YAHTPCVideoCardT

[blackangst1]

Its been about 12 months since I built my HTPC, and I can say I *am* happy with it. Im curious if on board video is still the way to go now? Or should I consider a fanless card? Now for the tibits.

HTPC is only used for media. 70% of the media is stored locally on the machine, 30% streamed over 5ghz wifi. I dont stream video from online.

I stream to my Pioneer Elite VTX52 receiver.

98% of my media is DTS or better for video, FLAC for audio.

According to my receiver, Im receiving everything up to DTS HD just fine.

I havent noticed any significant picture quality issues during movies.

No plans in the near future for wanting 3D support.

My hardware:
Intel i3 2100 Sandy Bridge CPU
MSI Z77A mobo (I think Im remembering correctly!)
4 gigs some memory cant remember
Win 7 Pro 32 bit

Media software: WMC mainly, with Shark007 codecs, virtual clone drive, and Mikinho mount image. This setup plays 95% of what I throw at it, including blu-ray, ISO, and FLAC.

Total Media 5 backup software.



So I think thats about it. Would I see a quality difference using a vid card, and what would you recommend?

 

[Rio Rebel]

There is no media out there which can be played on a discreet graphics card but not your Ivy Bridge IGP. Unless you're going to start gaming on it, you've got a great setup right now, even if you wanted to do 3D.

 

[Binky]

About the only visible (to me) difference might be faster menus in Media Browser. My GT430 card whips through the menus a little faster than the onboard video. Playback of video is about the same.

 

[blackangst1]

There is no media out there which can be played on a discreet graphics card but not your Ivy Bridge IGP. Unless you're going to start gaming on it, you've got a great setup right now, even if you wanted to do 3D.

I had to correct my post. My i3 is a 2100 Sandy Bridge. I was thinking Ivy Bridge because I upgraded my office/gaming PC to i7 Ivy in May. Ivy wasnt even out last year 😛

Same conclusion?

 

[Rio Rebel]

Same answer for Sandy Bridge. And from my experience, bitstreaming HD audio seems more reliable with the Intel integrated GPU.

 

[blackangst1]

Same answer for Sandy Bridge. And from my experience, bitstreaming HD audio seems more reliable with the Intel integrated GPU.

Thanks Rebel. I suspected as much but just wanted confirmation.

 

[Rio Rebel]

No problem. I had to replace my core I3 first generation and ended up with an AMD 6450. Nice card, but spent hours getting it to bitstream in various programs

 

[Aikouka]

I used to use a 5450 in a HTPC, and I don't recall having that much of an issue with it. I did use a different HDMI driver than what came in the Catalyst package as that was a change that I saw recommended somewhere on the Internet. I believe AMD's packaged HDMI driver had issues with bitstreaming. 😛

 

[joutlaw]

Running the same CPU and have no problems with WMC / Ceton / XBMC . I play 1080p content with Dolby TrueHD or DTS-MA with no problems.