Bluray card advise

[LxMxFxD4]

I have an 8800GT that is over 2 years old. I use it for gaming but most importantly I use it for 2xDVI to my monitors.

I just added a 46" samsung 1080p tv that needs an HDMI connection. So, time for a second card.

Since the 8800GT is aging, im stuck between

1. Buying a new card that performs better than the 8800GT which i'd use to power HDMI and my primary DVI monitor. Then I'd have the 8800 just powering my 2nd monitor, lol
2. Buying an HDMI card solely for Blu ray.

I'm leaning toward the second option but looking at reviews here, 5450 is too underpowered to playback blurays and the 5570 starting price point is about $90. Might as well spend another $60 and get a new card considering I could eventually crossfire it since my mobo only supports xfire.

Thoughts?

 

[blanketyblank]

what's your psu?
I'd go for a 5770 and keep 8800gt for physx and maybe 1 monitor.

 

[LxMxFxD4]

what's your psu?
I'd go for a 5770 and keep 8800gt for physx and maybe 1 monitor.

antec earthwatts 430. Its probably more like 500W supply, realistically.

whats physx useful for? the 8800 would only be used for 2d displaying a 1280x1024 monitor, lol

 

[blanketyblank]

Just some extra effects like leaves blowing in certain games like batman. not big, but if you've got it might as well. need certain drivers though.
I think a 500 watt shouldn't have a problem with a 5770 + not really used 8800.

 

[Attic]

5770 looks perfect for your situation if you don't mind spending the money of the cheaper lower powered alternatives.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

DVI-to-HDMI cable.

Optical out on your motherboard for sound.

 

[blanketyblank]

DVI-to-HDMI cable.

Optical out on your motherboard for sound.

He would need a second gpu since his current card would only support 2 DVI outs and there's no dvi on the mobo.

 

[edplayer]

why not get a card with hdmi, dvi and d-sub (and get an adaptor for d-sub)?

 

[blanketyblank]

why not get a card with hdmi, dvi and d-sub (and get an adaptor for d-sub)?

I'm pretty sure those don't support output on all three at the same time. Only the 5xxx series with DP can support 3 monitors I believe.

 

[nenforcer]

I would get a Geforce GT 240 512 / 1 GB GDDR5 with HDMI and use that card as the PhysX card / Bluray HDMI connection and keep your 8800GT as primary card until you feel like upgrading it.

 

[djnsmith7]

One of the main reasons I upgraded to a 5850 was because I wanted native HDMI support for my plasma display & BR player & receiver. Never had much luck with the DVI > HDMI dongles / cables, etc., so I don't bother with them anymore.

My native HDMI connection is flawless & I get full 1080p from my BR player > HD Receiver > plasma display. If the card doesn't have onboard HDMI, I wouldn't even look at it for this application.