Any HTPC+Gaming quiet card < $100

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TheArcadian

Junior Member
Nov 2, 2010
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Today I went on Newegg to buy a $107 Gigabyte Silent Cell but its out of stock, and I realized I was potentially making an uninformed choice. Can anyone help me understand my options for a quiet HTPC+gaming card at or around that price point? This is for a midrange HTPC that would be connected to a TV, can play HD content, and handle some games like BioShock (1,2,infinity). See Iago build below. Thanks for your guidance.

The Arcadian
Firetail Syndicate
"I chose the impossible."

------
"Iago" build (prototype) - media
Runs Ubuntu for XBMC
And Windows (XP/7?) for gaming
Xion Red MicroATX case w/ 450W PS
Gigabyte G41-ES2L mobo
2.8Ghz Pentium (Wolfdale line, 2MB C2D) + 2GB RAM
??? Silent Cell or alternative
LG Blu Ray Writer
1.5TB SATA HD
HP Remote & IR
 
Teizo

Teizo

Golden Member
Oct 28, 2010
1,271
31
91
AMD's 5670 would be the best option imho. Nvidia's GT 240 is a good one as well since it is quiet and doesn't use much power, and does decent in gaming so long as AA is not used. But, the 5670 would be the better choice imho.

They all are going to be very quiet, btw...but the Gigabyte one here prolly more so than others.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-340-_-Product

Oh, best yet would be the GTS 450 from MSI which is $95 after rebate:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-527-_-Product
 
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Qbah

Qbah

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2005
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Teizo said:
AMD's 5670 would be the best option imho. Nvidia's GT 240 is a good one as well since it is quiet and doesn't use much power, and does decent in gaming so long as AA is not used. But, the 5670 would be the better choice imho.

They all are going to be very quiet, btw...but the Gigabyte one here prolly more so than others.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-340-_-Product

Oh, best yet would be the GTS 450 from MSI which is $95 after rebate:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-527-_-Product
Click to expand...

The GTS450 will destroy both a GT240 and a HD5670. It's so much faster it's not funny. It's also very quiet (based on reviews, don't own one). Just make sure it will fit inside your case! 450W is plenty for it too.
 
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tviceman

Diamond Member
Mar 25, 2008
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Qbah said:
The GTS450 will destroy both a GT240 and a HD5670. It's so much faster it's not funny. It's also very quiet (based on reviews, don't own one). Just make sure it will fit inside your case! 450W is plenty for it too.
Click to expand...

I second the gts450. Completely silent and good performance for a midrange HTPC setup.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127527

$95 after MIR, free shipping, and free game
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
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Xion Red MicroATX case w/ 450W PS
Click to expand...

Is this your case? If it is, then the first thing is that it requires low profile cards. The second thing is that the "450W" PSU it includes is probably half that at best, and does not have a PCIe power plug. It is an SFX sized power supply and if you want to replace it, you have to use an SFX unit that does not have an 80mm fan sticking out. For instance this SeaSonic SS-300SFD will not fit, but this FSP Group FSP300-60GHS-R will fit.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
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DOH! Blame the internets for double post!
 
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TheArcadian

Junior Member
Nov 2, 2010
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All of you have been very helpful and definitely pointed me in the right direction. I just found a review for a Palit GeForce GTS 450 low profile subtitled "A Godsend for HTPCs?" Link here. The review gives it very good marks for noise and it definitely looks to be sufficient for TV gaming and the newegg reviews are excellent. Newegg link here. It is $129 and I was prepared to spend $107 on the silent cell, so its only a $22 budget stretch. Any other thoughts?

The Arcadian
Firetail Syndicate
"I chose the impossible."
 
Schmide

Schmide

Diamond Member
Mar 7, 2002
5,745
1,036
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TheArcadian said:
I don't think it does - could I use an adapter? (Molex to 6-pin)
Click to expand...

There is an adapter pictured in the newegg link. Since the card uses around 80w and you have a Wolfdale CPU (30w) you'll probably skirt by.
 
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GundamF91

Golden Member
May 14, 2001
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If it's for HTPC, how much 3D acceleration would it need in reality? I thought if it could deal with HD content then it's good to go, and 3D would be wasted power.
 
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TheArcadian

Junior Member
Nov 2, 2010
5
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GundamF91 said:
If it's for HTPC, how much 3D acceleration would it need in reality? I thought if it could deal with HD content then it's good to go, and 3D would be wasted power.
Click to expand...

Sure, the primary purpose is Htpc, but the thinking is if we're going to spend a few hundred on a good multi-media PC anyway, why not get a video card that will let you play more than Reader Rabbit. :cool:

One other issue worth asking about - when I hook up my Zotac 8400GS (current video card placeholder) to the Philips 40" LCD I get major overscan. Are any video cards known to be better at handling overscan issues? The primary OS is Ubuntu and the Nvidia drivers don't seem to have any corrective capabilities.
 
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Stoneburner

Diamond Member
May 29, 2003
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See, you're slowly creeping up the price range. GTS450 looks good? Why not a radeon 5750 for a bit more? or 5770 a bit more than that ? Pretty soon you'll be trying to mod your rig to fit in SLI 480's.

It happens to all of us.

BTW, you can often find 5750's for between $100 and 120 after rebate. They are excellent HTPC cards.

EDIT: This one is $110 after rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1372&cm_re=radeon_5750-_-14-131-372-_-Product
 
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sgordon777

Junior Member
Jan 28, 2010
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TheArcadian said:
Today I went on Newegg to buy a $107 Gigabyte Silent Cell but its out of stock
Click to expand...

Go with a gt240 or an hd5670. Both are in the same class as the 9800gt but newer and less power hungry. I just picked up this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-533-_-Product

and I couldn't be happier with it. Costs $50 after rebate, can run most games at hdtv resolutions, it very, very quiet, and doesnt need alot of power.
 
Teizo

Teizo

Golden Member
Oct 28, 2010
1,271
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Hey man, just in case you run into some trouble with your psu, just found this Ultra X4 Modular MicroATX PSU. All the power you need, and all the connectors you need.

You can use that adpater for the 450, but this psu may be worth looking in to for the future for added stability down the road if you have the money for it. I reckon it will fit your case ok.

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=26612
 
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TheArcadian

Junior Member
Nov 2, 2010
5
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Thanks for the tips. Very much appreciated. Newegg has some great November deals this week, so I was able to pick up the Pailit GTS 460 for about $115 shipped. I'll let you know how it goes. Also got a 2TB WD HD for $82 - these are some amazing deals.
 
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bovinda

Senior member
Nov 26, 2004
692
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Hey Arcadian, was wondering how the Palit card worked out. I'm looking for a similar card for a similar function as you were. Is it pretty quiet? What about when watching blu ray, etc.?
 
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Rezist

Senior member
Jun 20, 2009
726
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The 5750/5770 are the competitors for the GTS450 compare prices and bench's to see whats the best buy.

I believe the 5770 is the fastest of the three and the 5750 and 450 are about equal but I haven't looked at one of these benched in quite some time.
 
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