building an htpc , which graphics card ?

[bugsbunny14]

hello all ,


i want to build a new desktop pc which i will use also as an htpc to watch high definition movies on my living room tv .

my settings :


core 2 duo 6600 2.4 ghz

2 gb ram

500 gb hd


but i am still confused about some issues .

i have 3 questions :


1- which graphics card to buy


Geforce 7950GT 512MB

or

GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB Video Card


2- some htpcs have many video outputs DVI, VGA, Component, S-Video, and Composite but i didn't find a graphics card with all of these outputs . how did they manget to do that ?



3- will a pc with this power produce alot of heat and noise ? if yes what do u recomend to solve this problem ?


thankyou .

[vico1]

If you've got the money...GeForce 8800 GTS.
I always recommend a really good PSU too.
We like this one for our next build:... (PC Power & Cooling)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817703005

[bugsbunny14]

thanks for the help , one more question :

what is the difference between these geforce 8800 gts models . all the same but different prices ?

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_e/103-4982387-4833438?url=search-alias%3Delectronics...o.x=11&Go.y=10

[Brad Bailey]

I am also in need of graphic card advice for new config that needs to work with HDTV

I currently have a configuration that works for using Beyond TV 4.2 to record and playback TV… BUT 1) does not play audio through TV (just PC speakers) and 2) just got HDTV (Panasonic TH42PX600U)… so I want to reconfigure to get a set up that will work well… and my tech savyness is stretched. (I have chosen to do my own set up rather than Tivo because I need to be able to edit clips out of recordings and maintain top quality rather than face the limits of working with proprietary file types.)

My Panasonic HDTV has NTSC and ATSC (HDTV) tuners, 2 HDMI high-definition inputs and one computer 15 pin VGA input, 2 component video, 3 composite video, 3 S-Video connection.

My current Media PC is
Built with AMD 3000+, 512 RAM, Maxtor 160GB, Maxtor 300GB (7200 / 16MB) SATA-150 HD; XFX GeForce FX 5200 / 128MB DDR / AGP 8X / VGA / TV Out / Video Card, Beyond TV 4.1 and Hauppauge PVR250BTV, USB-UIRT IR Blaster with Direct TV Satellite. Wireless internet. Win XP Home.

My needs (as I understand them) include:
Sound / video card that will allow best output to the HDTV including audio…such as DVI
Tuner card that will allow taking in both a SAT box (Direct TV) feed as well as an over-the-air antenna coax feed for recording either … while also getting both those feeds to the TV for watching.

1. Would a VGA to HDMI converter be worthwhile and carry good video & audio from PC to TV?

2. What cards could I change to that would offer best options?

I would welcome changing to better tuner card that offered dual tuner and HD specs for new BTV 4.6 HD potential.

Also could change to using the following PC
Dell Dimension 4550, Pent. 4 2.53 GHz, 1 GB RAM, XP Home SP2, NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420

3. Would the P4 processor be significantly better than the AMD 3000? I am certainly think about the value of a new Media PC as well. While I know that a dual core would seem to be helpful, I have been doing fine with current as others have, so not sure if that is needed.

4. Any other potential advice or problems? (If I get new PC will BTV4.6 work with new Media Player 11? Vista? Will it make much difference if my OS is XP verses XP Media Center?)

5. Anybody know if HD recording is / can still be MPEG2 or will it create MPEG4 by necessity? (Perhaps an ignorant question)

Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

Brad Bailey

[TBoneit]

DVi to VGA converter, comes with the Evga card for example. I Believe some of the ATI All In Wonders have DVI, VGA, S-Video and Composite out.

One other quibble with your selection, Maybe a 80Gig boot drive and a 500Gig work drive. And a 20X LiteOn DVD Burner such as their SuperAllWrite with LiteScribe model LH-20A1H186C.

You Could try one of these, $600 is around wholesale. Damn
heavy card too, Two slots. Couple it with a Dual Tuner TV card w/MCE remote approx $200 and you've got teh start of a decent HTPC. One thing I would avoid buying anything that doesn't have Vista drivers by now. Even if you are going XP sooner or later you will most likely get the Vista Bug. I'd also want to be sure I can order the Vista upgrade if you buy Xp and get it now for future use.

Good Luck