Underpowering a graphics card

[yours truly]

Hi guys, my old Dell 8100 is still going strong after many years, but I'd like to connect it up to my new TV and in Hi Def too. The trouble is I don't think my X800XT AGP would output to 1920x1080 to my TV

I've seen a graphics cards that would ideal, a Club 3D HD3650 but it recommends a power supply of 350W and greater, but my power supply is rated at 330W and 18a on the 12v rail

I don't game on my PC any more, just surf the internet and listen to music, so would I be OK to use this card?

Many thanks

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Your X850XT should output just fine.

 

[yours truly]

Hi, thanks for the quick response. Im looking at the Sapphire website and it say this for my graphics card:

Integrated TV Output support up to 1024x768 resolution

Wont it output to just 1024x768?

I've tried using DVI to VGA from my PC to TV and it looks blurry - I really want 1080p!

 

[fffblackmage]

You should be easily able to do 1080p if you use VGA/D-sub or HDMI connection, assuming you TV can use either of those. S-Video or TV component probably won't do 1080p, however.

I currently have an HTPC connected to an 720p LCD TV via VGA/D-sub. (sucks that integrated gfx can't do 1366x768 though)

 

[yours truly]

hi blackmage, my TV is a pioneer KRP600A, not sure what it can do, but I know its 1080p

so i definitely dont need a new graphics card then? thats good 🙂

If I buy a VGA/D-sub adaptor or a DVI to HDMI cable Im good to go?

thank you

 

[BenSkywalker]

While underpowering your vid card may not be dangerous, using a Kuros as a monitor certainly is 😉

If I buy a VGA/D-sub adaptor or a DVI to HDMI cable Im good to go?

If you must do it, go DVI to HDMI, significantly better IQ that way, and your TV good enough where it will be very obvious. I'd be careful using it as a monitor in general, while some people overblow the IR issue- it is still certainly possible and the best way to do it is to use your incredibly nice new plasma as a PC monitor.

 

[fffblackmage]

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
While underpowering your vid card may not be dangerous, using a Kuros as a monitor certainly is 😉

If I buy a VGA/D-sub adaptor or a DVI to HDMI cable Im good to go?

If you must do it, go DVI to HDMI, significantly better IQ that way, and your TV good enough where it will be very obvious.

Agreed.

VGA/D-sub is analog (VGA and D-sub actually refer to the same thing), which explains why there was blurriness when you tried DVI to VGA. DVI to HDMI is digital, so you should be able to get 1080p without the blurriness.

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: fffblackmage
You should be easily able to do 1080p if you use VGA/D-sub or HDMI connection, assuming you TV can use either of those. S-Video or TV component probably won't do 1080p, however.

I currently have an HTPC connected to an 720p LCD TV via VGA/D-sub. (sucks that integrated gfx can't do 1366x768 though)

COMPOSIT Will not do HD... component WILL
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Component_video

Component = HD without HDCP... meaning MUCH faster chanel changing, and less HDCP bugs and issues

for example, with my old projector and video card i had to turn off the projector, then turn off the PC, then turn on the pc, then turn on the projector again... every damn fucking time! because it wouldn't get the HDCP handshake otherwise... this was to display the goddamn DESKTOP! (8800GTS + sanyo Z2). Component solved those.

For my parents? I just could not get their sony grand wega to work right (crap resolution, no HD) until I resorted to component.

The gravest insult is that you pay 5$ PER DEVICE (TV, video card, etc) in HDCP royalties to intel.

 

[yours truly]

Thanks for the advice, Im not too worried about IR because I heard the Kuro's are very good in that department, and plus its only going to be used as a monitor for light use, no more than an hour a day

so DVI to Component would be better than DVI to HDMI?

Thanks for your help and have a great weekend!

 

[fffblackmage]

Originally posted by: taltamir

Originally posted by: fffblackmage
You should be easily able to do 1080p if you use VGA/D-sub or HDMI connection, assuming you TV can use either of those. S-Video or TV component probably won't do 1080p, however.

I currently have an HTPC connected to an 720p LCD TV via VGA/D-sub. (sucks that integrated gfx can't do 1366x768 though)

COMPOSIT Will not do HD... component WILL
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Component_video

You are correct, I mixed the two up.

Originally posted by: hopeless74
so DVI to Component would be better than DVI to HDMI?

Component still uses analog signals. So DVI to HDMI will still probably give you better picture clarity.
Unfortunately, I'm not too familiar with HDCP, so I can't really say much about that.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Use HDMI-DVI adaptor.