ATI HD3XXX for HTPC

[Shazinc]

I've read a lot of reviews where just 3d performance is considered for the 3870 and 3850. Sometimes an offhand remark about lower power usage is made, but I haven't seen any mention of fan noise.

I'm building an HTPC and was planning to get an Nvidia 8600GT silent/fanless card. However, since I am also interested in gaming, the new ATI cards are very appealing.

I was wondering if anyone with one of these cards comment on the how they think these cards compare for an HTPC, where the following things matter most:

1. Noise / Heat
2. High Definition Video decoding
3. Size (fitting it into a cramped case)

and lastly, for me

4. Gaming.

I already know about the gaming comparisons from various reviews that focus solely on that. But I am interested in finding out more about the other three.

Thanks!

 

[hclarkjr]

Originally posted by: Shazinc
I've read a lot of reviews where just 3d performance is considered for the 3870 and 3850. Sometimes an offhand remark about lower power usage is made, but I haven't seen any mention of fan noise.

I'm building an HTPC and was planning to get an Nvidia 8600GT silent/fanless card. However, since I am also interested in gaming, the new ATI cards are very appealing.

I was wondering if anyone with one of these cards comment on the how they think these cards compare for an HTPC, where the following things matter most:

1. Noise / Heat
2. High Definition Video decoding
3. Size (fitting it into a cramped case)

and lastly, for me

4. Gaming.

I already know about the gaming comparisons from various reviews that focus solely on that. But I am interested in finding out more about the other three.

Thanks!

look at my thread where i list a lot reviews and you will see that there are reviews that mention fan noise and the size. the size might be an issue as well as most go 9 inches or longer in length from what people say who have been lucky enough to get one before the price gouging took hold

 

[hclarkjr]

look here for noise levels of the fans

 

[seemingly random]

What's probably more important for noise is fan control capability. At low power demands, the gpu fan should be able to spin down to very low speeds. This capability is hard to detect in many reviews.

 

[Shazinc]

Thanks guys. Very helpful.