8600GT ok for blu-ray and E2200?

fwacct4

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Jun 12, 2008
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I will not be gaming at all.

I just want the best HTPC video card for HDTV without breaking the bank. The card will be used to watch any video format available on HTPC including Blu-ray and anything else that might work the CPU and Video card more.

So is the 8600GT enough for this task?
 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
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Originally posted by: Scholzpdx
Oh geez, get a 3450. Save some $$ man.

That's what I was going to say. Why spend the money on a 8600GT when you could spend 40 bucks for the Radeon 3450 and get a better video decoder? There's no need for a 8600GT if you're not gaming at all.
 

fwacct4

Member
Jun 12, 2008
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Originally posted by: Bateluer
Originally posted by: Scholzpdx
Oh geez, get a 3450. Save some $$ man.

That's what I was going to say. Why spend the money on a 8600GT when you could spend 40 bucks for the Radeon 3450 and get a better video decoder? There's no need for a 8600GT if you're not gaming at all.

Thanks for that great suggestion. I didn't consider the low end ATI 3xxx series.

For HD viewing, are there any advantages of getting a 3650, or does the additional cost go into 3D rendering instead?

Also, how about 3470?
 

MarcVenice

Moderator Emeritus <br>
Apr 2, 2007
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For no gaming at all, buy a 780g motherboard paired with a cheap AMD cpu. Done ! No videocard needed.
 

bruceyg

Senior member
Jan 8, 2007
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totally agree, low cost, low power consumed and quiet system, better opiton for a HTPC.

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
For no gaming at all, buy a 780g motherboard paired with a cheap AMD cpu. Done ! No videocard needed.

 

fwacct4

Member
Jun 12, 2008
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Originally posted by: bruceyg
totally agree, low cost, low power consumed and quiet system, better opiton for a HTPC.

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
For no gaming at all, buy a 780g motherboard paired with a cheap AMD cpu. Done ! No videocard needed.

Ok, that sounds like a good idea.

But I already have an Intel motherboard, so in terms of the ATI video cards, are there any significant improvements for getting an ATI 3470 or ATI 3650 over the 3450 for HD viewing?
 

BassBomb

Diamond Member
Nov 25, 2005
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Originally posted by: fwacct4
Originally posted by: bruceyg
totally agree, low cost, low power consumed and quiet system, better opiton for a HTPC.

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
For no gaming at all, buy a 780g motherboard paired with a cheap AMD cpu. Done ! No videocard needed.

Ok, that sounds like a good idea.

But I already have an Intel motherboard, so in terms of the ATI video cards, are there any significant improvements for getting an ATI 3470 or ATI 3650 over the 3450 for HD viewing?

They have the same decoder, so unlikely big difference there. There would be a difference for gaming though.

Remember that you will need to get proper program/codecs to actually use the decoding features. Otherwise it will be all cpu
 

Jester666

Senior member
Mar 20, 2004
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Originally posted by: fwacct4

Ok, that sounds like a good idea.

But I already have an Intel motherboard, so in terms of the ATI video cards, are there any significant improvements for getting an ATI 3470 or ATI 3650 over the 3450 for HD viewing?

HD viewing only, no difference between these cards. These are all inadequate for any real gaming, so I would just get something cheap and passively cooled.
 

s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
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Just make sure you get one with the HDMI adapter, in case you want to use that.