HTPC video card recommendations - pref sub $100

[nefariouscaine]

Ok

helping a co-worker with a htpc build

here are the basic needs:
hdmi out
audio over hdmi - will only be stereo at the moment
single slot
good decoding performance at full 1080p over the usual codecs
ability to handle various non 3d bluray profiles
very good image quality

monitor will be a 50in LCD TV

keep in mind the $100 price point

have seen the issues with deinterlacing on 5570 and would like a smoother image quality

open to both camps at this time

cpu will likely be either a i5 sandy or 6 core amd - likely an asus p67 or 790x mobo *but* really only looking for HTPC video card suggestions at this time as I have a more limited understanding of this vs gaming pc's

 

[Termie]

Here you go - HD6570 for $80 shipped: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150543. It's got all the video features you need, it's single-slot, and it has a lifetime warranty. Good deal.

Video benchmarks show that it's as good as it gets: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6570-radeon-hd-6670-turks,2925-14.html

 

[Ken g6]

I notice those benchmarks on the 6570 were done with GDDR5; but all the cards on Newegg only have DDR3. I don't know how much that matters; but here's a $100 6670 with GDDR5.

 

[Termie]

I notice those benchmarks on the 6570 were done with GDDR5; but all the cards on Newegg only have DDR3. I don't know how much that matters; but here's a $100 6670 with GDDR5.

You are correct, but for HTPC purposes, memory speed won't matter, so the faster memory of the 6670 isn't necessary.

 

[mosox]

That one should do
http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-6450-review/4

 

[Termie]

That one should do
http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-6450-review/4

Not as good an option. It doesn't perform nearly as well on video playback benchmarks as the 6570.

6450 review: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6450-caicos-blu-ray-3d,2920-10.html

6570 review: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6570-radeon-hd-6670-turks,2925-14.html

Furthermore, it's horrible for games: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6450-caicos-blu-ray-3d,2920-5.html

...and way overpriced at ~$55: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...on%20HD%206450. If it were half the price of the 6570, it would make sense, but at its current price, it's not very compelling.

 

[Fox5]

Why such powerful cpus? A dual core would be good enough. Heat, power consumption, and noise are a bigger deal with HTPCs than you might initially think.

Also, AMD's E-350 processor will handle all the tasks you mentioned, and it's pretty cheap. Alternatively, llano coming out in a month or two will too.

Another note: Just about any laptop with a decent GPU and built in blu ray will accomplish the HTPC role well.

 

[Arkadrel]

Ok

helping a co-worker with a htpc build

here are the basic needs:
hdmi out
audio over hdmi - will only be stereo at the moment
single slot
good decoding performance at full 1080p over the usual codecs
ability to handle various non 3d bluray profiles
very good image quality

monitor will be a 50in LCD TV

keep in mind the $100 price point

have seen the issues with deinterlacing on 5570 and would like a smoother image quality

open to both camps at this time

cpu will likely be either a i5 sandy or 6 core amd - likely an asus p67 or 790x mobo *but* really only looking for HTPC video card suggestions at this time as I have a more limited understanding of this vs gaming pc's

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-290-_-Product

ECS HDC-I2(1.0) AMD E-350 APU (1.6GHz, Dual-Core) AMD Hudson D1 Mini ITX Motherboard
~ 99$ on newegg.

1) Yes it has HDMI out.
2) Yes it has audio over hdmi
3) Yes it has good performance at full 1080p with the usual codecs
4) Yes it has 3d Bluray
5) Yes it has very good image quality


The "Motherboard/CPU+IGP/Heatsink" cost around 99$ total on newegg.

Save yourself some cash, if all you need is a small silent pc that uses little to no power, and can act as a HTPC, then something like a E-350 is a good buy.



Case+PSU (39$ on newegg):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-255-_-Product

Now throw in a HDD + DVD drive + Ram = done, perfect little HTPC

If you go really cheap:
2gb DDR3 ram ~20$
dvd drive ~20$
120gb HDD ~20$

=

intire pc for under 200$

 

[Ichinisan]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-290-_-Product


ECS HDC-I2(1.0) AMD E-350 APU (1.6GHz, Dual-Core) AMD Hudson D1 Mini ITX Motherboard

1) Yes it has HDMI out.
2) Yes it has audio over hdmi
3) Yes it has good performance at full 1080p with the usual codecs
4) Yes it has 3d Bluray
5) Yes it has very good image quality


The "Motherboard/CPU+IGP/Heatsink" cost around 99$ total on newegg.

Save yourself some cash, if all you need is a small silent pc that uses little to no power, and can act as a HTPC, then something like a E-350 is a good buy.

Yup. I just built a Zacate system for myself.

 

[Termie]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-290-_-Product

ECS HDC-I2(1.0) AMD E-350 APU (1.6GHz, Dual-Core) AMD Hudson D1 Mini ITX Motherboard
~ 99$ on newegg.

