Max Builds an HTPC Part V: The Graphics Card

Posted By: Max Zuckerman | Dec 4th, 2008 @ 11:16 AM | 29,934 Views | 29 Comments

Formats:

HTPCgraphicscard This is one of the most crucial components to discuss in building our HTPC.

I’ll start off by saying that we will be using a discrete graphics card, so no need to argue for sticking with the onboard solution from the motherboard… actually, if your argument is eeeeextremely compelling, then by all means go for it!

Jump to the pointers:

HDMI is king. And not only is it wicked important, it needs to be able to carry both video AND sound if we want to pipe full high-definition protected content without downgrading quality. HDCP (high definition protected content) is annoying, yes, but consider compatible cards. (note that DVI to HDMI is compatible)
It’s nice to have a discrete card to handle hardware decoding of DVDs etc.
Maybe you’ll play a game or two on this box, might as well be able to, right?
My current front-runner: ATI’s 4000 series. Sure you don’t need a 4830, but it’s pretty darn cool…

Alright, hit it.

Tags: graphics card, max builds a pc series, maxbuildsMediaCenter

Rating:

Trix

HDMI is the lamest standard in the world. One cable bull crap. Stupid copy protection. People get suckored into getting a 100 dollar HDMI cable....and for what a digital signal? That 100 dollar cable is going to give you great quality 1s and zeroes.

In anycase the 4830 is probably your best bet. If people want a little gaming, I'd go 4850. It really depends...

The 4xxx series has a great success story.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3469

sriram
hello world

4850 plz... with 800 stream processors...woah

them 100 dollar cables are like 'super-strong liquid-metal-alloy super-coated ultra-smooth corrosion-proof surface" now try saying that without taking a breath Wink

Max
Spaceman Spiff!

In reply to sriram

#Dec 4th, 2008 @ 12:38 PM

Only the ignorant pay $100 for a cable.... I prefer the under $20 route.

ovidiaconescu

I would go for a card with passive cooling, even though the performance is lower. Let's face it, every card in the past 2 years is good enough to play movies.

Now realy, when did you last play games on your mediacenter pc? Do you realy think they'd make Crysis media center edition? Or do you think that Starcraft 2 will be played with your Media Center Remote?

Between silence and performance, I'd pick silence all the time for the HTPC, given current graphic card performance.

As for the card, the fanless 4850 is about $200, but you will just waste $100. Go for a 9400 or 9600GT at $100-$120.

el guero
The world is not enough

I most definitely will vote for ATI Radeon HD 4550, the 4830 looks great, but let me tell you why I still prefer the 4550.

It is passively cooled, and that is a big yes on a HTPC, it is able to offload movie playback of H.264, VC1, and MPEG-2 formats and also is able to send the HD audio formats that are on blue-ray movies over Linear PCM audio on a single HDMI cable.

This one looks great to me.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131132

And for the record, I think HDMI is awesome, but I can’t wait for the day we don’t have to use cables at all.

Max
Spaceman Spiff!

In reply to el guero

#Dec 4th, 2008 @ 1:14 PM

Well said, and even with a link. Kudos to a good comment Smiley

Max
Spaceman Spiff!

In reply to ovidiaconescu

#Dec 4th, 2008 @ 1:10 PM

Good point, passive cooling is a great idea and very appropriate for this build.

aeoth

"It’s nice to have a discrete card to handle hardware decoding of DVDs etc."
You'd be hard pressed to find any intergrated solutions that don't hardward decode/accelerate MPEG2 (DVDs) these days, but the whole point of looking at chipsets like G45, 780/790G, or 9300 is that they handle VC1 and H.264 hardware acceleration as well - that is, Bluray! The majority of boards that feature these chipsets also have onboard HDMI with audio out as well.

So not only do you save $100-200 now, you save power consumption, don't have any noise.

Trix

In reply to Max

#Dec 4th, 2008 @ 2:08 PM

Well, the brand doesn't matter.... it is all OEM based.