dev1se wrote :

The next best thing is the 8600GT Low profile HDMI card, priced at £59.99 on there...

Great card... overclocks well.



Cant afford that only have €50/£35

What about 8400gs, faster than HD 2400

http://www.dabs.ie/productview.asp [...] 3990000,11

Reply to dos1986
dev1se   03-17-2008 at 03:21:35 PM
- 0 +

The XFX one is available at ebuyer for 24.99, and it overclocks nicely if required to. 450mhz core > 650mhz Core quite easily

But its got no HDMI.. if that matters to you?

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to dev1se
dos1986   03-17-2008 at 03:29:07 PM
- 0 +

dev1se wrote :

The XFX one is available at ebuyer for 24.99, and it overclocks nicely if required to. 450mhz core > 650mhz Core quite easily

But its got no HDMI.. if that matters to you?



I will get the HD 2400, the 8400gs isnt much faster and doesnt look like its full hdcp...

Any idea if Nvidia are releasing a 9400gs or something in a few weeks?

Bit of a joke that you cant get a graphics that can play games on lowest settings for €40 in this day and age...


Message edited by dos1986 on 03-17-2008 at 03:29:35 PM
Reply to dos1986
dev1se   03-17-2008 at 03:34:43 PM
- 0 +

The HD2400 can play Source games on decent settings and still maintain a decent FPS...

You'll be pleasantly surprised by its performance... it's not all that bad.

Reply to dev1se
KyleSTL   03-17-2008 at 04:38:05 PM
- 0 +

I would say either a 2600Pro or XT or a 3650. I don't think the 2400, 8400, or 8600GT are worth owning.

If you throw a Accelero S1 on it, it'll be totally silent and have decent temperatures (provided you have a big enough case for it).

------------------------------ Lian-Li PC-7B | XClio Greatpower 550W | P4 3.2 Prescott SL7E5 | Scythe Ninja
2GB DDR400 Corsair VS (4*512) | eVGA nVidia GF 7600GS AGP vmod 1.46/1.91 OCd 759/907
WD 160GB & 640GB SATA
WinXP MCE 2004
 Reply to KyleSTL
firebird   03-17-2008 at 04:42:54 PM
- 0 +

I'm using a 2600 pro with heat-pipe cooling and the card runs great. I watch almost all my movies now in HD, either BluRay or HD-DVD, and they play excellent. I'm using the PC on my 46" Sharp @1080p, and I can even play COD4 @ that resolution. Settings aren't on high, but it still looks really good.

------------------------------ Maximus Formula | q9550@3.6 | 4 GB Kingston HyperX @1106 5-5-5-15-2t | Zalman 9700 | Silverstone 750 | Sapphire 3870x2 | Visontek 3870 OC | 500 GB Vista 32 OS | 74 GB Raptor RAID0 | 74 GB Raptor RAID1 |Samsung SATA DVD | X-Fi Fatal1ty | Thermaltake Armor
 Reply to firebird
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