1) Yes it has HDMI out.
2) Yes it has audio over hdmi
3) Yes it has good performance at full 1080p with the usual codecs
4) Yes it has 3d Bluray
5) Yes it has very good image quality


The "Motherboard/CPU+IGP/Heatsink" cost around 99$ total on newegg.

Save yourself some cash, if all you need is a small silent pc that uses little to no power, and can act as a HTPC, then something like a E-350 is a good buy.

....

Now throw in a HDD + DVD drive + Ram = done, perfect little HTPC

Probably costing around 250$ total or so.

Not a bad suggestion, except for one minor correction that probably won't matter to the OP:

"There is only a problem with 3D video. The Zacate’s graphics core cannot decode MVC, therefore it is impossible to play 3D video on Brazos-based nettops."

Source: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/amd-e-350_11.html

 

[Arkadrel]

@Termie

Darn it, your right its missing MVC...

Doesnt that just mean its not hardware accelerated off the GPU? when it comes to 3D blu-ray? Wont it be able to do it on the CPU? or will that be horrible frame rates with 3D blu-ray?

ability to handle various non 3d bluray profiles

Well it looks like he wasnt looking for 3D blu-ray playback.... so no harm done.
Still though, I thought those E-350's could do that.

I guess Llano will be able to?

 

[tweakboy]

Grab a 9800 GT ... gl,

 

[nefariouscaine]

Why such powerful cpus? A dual core would be good enough. Heat, power consumption, and noise are a bigger deal with HTPCs than you might initially think.

Also, AMD's E-350 processor will handle all the tasks you mentioned, and it's pretty cheap. Alternatively, llano coming out in a month or two will too.

Another note: Just about any laptop with a decent GPU and built in blu ray will accomplish the HTPC role well.

he's looking to build a new main pc and is looking for extra performance now to stave off upgrading sooner than later

I'll pitch the e350 to him as it could be a fairly viable option and save a bit of $$ overall and be a true htpc and not just a main rig serving as htpc roles

 

[Jimmah]

The E350 systems looks pretty sweet, In thery he could later toss in a video card that can handle MVC and still be under the total cost for an i7 and board.

 

[Lorne]

There really needs to be a clarification of what the difference between a HTPC and TV-game PC and sticky it up, Could also add NAS's into that.

The onboard NV 8200 worked great at 1080p on my HTPC and the AMD 250 just idle during a testing of 3 other machines pulling ISO's 2 through NIC Gbt and 1 WirelessG.

Tested a ATI 3450 and it played flawless at 1080p also.

 

[fuzzymath10]

The OP mentioned decoding non-bluray profiles. I think newer UVD cards are much better at this.

I would get corruption using my 3450 for lots of various clips which play flawlessly with a 4830 or 5750, and not because they're simply faster (no idea about nvidia). Also, you get apply shader effects in MPC-HC, and slower cards may be borderline for that; the high quality sharpening effects would not work with HD material without lagging.

 

[Zargon]

E350 or the new corei3 2100

Silent pc review says the same thing.


gpu wise, most newer cards should do it. I've read some knocks against the 6670 for loud fan noise which could be bothersome in a HTPC(but a non ref cooler could fix that)


this passive 5570 is a nice choice

apoppin just did a low end HTPC card review too

 

[you2]

How does the built in video for amd and intel compare (2500 vs amd equiv) ?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Would it be worth replacing a 780G-based system with a BE-2400 (2.3Ghz X2 dual-core) system, with a Zacate? I'm a little disappointed to learn that Zacate won't play back 3D Blu-Ray.

 

[VirtualLarry]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-290-_-Product

ECS HDC-I2(1.0) AMD E-350 APU (1.6GHz, Dual-Core) AMD Hudson D1 Mini ITX Motherboard
~ 99$ on newegg.

1) Yes it has HDMI out.
2) Yes it has audio over hdmi
3) Yes it has good performance at full 1080p with the usual codecs
4) Yes it has 3d Bluray
5) Yes it has very good image quality

Actually, no, it does not have HDMI output. Look at the pics at newegg. Also, no PCI-E slot, only one PCI.

I would definately step up to a better Zacate board than that ECS one. It's abysmal as far as features go.

 

[you2]

I wonder if a 2500 (using buillt-in video) can drive 2x 1080p.

 

[styrafoam]

Actually, no, it does not have HDMI output. Look at the pics at newegg. Also, no PCI-E slot, only one PCI.

I would definately step up to a better Zacate board than that ECS one. It's abysmal as far as features go.

The mobo in the pics here isn't the one linked. Its either an HDC-I or an HDC-I/E-240, which isn't on newegg for whatever reason but does have hdmi and a pci-e slot.