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Cheap HDMI HTPC

Tags:
  • Graphics Cards
  • HDMI
  • Graphics
  • Product
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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February 24, 2011 11:25:18 PM

I need to buy a video card with an HDMI output so I can use my comp effectively as a HTPC. I need it to be able to play 1920x1080 resolution videos (at a minimum of 30fps) as well as output 7.1 LPCM over the HDMI without any lag.
My system is a Core 2 Duo (2.80GHz) with 4gb of DDR2 (800MHz) and am limited to a 300 watt PSU. My main concern is just getting something good enough to work while keeping it as cheap as possible. I have been looking into either a GT210 or a GT220, but I have heard something like an ATI 4670 would be much stronger at around the same cost. Another concern is noise, as I have read reports that the GT220 fan is very loud. I would like to keep the final cost (after rebates and such) to below 60$, so what would be your suggestions?

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a b U Graphics card
February 25, 2011 11:18:43 AM

I suggest you look at more recent families of video cards. You can easily find quiet/passively cooled cards that will do what you want.

For AMD/ATI, consider the HD5450, HD5550, or HD5570
For Nvidia, consider the GT 430

If you watch content that needs a lot of post-processing and you want the video card to handle the processing instead of the CPU, the HD5550 or HD5570 would be more ideal. I'm not sure what post-processing the 430 is capable of, so that may also be a good choice.
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February 25, 2011 12:32:31 PM

The only thing I question in looking into more recent video cards is their cost, as I find it very unlikely to find something like that will still being around 60$.
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March 6, 2011 11:28:57 PM

Best answer selected by flamesofbob.
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