HD5450 doesn't work on my HTPC!!

[Magic Carpet]

I had a Zotac Geforce 520 working in a very old (P4) computer that had only PCI-E 1.0a support. I chose Zotac because the similar card from Gigabyte refused to post on that same board. Real-world experience

This should work as well.

 

[Zachboy]

Okay, anyways....from the shop I got the card from (if they let me do a "third" replacement - this time telling them that the PCIE 2.1 card doesn't work on my PCIE 1.0 board), it's between the GT 440 and the GT 520 from HD5450. From what I have gathered, the shop sell the GT440 at around $70 for the Gigabyte brand and $69 for the Asus one....and the GT520 on the other hand is for $[ranges from $35 to $42] and GT430 appears to be of this one: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4033#sp and sell for $60.

Here's the link: http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf to the items they sell - check it out.

Oh and I alomst forgot; I'm leaning more towards the 4 series than the 5, mainly because it has higher pixel fill rate...but the GT440 beats the GT520 in numbers overall....but cost a bit more too as well.

Thanks.

 

[Magic Carpet]

The Fifth Generation PureVideo HD

The fifth generation of PureVideo HD, introduced with the Geforce GT 520 and also included in the Nvidia GeForce 600(Kepler) series GPUs has significantly improved performance when decoding H.264, VC-1 and MPEG-2 codecs [8] (and, probably, other too). It is also capable of decoding 4K resolution videos at 3840 x 2160 pixels, (doubling the 1080p high-definition television standard in both the vertical and horizontal dimensions), also known as Quad Full High Definition (QFHD). Also MVC (Multiview Video Coding) H.264 decoding support for Blu-ray 3D and other Full HD 3D at 1080p.[9]

The fifth generation PureVideo HD is sometimes called "PureVideo HD 5" or VP5, although this is not an official Nvidia designation. This generation of PureVideo HD corresponds to Nvidia VDPAU Feature set D.

For HTPC uses, GT 520 is perfect. You can also play games on it, but of course, it's not as powerful as GT 430/440 but wins in power consumption, especially idle and light usage.

 

[Zachboy]

I had a Zotac Geforce 520 working in a very old (P4) computer that had only PCI-E 1.0a support. I chose Zotac because the similar card from Gigabyte refused to post on that same board. Real-world experience

This should work as well.

Maybe because the 520 hasn't moved up to PCIE 2.1? I am not sure why the Gigabyte branded 520 wouldn't work....heck - I'm not even sure what version my PCIE 1.x is! I know it's Gen 1, but which one??? the newer one - 1.1 or the older one 1.0?? Damn Intel....not being "specific" enough....

For HTPC uses, GT 520 is perfect. You can also play games on it, but of course, it's not as powerful as GT 430/440 but wins in power consumption, especially idle and light usage.

Hm, yes but from researching...I heard that the GT520 failed to "de-interlace" videos or something similar, that the GT430/440 can do perfectly fine with....is this a big issue?

 

[Termie]

I'd get the 430/440. The 520 is essentially worthless for any gaming, and really shouldn't sell for more than $20. I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't have enough power for full HD decoding, something the 5450 actually also suffered from.

 

[Zachboy]

I'd get the 430/440. The 520 is essentially worthless for any gaming, and really shouldn't sell for more than $20. I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't have enough power for full HD decoding, something the 5450 actually also suffered from.

So GT430 or GT440?

Really now? - the GT520 and HD5450 can't play Blu-ray quality movies "smoothly"?


PS - I don't plan to game with the HTPC, only pure watching movies on it or organizing things around the HDD or even recording TV shows/programs/movies/series - once I get my TV tuner of course ....but it would seem that my *only* dedicated movie drive went out of service.....

 

[Termie]

So GT430 or GT440?

Really now? - the GT520 and HD5450 can't play Blu-ray quality movies "smoothly"?


PS - I don't plan to game with the HTPC, only pure watching movies on it or organizing things around the HDD or even recording TV shows/programs/movies/series - once I get my TV tuner of course ....but it would seem that my *only* dedicated movie drive went out of service.....

Either the 430 or 440 is fine - the 440 is more of a legitimate gaming card, but you don't need that ability, so just go with the 430.

Here's an analysis of the HD5450's weaknesses when it comes to video: http://www.anandtech.com/show/3601/the-final-word-on-the-best-radeon-htpc-card

Here's a review of the 430: http://www.anandtech.com/show/3973/nvidias-geforce-gt-430/4

Not entirely glowing either, but the point here is that it will get the job done and will be compatible with your system. I think that's your priority at this point.

 

[Magic Carpet]

I'd get the 430/440. The 520 is essentially worthless for any gaming, and really shouldn't sell for more than $20.

