HTPC Graphics Card

I have a HTPC and have decided to add a graphics card. Heat is always an issue... 4890 or GTX 275? Which runs cooler? Does anyone know if the new DX 11 cards will run cooler?

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i have the 4890 VapourX version, it runs quite frosty in my box and all my fans are set to low, and it's (supposedly) summer here in the uk.

it's got quite a nice bit of punch too, it'll run you roughly 314 of your american bucklets, i think...

Reply to proletarian

314 dollars? heck no... thats a rip off for a 4890.

Reply to uncfan_2563

HTPCs don't need that powerful of a card. You could save yourself some money and get a cheaper card that will still perform all your home theater needs just fine. My personal recommendation always goes out to the 4870, because it's price/performance ratio is amazing right now. I would recommend waiting for the DX 11 cards though. Even if there are none that fit into your price range/performance needs, they should drop the prices of current cards.

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Reply to FallenSniper

FallenSniper wrote :

HTPCs don't need that powerful of a card. You could save yourself some money and get a cheaper card that will still perform all your home theater needs just fine. My personal recommendation always goes out to the 4870, because it's price/performance ratio is amazing right now. I would recommend waiting for the DX 11 cards though. Even if there are none that fit into your price range/performance needs, they should drop the prices of current cards.

4870 for home theater is ludicrous, even a 4670 would be overkill (btw, the IGP on the 780G aka HD3300 runs HD just fine)

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Reply to mindless728

Yes, and if you get a low enough power GPU you could even get a fanless one (which equals less noise which is a definite plus for an HTPC).

------------------------------ Phenom II X4 940 BE 3.0GHz - 1.25V > GA-MA790GP-DS4H > XFX ATI 4850 1GB > 4GB OCZ Platinum 1066MHz 5-5-5-15-2T > PCP&C 610W
Athlon II X2 250 3.0GHz > GA-MA770T-UD3P > Sapphire ATI 4650 512MB DDR3 > 4GB OCZ Platinum 1600MHz@1066MHz > XP/Win7 Enter 64
Reply to EXT64

How much gaming performance do you want?

Generally speaking, if you are looking to play the occasional game at, then I recommend the HD 4770. Look for the XFX version that exhausts out the rear.

If are not going to play any games then buy the HD 4650.

my htpc just runs on the onboard graphics (80 dollars), the 785g chipset from amd/ati. no need for a seperate graphics card.

mindless728 wrote :

4870 for home theater is ludicrous, even a 4670 would be overkill (btw, the IGP on the 780G aka HD3300 runs HD just fine)

Yeah but you can get a 4870 for like $140 i think, and that's before prices drop from the 5 series. 4870 for $120 or less...how could you not recommend that?

Here's what would be the very best for your needs I think:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121320

Message edited by FallenSniper on 09-09-2009 at 06:13:30 AM

Reply to FallenSniper

I am running 1080p on my 42 in. samsung. I would like to get something now, but with these knew ones being announced, I just don't know. I want to be able to play all the games in great quality, this will be my all in one pc,

Reply to dirtyrat

I have two mboards I can use; I have a ASUS P5Q-EM Micro Atx, and a GIGABYTE GA-E7AUM-DS2H which has the integrated nvidia 9400.. I could go with either one but I do want to have a very capable card. 200 - 300 Dollar range keeping in mind lower temperature cards if there is such a thing

Message edited by dirtyrat on 09-09-2009 at 07:04:44 AM

Reply to dirtyrat

Quote :

I am running 1080p on my 42 in. samsung. I would like to get something now, but with these knew ones being announced, I just don't know. I want to be able to play all the games in great quality, this will be my all in one pc,

Ok that changes a lot. If you want to play games then you should wait until the series comes out so it drops the prcies of the current cards, then look to buy.

Reply to FallenSniper

Definitely wait. The annoucement should be very soon, and I don't see how it could hurt prices (and who knows, you may decide you like the new ones enough to wait/pay extra for them).

------------------------------ Phenom II X4 940 BE 3.0GHz - 1.25V > GA-MA790GP-DS4H > XFX ATI 4850 1GB > 4GB OCZ Platinum 1066MHz 5-5-5-15-2T > PCP&C 610W
Athlon II X2 250 3.0GHz > GA-MA770T-UD3P > Sapphire ATI 4650 512MB DDR3 > 4GB OCZ Platinum 1600MHz@1066MHz > XP/Win7 Enter 64
Reply to EXT64

That was my initial thought. I guess we wont know about the heat/performance until they are released. I appreciate the advice from you all. Feel free to keep it coming.

Reply to dirtyrat

how bout the 4850/4870 vapor x ?

Reply to obsidian86

I had a saphire 4870 vapor x 1 gig, gave it to my dad now he has two running in crossfire in my old cosmos case ( which also had a rampage mb, which was running a intel extreme quad q9650 (130 watt)) Anyway doesnt the 4870 run hot?

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Reply to dirtyrat

dirtyrat wrote :

I had a saphire 4870 vapor x 1 gig, gave it to my dad now he has two running in crossfire in my old cosmos case ( which also had a rampage mb, which was running a intel extreme quad q9650 (130 watt)) Anyway doesnt the 4870 run hot?

You wouldn't know since you had one?

I have the 4870 Vapor-X 1GB, and it idles around 47C and loads around 60-65C.

Edit:

It also runs a bit hotter when choking it with my 8800GT, idles around 55C and loads around 75C.

Message edited by jedimasterben on 09-09-2009 at 07:36:54 PM

Reply to jedimasterben

It tends to run a little warm, but there are a lot of versions available with better cooling systems.

Reply to FallenSniper

most modern graphics cards run hot ati's more then nvidia but not by much

Reply to obsidian86

Thanks for the advice. I convinced my father to give me one of his Sapphire 4870 1 gig with heatpipes (before the toxic was released) for now. Will wait for new generations of nvidia and ati before purchasing.

Reply to dirtyrat

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