How big of a video card do I really need for an HTPC?

[ingeborgdot]

I am looking at a 7600gt. Is that bigger than I need or not enough?

 

[Chapbass]

I loved my 8500 when i had my htpc. gogo hd dvd offloading!

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: ingeborgdot
I am looking at a 7600gt. Is that bigger than I need or not enough?

Feh, that's less than seven inches which is decidely unmanly.

Seriousry though, it only has a first generation HD decoder so an 8000 would be better and arguably a 2000 best. However, better 3D performance can be had with some of the 8000. The forthcoming 3850 is 'nutha option which may combine the best of both (or may be o'erkill).

 

[The Boston Dangler]

is hardware HD acceleration your concern? i get by without it.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

The 7600gt should work fine for HD movies. If you plan on gaming though and your TV is 1080p then that card won't cut it. It might be OK for a 720p TV but even then would be laboring hard with some of the newer games.

The 8800gt is currently the card of choice for an HTPC. It can run games at high resolutions and has the video processing engine from the 8600/8500 series as well.

 

[radioouman]

I run a 7600GS in my HTPC, and it does fine. My desktop machine has an 8600GTS and it would be ideal for an HTPC because it is passively cooled.

 

[cmdrdredd]

If your CPU is a pretty fast C2D or something then it can handle HD decoding and you don't necessarily need to have a UVD. If you're looking at a cheaper low end CPU then you should look for something with a UVD like was mentioned above. For gaming, that's been covered in previous posts.

 

[Auric]

Software decoding even with a decent C2D leaves little room for multi-tasking though and does consume muy power. So it all depends upon useage. The software on CPU method can be more flexible but with the GPU both options are available.

 

[krotchy]

I opted for a Radeon 2600XT for mine. I got it for 95 bucks and it does everything I need it to for video display/decoding/watching. Also I can even play supreme commander at 1080p on it pretty well (no AA). Still its mostly for video playback and it does great, and has audio via HDMI which is nice.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Auric
Software decoding even with a decent C2D leaves little room for multi-tasking though and does consume muy power. So it all depends upon useage. The software on CPU method can be more flexible but with the GPU both options are available.

Usually when you're watching HD video you won't be doing much else becides watching. At least for me.

 

[Auric]

The computar can be doing other intensive tasks sans intervention though or given two displays, some hu-mans can enjoy the video while others use the computer for other schtuff simultaneously.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Auric
The computar can be doing other intensive tasks sans intervention though or given two displays, some hu-mans can enjoy the video while others use the computer for other schtuff simultaneously.

Not in my house

 

[SpeedEng66]

my pos was just able to push 720 (in sig)
but all I needed was Sd

 

[Fallen Kell]

Well, you want a video card that can do native resolution to your TV. And if you plan on Blu-Ray/HD-DVD or HD recording, you want something that will offload the CPU for the decoding.... I personally just ordered a 8800GT for my HTPC. That said, I connect to a 1080p 120Hz display, and need something in this range to get the most out of the setup.

 

[montypythizzle]

One of at least 24 inches.

Really though, get an 8600GT or higher 8 series card.

 

[montypythizzle]

Is 24" bulk?

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
Well, you want a video card that can do native resolution to your TV. And if you plan on Blu-Ray/HD-DVD or HD recording, you want something that will offload the CPU for the decoding.... I personally just ordered a 8800GT for my HTPC. That said, I connect to a 1080p 120Hz display, and need something in this range to get the most out of the setup.

Depends on your CPU. If you are running a 3Ghz C2D you don't need a UVD in your PC to output 1080p HD content. It just needs to be HDCP compliant.