Building a HTPC (SFF Build) Some advise please !!

[mroz]

Last thing sound wise a HDMI cable would output both sound and video from the mobo

I'd be interested to know if that's correct. Also are there any PCI-E graphics cards (now or in the pipeline) with HDMI that also output audio?

Last Last thing lol...the 8800 GTS which one do i get because the price varies from like £80 to like £170+...and i would be looking to spend like £100 max on a graphics card..

Are you sure about that? £180 seems a typical price from what I can see.

[x2dazee]

I am pretty sure HDMI outputs both sound and video from the same port, then again i could be wrong..

Oh yeah price on the card is a bit expensive £80 ??..must have been sleepy been it all like 12 in the evening/morning

[mroz]

I am pretty sure HDMI outputs both sound and video from the same port, then again i could be wrong..

It certainly can - the audio forms part of the data stream in between each video frame aiui. I just don't know if gfx hardware is using this possibility.

[staffsMike]

Yeah the Ati cards state they support HDMI video and 5.1 audio.

[x2dazee]

So in essence if i get a graphics card thats is HDCP/HDTV compatible and just use a DVI to HDMI connector i should be all set to go right ? In terms of getting HD output..

One more thing...i read somewhere if i was to get a 8800GTS it would be advisable to get at least a 500W+ PSU as a minimum is there any "truth" or advisable reasons to adhere to this.

Thanks..

[staffsMike]

Yeah that the way to do it

[x2dazee]

Getting the HDMI / DVI connector or the PSU...or both...

[DanceswithUnix]

If you are not a hardcore PC gamer, then the 8800 seems rather over the top.

The hard part to find on a cheap video card is HDCP if you want to show hi-def video via Windows. I presume given you call this an HTPC you want it quiet as well? That implies passive cooling rather than the monster fans on high end cards.

Perhaps something like this 8500GT card would do the trick for you for 55 quid. Graphics cards with audio in still seem very rare, so separate audio connection is still required to the tv.

From what you have said so far, integrated AMD video sounds like the most sensible option.

[x2dazee]

Good point it would save me splashing out on a 500w+ PSU obviously would be nice to have a top graphics card but like you rightly said i am not a hardcore gamer.

The card you pointed out looks pretty nifty lets say i was to push my budget up to like £80 for GFX card you got any other suggestions for a passively cooled card.

"integrated AMD video sounds like the most sensible option" - True say but i would splash out on a gfx card sooner or later as this would reduce the load on the CPU right...

[staffsMike]

The gigabyte one always makes me shudder..its looks horrible and the cooling on it sucks as well

I thought you were doing lots of gaming..my mistake lol

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=615617

i have this one in my silent pc. Stays very cool (around 45 degrees) and looks to part to

[x2dazee]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...imilarProducts

Is that any good, from the scan website it puts a X in the HDCP Tech specs does that make it HD incompatible or just there is no HD Copyright protection. (talking about the Gainward)

Also does having more memory i.e. 512 necessarily make it a better graphics card.thanks.

[mroz]

Yeah the Ati cards state they support HDMI video and 5.1 audio.

Interesting. Are they effectively an integrated video/audio solution, or do you still need an audio card/mobo audio to feed them, with the gfx card effectively just multiplexing the audio into the video stream?

[mroz]

from the scan website it puts a X in the HDCP Tech specs does that make it HD incompatible or just there is no HD Copyright protection. (talking about the Gainward)

It means no High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, so if you have a protected movie on HD DVD or Blu Ray (not all will be protected), you won't be able to watch it at high resolution, unless you subvert the protection methods. Unprotected content at high res isn't a problem.

In case it isn't obvious, to watch HDCP material without hacks, you need a gfx card with supports HDCP & a display device which supports HDCP.

Also does having more memory i.e. 512 necessarily make it a better graphics card.thanks.

No. It means, in part, it has the capacity to cope with higher resolution displays. It's not something you need to worry about unless gaming on high spec monitors of typically 24" plus. In this context high res means significantly higher than a 1080p HD movie, so if you're using either a smaller or cheaper monitor or an HD tv, most current gfx cards will have enough memory for you (ie around 256MiB).

[DanceswithUnix]

The gigabyte one always makes me shudder..its looks horrible and the cooling on it sucks as well

I know it looks a bit Fugly, but Gigabyte passive cards used to be cooled by Zalman who are generally trusted to get it right. My 6600GT certainly was Zalman cooled. Have they changed that?

[staffsMike]

The few reviews i could find for it were very negative, as were those for the asus passive 8500gt. The gainward or leadtek passive ones are the way to go imo.

[x2dazee]

The few reviews i could find for it were very negative, as were those for the asus passive 8500gt. The gainward or leadtek passive ones are the way to go imo.

Is that the case with the 256MB Sapphire HD2600XT PCI as well.....

I found the following Club 3D 8600GT Passive Heatpipe Gfx card..what are your thoughts.

http://www.club3d.nl/index.php/produ...phics/item/276

So difficult getting a gfx card that is quiet (prefably passively cooled) and wouldn't die playing a few odd games i.e. good frame rate etc...