Video Card for a HTPC

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Chosonman

Golden Member
Jan 24, 2005
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I'm building an HTPC from scrap parts.
The current motherboard has intgrated Video, but I'm wondering if it's worth it to upgrade the video to play DVD movies, and NON-FPS games. I currently have a gamming rig and the HTPC will be use for some Sports games, puzzles, and for DVD movies and stereo.

So my question is, is it worth upgrading the inegrated 3D Video? If so what is a good budget (under $100) video card I could use with this system?

 
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Goi

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
6,771
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supposedly the 6800 series are the best for HTPC currently, followed by the 6600 series. Apparently ATI's offerings aren't as good.
 
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imported_OrSin

Senior member
Jul 15, 2004
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Why is 6800 good HTPC? The 6800 has some HD features disabled that the 6600 doesn't. He is just talking aout the side of his head. Just use the onboard video until you think its not working for you. You don't need a powerful card in most cases. The biggest thing you have to worry about is if your CPU can do the processing, and it it can't then get a video card that can help with Hardware accelations. Most low end cards will do.
ATI 9600 and better and NV 6600 and better are more then you will need. But just try the on board video first, expectly if you running Media Center.
 
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Chosonman

Golden Member
Jan 24, 2005
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Originally posted by: OrSin
Why is 6800 good HTPC? The 6800 has some HD features disabled that the 6600 doesn't. He is just talking aout the side of his head. Just use the onboard video until you think its not working for you. You don't need a powerful card in most cases. The biggest thing you have to worry about is if your CPU can do the processing, and it it can't then get a video card that can help with Hardware accelations. Most low end cards will do.
ATI 9600 and better and NV 6600 and better are more then you will need. But just try the on board video first, expectly if you running Media Center.
Click to expand...


Yea, I'm not trying to spend $200 on another 6800.
I think for my needs the onboard Video should do well. My only concen is if I decide to turn my HTPC into a simple gamming console (ie playstation2). I might get a $50.00 card but I'm not sure if it'll make much of an improvement over the intgrated video.
 
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Goi

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
6,771
7
91
If you're not concerned with HTPC performance, then sure, any video card, including onboard video would do. Just make sure it has the appropriate connections that you will use. VGA/DVI is preferred.
 
Gamingphreek

Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
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Onboard will do just fine. Nothing higher is really needed. I would have a hard time recommending anything above 9600XT/5700; 6600;X300. As long as it does hardware overlays, and hardware MPEG-2 decoding you will be fine.

-Kevin
 
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JokerRulez

Member
May 9, 2005
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I'm attempting a similar project right now. HTPC is, I believe, the wave of the future and I'm quite excited about finishing it.

The points I looked for in the video for my HTPC were:
1. S-Video out to connect it to my Yamaha receiver (does your integrated video cover this?)
2. MPEG-2 encoding to give hardware support for recording video
3. Average-AboveAverage 3D graphics for things such as Madden, etc.
4. (optional) MPEG-2 decoding to take pressure off the CPU during video playback.

To that end I purchased the following:
1. Hauppauge 350 PVR TV card
2. A second video card to replace my Radeon 9800 128mb card. I'll use the
radeon with my HTPC.

Unfortunately the GeForce 6800 GT I bought is still not
working with my system so I haven't been able to finish my project.
More about that
here
if anyone is interested.

So, in my opinion, as long as you have TV out covered your only concern for
your video options is how new are the games you want to play on your
HTPC? If you are not going to push the edge then get an adequate 64Mb card
and you should be good to go. I agree with the fellow who said $30 if you
don't play many games.

Joker
 
Gamingphreek

Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
11,679
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81
[/quote]S-Video out to connect it to my TV (does your integrated video cover this?) [/quote]

No the happauge card does though ;)

MPEG-2 encoding to give hardware support for recording video
Click to expand...
Once again the Happauge Card

Decoding is done by the Video card though as well as hardware overlays. There is really only one reason to get the 350 over the 150, IIRC the 350 has dual TV Tuners while the 150 has a single tuner.

