For a Pimarily HTPC with some Gaming

[chrisralston]

One of the things I would like to accomplish is transfering VHS to DVD. However, I have done a lot more research on the NVIDIA 6xxx chipsets and about zilch on the x600xt. I know that the 6600 (vanilla) will do what I want (good solid VGA with OK to decent gaming), but I don't know about the x600xt cards.

I am thinking in the short run that VIVO is the way to go, but I also have plans in the next year or so to get a good TV tuner card (Teatre 550 Pro chipset) and MCE05. Any suggestions or input? Should I hold off on the VIVO and wait for the TV Tuner/MCE05 upgrade, or is a VIVO solutoin worth it?

Also, any benifit to an all NVIDIA rig (mobo, VGA, TV tuner) or an all ATI graphic solution (VGA and TV Tuner)?

And finally, I am thinking all MSI for these parts (mobo, VGA, TV Tuner), any realized benifit to sticking with the same company?

Thanks,
C

 

[CheesePoofs]

Get the 6600 over the x600xt; the x700's were designed to compete with the 6600's, and the 6600's pretty much win in every benchmark.
There is no tangible benifit to going all nvidia or all msi. Just get whatever is cheapest from a company you can trust.

 

[chrisralston]

thanks cheese. I appreciate straight cheese when I here it.

 

[chrisralston]

Almost forgot, what about VIVO now, or waiting until I do the TV Tuner/MCE05 thing? Are the VHS to digital results better with VIVO or TV TUner (Theatre 550 Pro most likely)?

 

[rise]

x700's destroy 6600' vanillas.

having said that, id get the 6600gt for 160 or so. i'm not sure if you're getting agp or pci-e but the agps are around that price.

if not, get the x700

 

[imported_OrSin]

6600 GT are much then the X700 (same as 9800), but the vanilla 6600 are not that good. Thye are on par with the 9600xt (same as x600). I like vivo but its really not needed if you going to get MCE. You need a real TV tuner for that, so vivo is not that big a deal. Not sure if all ATI AIW work with MCE, but if they do you might consider those as well. Personal I would for go the 6600gt if i had the cash and not worry about vivo. IF you cash short then look at the x600 (AIW or not prices are close).

 

[rise]

why wouldn't you get the x700 over the x600?

 

[mrc777]

6600gt>x700>6600>x600xt