Recommendations for a HTPC video card.

[midwestfisherman]

I'm building a modest HTPC (think budget) I'd like to see what you all would recommend in the $100 - $125 range. Thanks

 

[fralexandr]

for $100-$125 you could get a 7750 or 7770, but why do you feel you need a $100 video card?
if you're going to game the 7770 is a pretty decent gaming/htpc card

will you be building a gaming/htpc or a dedicated htpc?
for a dedicated htpc it's usually recommended to either use integrated or get a fanless (quiet, low power) half height card (half height depends on your case, since many htpc cases are limited to half-height)
modern integrated is enough for most tasks, though a modern low end dedicated card might improve performance in some instances
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4263/amds-radeon-hd-6450-uvd3-meets-htpc
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5845/...ased-geforce-gt-610-gt-620-gt-630-into-retail

what other components are you using?

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

How will you be using the HTPC? Streaming videos over the local network with Blu-ray/DVD rips? CableCard and/or OTA tuner? Online streaming? What software do you plan on using - 7MC, XBMC, J. River, or another? What HTPC hardware will you be using, including the A/V and display devices?

The answers to those questions will have an impact on which card is right for you, or will determine if a dedicated card is even required.

 

[richaron]

As long as you're sure you need a dedicated card...

7770.

 

[pauldun170]

Pretty big budget for an HTPC vid card.

 

[soulcougher73]

Unless gaming just stick with integrated graphics.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

I have a sapphire 6850 and love it.

Newegg has them for ~$125 and with it I can game (BF3 on ultra) as well as having it output 7.1 and 1080p through its HDMI connection.... it also has eyefinity and crossfire support (future upgrade to two 6850s), it runs quiet and cool, and pair with my GA970a mobo I currently can do the following (not that you would need to):
I can play BF3 on a monitor (40" lcd via DVI) and a headset, while my fiance can watch movies through the HDMI on a projector with surround sound. Its a pretty slick setup.

 

[midwestfisherman]

This is my first foray into building an HTPC. It will be a dedicated HTPC box, so no gaming. I'm basically using surplus parts that I have left over from older builds and other projects. The MB that I'm using does have the on board video, but I was not sure if that would be enough to stream HD content.

I'll get the exact specks of what I am using when I get home tonight and post them.

 

[Durvelle27]

well if no gaming

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102933 HD 6450

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102942 HD 6570

 

[cl-scott]

If no gaming, I'd say anything that has the hardware based video decoding, which is virtually anything you can find these days save maybe integrated chipsets. I know for my HTPC I had an old passively cooled GeForce 210 that's been working a treat on what is a HTPC/disaster recovery system. It is a very old card, but it has plenty of power for decoding 1080p content, everything else is just kind of gravy since I'm also not looking to use it for any kind of gaming.

 

[blotto]

I downsized from my gaming/HTPC with CFx 5870s to a dedicated HTPC with a GTX460 (wanted nVidia for LAV filters with CUVID) to an HD6570 and found no appreciable difference between the three.
I wouldn't drop down to a 6450 or 430/530 as they may be underpowered for 1080p60 or hardware deinterlacing at 1080i60 but a 6570 or 540/640 will do everything a higher end card can do for half the price.

 

[bookwormsy]

I use the NVidia GT 430, which was $60 when I bought it, and for my budget HTPC, I use an AMD HD 5450 which was 10 bucks. They both work pretty well.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

This might work well
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-14102882-L06D

 

[Zorba]

This is my HTPC motherboard with a 785G chipset (Radeon HD 4200 video). I've always just used the integrated video no problem. It can play blue ray, HD TV, etc just fine, I even play flight simulator on it. The board is now 3 years old, so I would think anything modern would be just fine.

 

[Number1]

I use two RADEON 5450 WITH 500m ram in each and they handle any HD video easily. I would say any modern video card with an HDMI output would do fine. Sidekicknichola suggestion would work perfectly for you at an unbeatable price.