GPU for an overclocked E8400 with good HDMI support

[dkm777]

Hi guys,

I rebuilt one of my old rigs into an HTPC. The only thing that's missing is a good graphics card and it's good to go. Ir is a 3.6GHz E8400 with a 500W power supply. I'll want to play some games on it as well, but only ones that are good with a gamepad so MMOs and FPSes are out. Now I'm torn between an Asus DirectCU HD7770 and a reference PowerColor HD6870. They cost about the same, but the PowerColors, being older models are on sale and running out so I have to act fast.
Now, is there any benefit of running an newer card in terms of HDMI support? I only know that HDMI comes in many versions and my TV supports 3D (not that an E8400 would be able to play that or am I wrong?) so the HD7770 should be better in this regard?

 

[Tweak155]

I have an E7300 with a 6870. Plays SWTOR max settings, Diablo 3, etc. I think you're good with an 8400 and 6870.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

As for HDMI-support HD68xx/69xx supports HDMI 1.4a, so you should be good to go there.

(6700 does NOT, as its essentially a 5700 re-brand)

The 6870, while faster, will dump a lot (150W TDP vs HD7770's 55W) more waste heat in your case. This is not a problem if you're set up for it, but it needs to be minded...

 

[dkm777]

I'll get the 6870 then. The cooling won't be a problem since there's an intake fan blowing almost directly into the card and the card itself has a rear exhausting cooler.

 

[dkm777]

After one guy in a local forum pointed out that PowerColor has shorter warranty I went with the Asus HD7770 DirectCU. Let me tell you - this card is amazing. Even under gaming loads it barely lets itself be known and it plays Super Street Fighter IV (the most demanding game on this machine so far) maxed out like a champ. Best cheap card that I ever bought.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

After one guy in a local forum pointed out that PowerColor has shorter warranty I went with the Asus HD7770 DirectCU. Let me tell you - this card is amazing. Even under gaming loads it barely lets itself be known and it plays Super Street Fighter IV (the most demanding game on this machine so far) maxed out like a champ. Best cheap card that I ever bought.

The ASUS DirectCU cooler is quite impressive. I have the HD7870 DirectCU...

 

[Eureka]

I would try and get a used 69x0 off the forums.. A lot of power for a little bit more than the 7770 goes for new. If you are getting new, I'm pretty sure the 68x0s are faster than the 7770s.

 

[SPBHM]

what a bout a 650 Ti?

 

[dkm777]

To the two posters above - the deal is done, I bought an HD7770.
Now for a problem that I ran into - I can't enable Vsync when using HDMI and running 1920x1080. I'm going to buy a new cable today, since I don't know whether the one I'm using now is the right revision. But somehow I feel this won't fix the problem. What is strange is when I set the resolution to 1680x1050 Vsync works.