Performance per dollar isn't great, but there are other things to note as well, like its simplicity, compatibility and low power use. I certainly enjoy using it in my rig. Plays Crysis 2 just nicely @ 1366x768 on High.

I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't have enough power for full HD decoding, something the 5450 actually also suffered from.

I've had no issues, whatsoever.

Really now? - the GT520 and HD5450 can't play Blu-ray quality movies "smoothly"?

GT520 has no issues playing back video formats in Blu-ray quality, whilst consuming very little power.

PS - I don't plan to game with the HTPC, only pure watching movies on it or organizing things around the HDD or even recording TV shows/programs/movies/series - once I get my TV tuner of course ....but it would seem that my *only* dedicated movie drive went out of service.....

GT520 in a passive form fits the bill. You won't regret it.

 

[Zachboy]

Performance per dollar isn't great, but there are other things to note as well, like its simplicity, compatibility and low power use. I certainly enjoy using it in my rig. Plays Crysis 2 just nicely @ 1366x768 on High.

Wow....and probably getting less than 30fps...

I've had no issues, whatsoever.

Well, isn't that a plus?

GT520 has no issues playing back video formats in Blu-ray quality, whilst consuming very little power.




GT520 in a passive form fits the bill. You won't regret it.

Eh, 8 watts is pretty good - I have a 400 Watt "Generic"(I think - brand and model is: Macron MPT-400) PSU...I don't even think my entire system will break the 150 Watt usage mark... So it would appear I got an extra 250 Watts to spare.

Either the 430 or 440 is fine - the 440 is more of a legitimate gaming card, but you don't need that ability, so just go with the 430.

Hm, that will be $28 more to pay, after I return the HD5450....

Here's an analysis of the HD5450's weaknesses when it comes to video: http://www.anandtech.com/show/3601/the-final-word-on-the-best-radeon-htpc-card

Here's a review of the 430: http://www.anandtech.com/show/3973/nvidias-geforce-gt-430/4

Interesting....But all this would still matter if I play movies in Cyberlink PowerDVD 8 (either Blu-ray/HD DVD) or Media Player Classic Homecinema [version 1.6.3.5140](For some of my custom made movie files I got and created) after installing K-Lite Mega Codec Pack 8.9.5? I can just,or maybe not, understand what the articles are trying to say... :\ I'm not a HTPC enthusiast, but I do want the best image quality and smooth playback...

 

[IGemini]

By AT's review, the 520 wasn't a great card for HTPC.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4380/discrete-htpc-gpus-shootout/1

I agree to go for a 430 and skip over the 520 altogether. Power consumption and gaming are moot points for this discussion. My suggestion is go for refurbished or open box. My GT 220 is a refurb that I got for $30, and my last two performance cards (5770 and 6870) were open box. All have served me well. I know the egg has some Zotac GT 430 cards in stock as I'm posting this.

 

[Termie]

By AT's review, the 520 wasn't a great card for HTPC.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4380/discrete-htpc-gpus-shootout/1

I agree to go for a 430 and skip over the 520 altogether. Power consumption and gaming are moot points for this discussion. My suggestion is go for refurbished or open box. My GT 220 is a refurb that I got for $30, and my last two performance cards (5770 and 6870) were open box. All have served me well. I know the egg has some Zotac GT 430 cards in stock as I'm posting this.

Nice find. That article pretty much makes the decision easy for the OP.

 

[Magic Carpet]

From the same article, here is a snippet:

The results are presented in a bar chart above (A line chart would have made much more sense, but the outer values get placed only for bar charts in our graphing engine). For 1080p24 streams, we find that the GT 430 is unable to keep up with the real time decode frame rate requirements at 110 Mbps. For 1080p60 streams, the limit gets further reduced to somewhere between 65 and 70 Mbps. The GT 520 has no such issues.

The above testing is only of academic interest, since there is no real 1080p24 content at 110 Mbps. Even 3D Blu-rays max out around 60 Mbps (and that includes the audio stream!), so users shouldn't really be concerned about this bitrate limitation of the GT 430.

The GT 520's scores above are more interesting. Even the high end GPUs such as the 460 and 560 are unable to achieve that frame rate. The answer was buried in the README for the latest Linux drivers. The GT 520 is the first (and only GPU as of now) to support the VDPAU Feature Set D.

Looks like the GT520 is, the obvious choice; even though, the reviewer did not have "full confidence" to recommend it.

I am still going to use it, as the GT430 is an old, bulky, hot... piece of machinery. Yes, it performs better in games and in some shader intensive situations but hell, you might as well get a 640 then, which also supports Feature Set D.

 

[Termie]

From the same article, here is a snippet:





GT520 is the obvious choice.

