HTPC video card?

Nvidia 8600???

I recently build a HTPC, the hardware is as follows,

CPU: Intel Dual Core E5300 2.6ghz 2mb cache SLB9U
Foxconn Motherboard model # g31mv-k
4gig Kingston value RAM DDR2-6400 (800)
2x WDC Raptor 150gig SATA I
DVD-R/W model # TS-H652D
ZU-Max 400W ATX 2.0 PSU ( I get these from work, they are great lower end power units)
Video Card: MSI 9400GT 256mb (N9400GT-MD256 - MS-V133)

Now my main question is, should this PC play 1080p to my RCA 42" LCD without the picture slowing down from time to time?

If the answer is NO then would a 9400GT 512mb make any difference?

If the answer is NO again what card would you suggest? If I am going to go with a new card I would like to go with ATI for the built on sound of the HDMI Capable cards.

Thanks in advance

-memphis

The best would probably be the ATI HD 4650 which uses roughly 40w of power. In a article over at Xbitlabs.com about video playback quality the HD 46xx series and the 9600GT tied for first place in terms of overall quality. Since "visual quality" differ from person to person slightly it is somewhat subjective.

The HD 4650 is also power enough for some light gaming should the need arise. The HD 4670 offers a good balance between moderate gaming, video quality and power consumption (47w). The 9600GT is also a good card for moderate gaming, and video quality, but uses slightly more power (60w) than the HD 4670.

a 9400 gt is fine for blueray playback if you use something that uses the hardware decoder. like powerdvd or windvd. vlc/mplayer/windows media player all use the cpu to decode and so processor rather than video card is the bottleneck.

only thing that 9400 wont do is gaming.

to the op:
since you game i wont recommend anything under a 9800gtx $100ish after that save for a gtx260-216core. or "your favorite ati card here"