CHEAP vid HTPC card options

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1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#116407 28-Apr-2013 16:55

Hi guys. Im after ideas for a cheap HTPC vid card, to replace a dodgy old Nvidia 6600.
Im only using a DVI 19" monitor, do 1080 isnt needed, but h264 etc hardware acceleration would be nice (but may not be needed)

I was thinking perhaps a used Nvidia 8600 at $35. Or perhaps a newer 210 based card ?
Its just the 2nd HTPC in the spare room & doesnt get alot of use, so dont want to spend alot.

A quiet fan is important, that may be hard to find on an old used card.
I wont be needing HDMI.

Cheers

toyonut

1508 posts

Uber Geek

#806795 28-Apr-2013 17:52

Any modern card, even the cheapest one will do what you are after and do hardware decoding up to 1080p. Try these from PB Tech.

Older gen amd card, but really cheap
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=VGASAP5453&name=Sapphire-HD5450-512M-PCI-E-Video-Card-Single-Slot-

Slightly newer gen nvidia card:
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=VGAEVG1314&name=EVGA-GeForce-GT210-1GB-DDR3-PCI-E-2.0-16X-Video-Ca

Both around $50. Do you have pci-e? If you have AGP, second hand is probably the way to go.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

mcraenz

1140 posts

Uber Geek

#806798 28-Apr-2013 18:03

Full height or half height? Are you planning to use Freeview? If so don't touch the Nvidia 210, it won't de-interlace freeview properly. I used an 8600 for Freeview for years with no issues. I just stooped using it and was planing to put it on TradeMe but you can take it for $35 + P&P. (Pick up would be preferred if you're in Auckland).

It's silent: http://techreport.com/r.x/12962_Gigabyte_Silent_Pipe_3_finds_redemption/gigabyte-silent-gt.jpg

Gigabyte 8600 Silent Pipe. (Full Height)

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Nety

2584 posts

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#810599 3-May-2013 06:10

Are you sure the 210 does not handle freeview? I have the 220 and that is fine. I have to admit I did get the 220 because I read that the 210 was borderline for bluray but still a bit surprised if it does not handle freeveiw.

Media centre PC - Case Silverstone LC16M with 2 X 80mm AcoustiFan DustPROOF, MOBO Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H, CPU AMD X2 240 under volted, RAM 4 Gig DDR3 1033, HDD 120Gig System/512Gig data, Tuners 2 X Hauppauge HVR-3000, 1 X HVR-2200, Video Palit GT 220, Sound Realtek 886A HD (onboard), Optical LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray using TotalMedia Theatre Power Corsair VX Series, 450W ATX PSU OS Windows 7 x64

mcraenz

1140 posts

Uber Geek

#810606 3-May-2013 07:33

yes I have one in the pc out in the workshop and if I want to watch freeview HD channels I have to drop the display resolution down to 1280x720 or it's very choppy. This is under win7 evr, I think it was better under xp vmr9 but it's basically a piece of junk right on the edge of being useful. Only good thing about it is that you can get a low profile card with heatsink only, no fan so silent. perfect for an HTPC. if it worked!

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kiwijunglist

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#811263 4-May-2013 18:09

+1 if you want to run 1080i Freeview LiveTV then you need to choose your older generation video card carefully.

All the current generation cards run 1080i easily.

Nety: Are you sure the 210 does not handle freeview? I have the 220 and that is fine. I have to admit I did get the 220 because I read that the 210 was borderline for bluray but still a bit surprised if it does not handle freeveiw.

Freeview 1080i has higher requirements than bluray 1080p

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.