Which of the Radeon HD 3000 series is the cheapest that includes HW decoding for HD video?

[bupkus]

Which of the Radeon HD 3000 series is the cheapest that includes HW decoding for HD video?

I'm looking to build a low cost general purpose pc.

I already have the following:

E6300 picked up at clearance
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L mobo

I'm planning on retiring this to an HTPC should I ever find I have the $$ for a Wolfdale.

 

[MarcVenice]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102724

I think ... I read that in march, AMD/ATI will be lowering prices of the HD3650, HD3850 and HD3870. By then, there will probably be HD3850 256mb models for 100-120$ ? That be one hell of a card for a general purpose PC, which will even let you play quite a few games.

 

[bupkus]

That's good to hear. I don't mind waiting a week or two for the upgrade.
However, addressing my question, are you saying that all 3K series have a hw decoder?

 

[legoman666]

your e6300 should be able to handle 1080p anyway.

 

[MarcVenice]

I actually DON'T think his e6300 can handle 1080p. Unless he overclocks it ?

 

[hans007]

all 3000s have hd decoding. i think even all the 2000 series has it. so a 2400 hd radeon would do it too

 

[NinjaJedi]

All 3xxx series cards have UVD. I believe all 2xxx series cards except the 2900 cards have UVD.

 

[legoman666]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
I actually DON'T think his e6300 can handle 1080p. Unless he overclocks it ?

my T7200 (2.0ghz) decodes 1080p perfectly fine and uses 30-50% CPU 60% peak

 

[Nathelion]

depends on what codec you're using...

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: legoman666

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
I actually DON'T think his e6300 can handle 1080p. Unless he overclocks it ?

my T7200 (2.0ghz) decodes 1080p perfectly fine and uses 30-50% CPU 60% peak

...using much more power in the process, limiting multi-tasking, and missing hardware quality features.

 

[legoman666]

Originally posted by: Auric

Originally posted by: legoman666

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
I actually DON'T think his e6300 can handle 1080p. Unless he overclocks it ?

my T7200 (2.0ghz) decodes 1080p perfectly fine and uses 30-50% CPU 60% peak

...using much more power in the process, limiting multi-tasking, and missing hardware quality features.

you multi task while watching 1080p video?

 

[Sylvanas]

I believe a 2400 would be the best choice for your build- it includes UVD, if you can find a cheaper 3450 then go for it.

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: legoman666

Originally posted by: Auric

Originally posted by: legoman666

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
I actually DON'T think his e6300 can handle 1080p. Unless he overclocks it ?

my T7200 (2.0ghz) decodes 1080p perfectly fine and uses 30-50% CPU 60% peak

...using much more power in the process, limiting multi-tasking, and missing hardware quality features.

you multi task while watching 1080p video?

Indubitably! Why tie up the PC just because it is playing video? Regardless of single or dual displays or whether someone is actively involved, I still want the PC to handle schtuff in the background -or rather relegate video to the background and leave it virtually free to do anything else.