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Chat => Entertainment & Technology => Topic started by: mrt on May 14, 2007, 15:43:09 PM

Title: Which Graphics Card?
Post by: mrt on May 14, 2007, 15:43:09 PM
Would like to upgrade from on-board graphics to give me a bit more beef when running Media Center 2005 and also a potential future upgrade to Vista Media Center.  

So have been recommended the following

ATI x1600 - £55.93
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=27792154855&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X3Jldmlld3M=&product_uid=113205

Point Of View 7600GT 256mb
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/106578

or a lower spec 7300GT

Now, I am really confused as there are several different model cards, with GT, Pro etc etc.  Will not be playing games on the machine, purely just to give Media Center a bit more oomph; and to accomodate future upgrade.

Comments as always appreciated.
Title: Which Graphics Card?
Post by: Mardoni on May 14, 2007, 16:27:10 PM
If at any point youre thinking about using PowerDVD to HD-DVD or BlueRay movie playback then you should check out the minimum requirements:

http://www.cyberlink.com/multi/products/require_112_ENU.html

I (stupidly) thought that a FX5200 would be plenty for HD/BR but apparently not. Although my FX5200 does everything else fine and dandy @ 1280*720p.
Title: Re:Which Graphics Card?
Post by: mrt on May 14, 2007, 16:37:53 PM
Well according to the link both the first two cards I mentioned are compatible.  x1600 or 7600GT?  Or would you say that there is not much in it?
Title: Re:Which Graphics Card?
Post by: bigsteve on May 14, 2007, 17:14:57 PM
8500 GT may be the way to go for media centre.
Title: Re:Which Graphics Card?
Post by: Pete on May 14, 2007, 17:31:06 PM
Id go for whichever is quietest out the 2.
Title: Re:Which Graphics Card?
Post by: Shakey on May 14, 2007, 17:58:10 PM
Itd probably be a good idea to find a card that supports HDCP if you intend on playing hi-def through it at any point. I also go with the whichever is quietest choice.
Title: Re:Which Graphics Card?
Post by: Cypher on May 15, 2007, 21:06:12 PM
What about the budget range of the 8 series?

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2007/04/17/nvidia_geforce_8600_gts/1