[HELP]Connecting old pc to new TV[HELP!]

[vegal]

Hi all!
I have a Sony Bravia 40" TV and would like to connect my Intel Inspiron 530 desktop with the TV. It has 140HDD and 1GB ram.

The problem is that the PC does not have a HDMI output. I have a HDMI cable and would like to use it.

I did some research and it turns out I can get a low end graphic card
OR
I can get a HDMI to VGA converter
A long with a adapter

I am on a very very tight budget so please tell me what I should do. I want to watch HD 1080p videos on the TV and play them through the computer.
I heard that you cant get proper audio using the cable
Please advise a cheap yet affective method.

 

[paperwastage]

those converter boxes aren't the best

I'd rather go with a low end graphics if it fits

if your 530 has a DVI-out, you can simply use a DVI->HDMI passive adapter/converter (your TV won't get sound though HDMI though)

 

[vegal]

Thanks for the reply. It does not have a DVI-out. It only has 1 VGA that has the monitor connected to it.

I want to get sound through.

Hypothetically speaking, if I get that low end graphic card how do I know if it will fit?
I am on a very very tight budget so I dont want to waste a single penny.

 

[mfenn]

I agree with paperwastage, converter boxes are only to be used when you have no other choice. VGA doesn't look that good at higher resolutions anyway. The 5450 that you linked in the OP will work just fine.

 

[paperwastage]

Thanks for the reply. It does not have a DVI-out. It only has 1 VGA that has the monitor connected to it.

I want to get sound through.

Hypothetically speaking, if I get that low end graphic card how do I know if it will fit?
I am on a very very tight budget so I dont want to waste a single penny.

Your case needs to have a spare unused PCIe x16 bay available, and space for the card to fit in the case.

that's basically it. the card you linked to is a low end "HTPC"-oriented... low powered, low-profile, low fan noise


http://www.instantgoodness.com/images/uploaded/pages/272/AGP_PCI_PCIE_PCIEx1_Bus.jpg

 

[vegal]

Your case needs to have a spare unused PCIe x16 bay available, and space for the card to fit in the case.

that's basically it. the card you linked to is a low end "HTPC"-oriented... low powered, low-profile, low fan noise


http://www.instantgoodness.com/images/uploaded/pages/272/AGP_PCI_PCIE_PCIEx1_Bus.jpg

Thanks alot for the replies guys :awe:
I got a few questions

• Will the card be perfect for playing 1080p HD videos and will it have audio comming from the TV?

• Will 1GB and a processor of 2.2Ghz Dual core be enough to power the HDMI and play HD videos over HDMI? (currently it wont but after I reformat HDD it will be fast like before i guess)

• How can I find out if I have a PCIe x16 port or not?

 

[Paperdoc]

I agree with others the modest new graphics card is a much better solution than adapters, etc. Besides, that card is actually cheaper than the adapter! And the converter cable you linked to is the wrong direction - it converts an existing HDMI output to a VGA output to connect to a VGA monitor.

The card you linked to has two requirements to check on your machine: you need an open PCIe x16 slot for the card, and you should have at least a 400W PSU. The Sapphire website also has a list of "approved PSU's" if that interests you, and some hints about case cooling capacity. The card also has a feature you may or may not need. It is a low-profile size but with a full-height plate for the back connectors. As an option IF you are using a low-profile case, it also comes with two adapter plates. You remove the larger one installed, install the smaller one with two holes to hold the HDMI and DVI connectors, and then put the VGA connector into a second plate that occupies a second back slot opening. We have one like this in a low-profile case and converted it, but did not bother to mount the VGA output connector since we are not using it.

All HDMI outputs have sound on them, too. Usually that is done by including a sound chip in the video card. This means that, in order to use that feature after the card is installed, you have to go into Windows and select that sound source on the new vid card as your default audio output device, so don't forget to do that.

 

[mfenn]

The card you linked to has two requirements to check on your machine: you need an open PCIe x16 slot for the card, and you should have at least a 400W PSU.

The Inspiron 530 does have a x16 slot and a 5450 does not require anything like a 400W PSU. Sapphire is just covering their ass by putting that in there.

OP, yes the 5450 would be fine and it has an onboard sound chip to send audio out via the HDMI port.

 

[paperwastage]

Thanks alot for the replies guys :awe:
I got a few questions

• Will the card be perfect for playing 1080p HD videos and will it have audio comming from the TV?

• Will 1GB and a processor of 2.2Ghz Dual core be enough to power the HDMI and play HD videos over HDMI? (currently it wont but after I reformat HDD it will be fast like before i guess)

• How can I find out if I have a PCIe x16 port or not?

card will be enough to play 1080p. a dual core 2.2ghz (Pentium E2160 ish) should be enough...

open your case, look at the motherboard and see if you have an unused x16 port. the x16 port can be found in the pic below. Make sure it is not a PCI slot
http://www.instantgoodness.com/images/uploaded/pages/272/AGP_PCI_PCIE_PCIEx1_Bus.jpg

The card you linked to has two requirements to check on your machine: you need an open PCIe x16 slot for the card, and you should have at least a 400W PSU. The Sapphire website also has a list of "approved PSU's" if that interests you, and some hints about case cooling capacity. The card also has a feature you may or may not need. It is a low-profile size but with a full-height plate for the back connectors. As an option IF you are using a low-profile case, it also comes with two adapter plates. You remove the larger one installed, install the smaller one with two holes to hold the HDMI and DVI connectors, and then put the VGA connector into a second plate that occupies a second back slot opening. We have one like this in a low-profile case and converted it, but did not bother to mount the VGA output connector since we are not using it.

the Dell probably has a weak 300W PSU, but since the 5450 doesnt need a PCIe power plug and uses low power, it should be fine

 

[vegal]

Make sure it is not a PCI slot

Your case needs to have a spare unused PCIe x16 bay available, and space for the card to fit in the case.

So basically I need to make sure that I have a spare unused PCIe x16 bay and not a PCI slot.? I will open my case now and take a picture.

 

[paperwastage]

So basically I need to make sure that I have a spare unused PCIe x16 bay and not a PCI slot.? I will open my case now and take a picture.

yes, because Dell might have put something in the x16 slot (and people mistake PCI and PCIe x16 slots)

and measure the freespace along the x16 slot... the 5450 isn't a long card, but Dell's system might have the HDD Drive bays really close to the x16 slot

 

[vegal]

yes, because Dell might have put something in the x16 slot (and people mistake PCI and PCIe x16 slots)

and measure the freespace along the x16 slot... the 5450 isn't a long card, but Dell's system might have the HDD Drive bays really close to the x16 slot

DAM! I just closed the case. My power supply is below.

Spoiler

Can you tell me which one is this? I think it might be a PCI which you said was bad :$

Spoiler

 

[VirtualLarry]

The long black slot is a PCI-E x16 slot. You can use a 5450, it should fit fine.

The shorter black slot is a PCI-E x1 slot.

The white slots at the bottom, are regular PCI slots.

You're good.

 

[vegal]

And can I get the 512MB version of that card? Will it be sufficient enough? ANd how do I know if it requires a PCI-E x16 slot? IS that slot universal for all GPUs?

 

[paperwastage]

you can get the 512mb... 1GB ram for a HTPC GPU is overkill

as long as the card specs say "PCIE", it will be good

(some older GPUs are available for AGP or PCI)