That all depends what you choose to read, of course.

Coming to the business end of the review, it must be quite clear by now that we can't recommend the GT 520 or the AMD 6450 with full confidence. They are probably doing well in the OEM market by getting incorporated into generic systems (not geared towards HTPC use). A discerning buyer building a HTPC system, having perused the various sections in this piece, would do well to avoid these two products.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4380/discrete-htpc-gpus-shootout/16

 

[Aikouka]

Do the older nVidia cards bitstream lossless audio? For some reason, I can't help but recall something about them not being capable, which is one of the reasons why I went with a 5450 back then. I can't remember for sure though.

 

[Magic Carpet]

That all depends what you choose to read, of course.



http://www.anandtech.com/show/4380/discrete-htpc-gpus-shootout/16

Personal experience > reviews.

 

[IGemini]

Do the older nVidia cards bitstream lossless audio? For some reason, I can't help but recall something about them not being capable, which is one of the reasons why I went with a 5450 back then. I can't remember for sure though.

Complete bitstreaming for both H.264 and VC1 should be handled with anything ION and GeForce 200 and up. Newer 8400GS cards should also be capable but it's a royally painful guessing game.

 

[Aikouka]

Complete bitstreaming for both H.264 and VC1 should be handled with anything ION and GeForce 200 and up. Newer 8400GS cards should also be capable but it's a royally painful guessing game.

Both of those are video codecs. What I'm wondering is if they'll output the DTS-HD Master or Dolby TrueHD over HDMI for my receiver to work with. The OP talked about Blu-Ray/HD-DVD, so I assume he'd want lossless audio.

 

[IGemini]

Both of those are video codecs. What I'm wondering is if they'll output the DTS-HD Master or Dolby TrueHD over HDMI for my receiver to work with. The OP talked about Blu-Ray/HD-DVD, so I assume he'd want lossless audio.

Crap, I can't read today.

The answer is largely the same, though. nVidia has an annoying lack of transparency about it. I think GeForce 200 is only able to bitstream lossless audio in Linux. 400 up should all be capable in any OS.

 

[Zachboy]

Interesting replies I have....

Hm, yeah from AT's review of it, I guess I'll return my HD5450 for a nice Gigabyte branded GT430 with a whopping 2GB of VRAM from MSY for $60 - if they've not sold out yet...I'm guessing from the official Gigabyte website, it's this one here: http://www.gigabyte.com.au/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4033#sp. :)

...unless someone wants to "object" before tomorrow....

The 8400GS card I got doesn't have a HDMI port....so no...it obviously doesn't do any audio output...

Also, even for a Blu-ray movie, the audio isn't lossless as some would think it to be; it's still lossy. Same with video - not lossless but lossy. Despite either being lossy, I have to admit the producers have done a great job on the video and audio quality!:thumbsup:

 

[lopri]

Did you understand at least half of the technicality in the review? (I don't)

If not, I would suggest you focus on page 3~7 of the review. Look at the screenshots and decide which ones you like better. There is no right/wrong answer, the author calls many of them "subjective"

But yes 5450 isn't adequate for a pleasant movie vieweing experience.

 

[Zachboy]

Did you understand at least half of the technicality in the review? (I don't)

If not, I would suggest you focus on page 3~7 of the review. Look at the screenshots and decide which ones you like better. There is no right/wrong answer, the author calls many of them "subjective"

But yes 5450 isn't adequate for a pleasant movie viewing experience.

I read both reviews two times or three times(parts of it) over, ....all of it as well! It took time, but hammered through into my head(eventually).

The first time was before any posters posted any of the stuff on the GT430 vs. GT520 stuff (because I had already done some research of my own....) and then they repeated what I've already read...so now I've read it about two times overall....the second time was to make sure I understood what was presented in the reviews....I get some of what it's trying to say, not all though.

Most of the "technicality" is the manual override settings to do with image enhancements, post precessing stuff, motion improvements overall on movies and such. I'll have to read it a third or maybe a fourth time in all those articles to know some more....

 

[Zachboy]

Nuuuuuuuuu.....they sold out!!!

All the GT430s and GT440s!! Nuuuuuu........I'm left with the GT520......how would the GTS450 fit?:sneaky:


...and they're not going to restock either....


....maybe not the GTS450 as I realise it requires an externel 6-pin power connector which my PSU doesn't supply.....unless I buy molex to 6-pin power connector....



...or should I look into some GT610, GT620, GT630 and GT640s?

...interesting....http://www.anandtech.com/show/5845/...ased-geforce-gt-610-gt-620-gt-630-into-retail

 

[Zachboy]

I guess the GT630 will do. Thankyou for all who've helped me at this issue!:thumbsup:

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