If you are building a strictly HTPC then a good 3d Card is unnecessary. However if you are going to mix some gaming in there then a better card might be something to look into. However the Integrated Geforce 4 MX should be adequate for madden or something.

-Kevin
 
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JokerRulez

Member
May 9, 2005
48
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0
Originally posted by: Chosonman
Do you know how to attach my HDTV cable box to my computer?
Click to expand...

If you are asking me the answer is no. I do not know how to connect a computer with HDTV. I have read there are some issues but am not concerned about that yet as I do not have HDTV. Don't watch much TV programming at all really. Movies on the other hand, that is another beast altogether.


Joker
 
Gamingphreek

Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
11,679
0
81
You need to have an HDTV card such as ATI's HDTV Wonder. I do not believe any of the Happauge Cards support High Definition.

-Kevin
 
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JokerRulez

Member
May 9, 2005
48
0
0
Gamingphreek. I was not referring to my rig. I was asking the initial poster if his/her video covers this.

You are correct. The 350 does everything I want of it. As for the rest of your post you are dead on correct. 3D cards are for games folks. If you don't game, don't buy one.

Joker
 
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JokerRulez

Member
May 9, 2005
48
0
0
Here are a couple of links I found in my travels while investigating HTPC's.

First, a review of Windows XP Media Center 2005. They talk a bit about getting HDTV to work with their rig. HERE Using MC with the Remote is a liberating experience. Fun, fun, fun and real easy.

Also, a site dedicated to nothing but HTPC news. Good stuff all over there. HERE

Hope you folks find this interesting/useful.

Joker
 
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JonTom

Senior member
Oct 10, 2001
311
0
0
Decoding is done by the Video card though as well as hardware overlays. There is really only one reason to get the 350 over the 150, IIRC the 350 has dual TV Tuners while the 150 has a single tuner.

If you are building a strictly HTPC then a good 3d Card is unnecessary. However if you are going to mix some gaming in there then a better card might be something to look into. However the Integrated Geforce 4 MX should be adequate for madden or something.
Click to expand...

Some corrections:
The 350 does not have two tuners (thats the 500). The 350 has an FM tuner and a TV out, with hardware MPG2 decoding. The TV ONLY supports MPG2 IIRC - you cannot see your HTPC menus etc, and maybe not Divx etc. Very good video out for watching TV, completely imcompatible with everything else you use an HTPC for.

A good 3D card is necessary for HTPC if you are going to use VMR9, which treats the TV signal as a 3D object an manipulates it using Dx9. Overlay or VMR7 are not nearly as taxing and a lesser video card will be fine.
 
Keysplayr

Keysplayr

Elite Member
Jan 16, 2003
21,219
55
91
I would have to say a GeForce 6200 or 6600 would do just fine. 6600GT or above is not necessary.
 
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clarkmo

Platinum Member
Oct 27, 2000
2,615
2
81
You know, it depends on what you are connecting to. If it is a high definition tv, then for dvd watching you want a 6800, zoom player and ffdshow. This combination will use the gpu on your video card for much of the processing. I think renderless mode (or is it windowless) is the key to putting the gpu to work and the 6800 will give you the highest possible processing speed. There is info at avsforum that'll help you. I'm just dabbling in it. If it is a regular tv (svideo) or your monitor any old thing should give a satisfactory picture.
 
Gamingphreek

Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
11,679
0
81
Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
I would have to say a GeForce 6200 or 6600 would do just fine. 6600GT or above is not necessary.
Click to expand...

Exactly! Even a Geforce 4mx will run it just fine. Im using the onboard Nforce IGP with 128mb of RAM allocated and it runs like a charm. But if you want to stay with this gen (more than likely) then the 6200 is probably your best bang for buck.

Last i checked you cannot buy a card that does not support 3d acceleration. Everything out there supports some sort of 3d Acceleration.

-Kevin

 
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