confused...2600xt, 8600gt, or 8600gts for HTPC?

[delpis]

i will never game. my budget is $100, but i could go to $125. i will be watching 35% 720p/1080i/1080p, 50% DVD, 15% avi files. i would like to know the best overall card for image quality, upconversion, and performance (no stuttering/choppiness). i don't know all the good sites, so the following 2 articles are the best i came up with.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3047&p=1

http://www.tomshardware.com/20...s_purevideo/index.html

what makes it even more confusing is that the more recent article doesn't test the 8600gt (i have no idea if it performs the same as the gts) and both recommend a different card for a non-gamer. btw here are some of my specs:

sony KD30XS955
q6600
2gb ram
vista

 

[swtethan]

no gaming? 8400gs

 

[swtethan]

why spend $100 on what a $50 card can do also http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814125080

 

[s44]

Because it won't do full 1080p.

 

[ClockHound]

Under $100, this card provides 1080p:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102103

Full 1080p support from nVidia starts with the 8800GT

Seems 8400, 8500, 8600 can only do 1080i.

 

[Dinosaur]

$99.99 after rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814131066

Enjoy

 

[Denithor]

Even better:

GeCube 2600XT OC Dual-Slot Cooler $95 after MIR

Exhausts hot air out of your case so your system fans can run slower/quieter.

 

[JimiP]

For an HTPC system, I would highly recommend the HD2600XT. But if you want an HTPC with a little more power to game, I would go with the 8600GTS.

 

[nonameo]

Originally posted by: JimiP
For an HTPC system, I would highly recommend the HD2600XT. But if you want an HTPC with a little more power to game, I would go with the 8600GTS.

What about the HD3850? doesn't it have all of the media center capabilities of the 2600XT?

 

[JimiP]

Originally posted by: nonameo

Originally posted by: JimiP
For an HTPC system, I would highly recommend the HD2600XT. But if you want an HTPC with a little more power to game, I would go with the 8600GTS.

What about the HD3850? doesn't it have all of the media center capabilities of the 2600XT?

The HD3850 would be a great choice. However, it's a little more expensive than the HD2600XT & 8600GTS.

 

[redice]

Originally posted by: swtethan
no gaming? 8400gs

I purchased this video card to keep my pc running while I sent in my 8800gts for step up. And I can tell you that this video card will not do for 1080P.

 

[Cheex]

A good balance in price/performance for an HTPC would be an 8500GT.

:thumbsup:

 

[nonameo]

Originally posted by: JimiP

Originally posted by: nonameo

Originally posted by: JimiP
For an HTPC system, I would highly recommend the HD2600XT. But if you want an HTPC with a little more power to game, I would go with the 8600GTS.

What about the HD3850? doesn't it have all of the media center capabilities of the 2600XT?

The HD3850 would be a great choice. However, it's a little more expensive than the HD2600XT & 8600GTS.

For the price of the GTS, and if you're gaming, you might as well get a 3850.