Quiet Video Card for HTPC

[janteby]

Hello

I need to buy a Video Card for my HTPC....

- I will only be usig this PC for DVD & Blu-Ray playback (no gaming, editing, etc), so I dont need that much horsepower
- PCI Express
- at least 1 HDMI output
- Quiet fan, I dont want to go fanless as the case I have is small so will get hot.
- only takes up 1 slot
- Ideally <50.00, I dont care if it is used or refurbished, so anything on Ebay would be fine, if someone has one to sell

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thank you

 

[Emerald]

ati 5000 series

 

[janteby]

Thank you for your reply

I looked in NewEgg & most of the 5000 series are fanless, which I dont want to get. There are a couple that have small fans, but since they are small are they loud ?

Thank you

 

[paddys09]

The fans on the smaller cards usually cant be heard over the rest of your system. I take it you are looking at low profile versions?

 

[janteby]

No, doesnt have to be low profile.

Rest of system is really quiet, so you still think the small fan wont be heard ?

Thank you
Jeff

 

[paddys09]

I havent purchased any of the lower end cards recently but usually those fans are pretty silent. On most you will be able to control the speed with the catalyst control centre.

Are you playing 3d blurays? Link through some of the cards you were looking at.

 

[paddys09]

Btw, the 6xxx cards take alot more stress off the CPU when decoding blu ray, helping to reduce heat build up in the system. Tbh I think you'd be safe enough with a fanless 6450 if your case can take Standard profile cards. Read the reviews on New Egg, should give you an idea on noise levels if you do get one with a fan.

 

[Wolfshadw]

Sapphire HD 4670

Not saying this is the card you should get, but this is the card I have installed and, as long as I keep it clean, it's quiet enough. From approximately 10' away, I can't hear my HTPC at all.

-Wolf sends

 

[popatim]

The integrated GPU if you have one will handle those functions just fine.
My livingroom htpc has a Radeon hd4250 integrated into the motherbd and the bedroom htpc uses the integrated hd3000 (not affiliated with radeon or ati) of the i3-2105.

Intels Ivy bridge cpu's feature the hd4000 gpu which is alot better than both but I have had absolutely no problems even with the old 4250 in the living room.

I have a fanless gt520 on standby should either of them fail.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125407

you can also get a fanless gt610 but If ir remeber right, its just a rebadged 520.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125427

 

[janteby]

Hello all,

Thank you for all your replies.

I decided to go with an Asus 6450 (30.00), which is fanless. I will take the chance that it wont overheat & if does then I found this which I can then purchase, which should then help

Zalman ZM-SC100 Quiet Graphics Card / System Cooler
http://www.quietpcusa.com/Zalman-ZM-SC100-Quiet-Graphics-Card-System-Cooler-P595.aspx

Thank you !

 

[Sunius]

Don't worry, it will not overheat . It's too weak to do that.