Seeking video card advice

[dru37]

I do not use my desktop for gaming. I want to use Windows 7 dual monitor capability to connect via HDMI to a home theater AV receiver and HDTV in another room. So am looking for a PCI-E x16 video card with HDMI output.

The GeForce GT 220 is inexpensive and seems to have what I need. But I don't mind spending for a premium card, I just don't want to spend unnecessarily on capability built for PC gaming.

Here are some of my questions:

1. Does more memory (e.g. 1GB vs. 512MB) help for HD video viewing? Or does memory just matter for gaming?
2. Is GDDR memory a better choice than DDR2 memory for HD video viewing? What about GDDR2 vs. GDDR3 vs. GDDR5?
3. What other video card features are important for HD video viewing?
4. Any suggestions for a specific card?

 

[Coolness]

I do not use my desktop for gaming. I want to use Windows 7 dual monitor capability to connect via HDMI to a home theater AV receiver and HDTV in another room. So am looking for a PCI-E x16 video card with HDMI output.

The GeForce GT 220 is inexpensive and seems to have what I need. But I don't mind spending for a premium card, I just don't want to spend unnecessarily on capability built for PC gaming.

Here are some of my questions:

1. Does more memory (e.g. 1GB vs. 512MB) help for HD video viewing? Or does memory just matter for gaming?
2. Is GDDR memory a better choice than DDR2 memory for HD video viewing? What about GDDR2 vs. GDDR3 vs. GDDR5?
3. What other video card features are important for HD video viewing?
4. Any suggestions for a specific card?

1. You need memory for everything, not just for games. If you have more, your computer is faster. It doesnt directly link to Multimedia or gaming.
2. The numbers (ddr2 vs ddr3) are the key here. So, gddr5 is faster than gddr4, which is faster than gddr3. The G in the GDDR is i think a newer technology, thus faster. There is no gddr4 or 5 RAM, but they are used in Graphics cards. Usually, if you play games you need faster memory, but for just watching videos, the size is enough. You should get a 1gb card, with say, gddr3 memory, with HDMI & DVI.
3. I mentioned that above, you need Graphics RAM. 1gb should be good.
4. My card, the 9400 GS or even a 9600 or 9800 would be good for you.

 

[dru37]

Thank you coolness. What about the memory interface? 256 bit vs. 128 bit?

 

[Coolness]

Thank you coolness. What about the memory interface? 256 bit vs. 128 bit?

Yeah, 256 is a must if you run games. If, not the 128 bit will be fine.

 

[rvbfan]

The G in GDDR stands for graphic I believe.
The memory is made specifically for graphics cards.
ATI has some newer cheeper cards out as well
that would do the job for you.

 

[Zepher]

Take a look at this one,
Newegg.com - MSI R4350-MD512H Radeon HD 4350 512MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
It's only $20 after rebate and should work perfectly.

the long HDMI cable is going to cost you a bit though,
get it from here, HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more!

 

[Fumz]

I do not use my desktop for gaming. I want to use Windows 7 dual monitor capability to connect via HDMI to a home theater AV receiver and HDTV in another room. So am looking for a PCI-E x16 video card with HDMI output.

The GeForce GT 220 is inexpensive and seems to have what I need. But I don't mind spending for a premium card, I just don't want to spend unnecessarily on capability built for PC gaming.

Here are some of my questions:

1. Does more memory (e.g. 1GB vs. 512MB) help for HD video viewing? Or does memory just matter for gaming?
2. Is GDDR memory a better choice than DDR2 memory for HD video viewing? What about GDDR2 vs. GDDR3 vs. GDDR5?
3. What other video card features are important for HD video viewing?
4. Any suggestions for a specific card?

I think perhaps some clarification is needed here?

Yes, more memory helps with viewing video if you've only got a small amount. 2GB is good, 3 is better for an htpc. Of course, 4 or more won't hurt, but you're not going to notice any increases in performance as there are none to be had after a certain point... either playback is seamless or it is not.

As stated earlier, GDDR is graphics DDR, and it's what comes on the video card. Do not concern yourself with the type of memory the graphics card has, whether it's GDDR3, 4 or 5, because at the end of the day, it matters very little. While it's true that in theory GDDR5 can reach speeds much greater than GDDR3, in reality, the performance between a GDDR3 and GDDR5 card are about the same because the memory interface is different. A GDDR3 card with a 500-bit memory interface is going to be just as badass as a GDDR5 card with only a 256-bit interface, even if it's clocked higher.

As for "which card", you should take some time to consider what ATI/AMD have to offer if you're really only doing this for an htpc. With ATI, you can output the sound through the hdmi, whereas you cannot with an nvidia card.... something to consider.

HD viewing in practice does not really require a whole lot of graphics power... even an older X800 does a really good job of outputting video (brother in law does it with this card). Do a little reading, see what fits your situation best, and don't think you have to spend oodles of coin just to have a good experience.

 

[dru37]

Thank you fumz. I should have been more clear. I was asking about graphics card memory, and am now satisfied that 1Mb is sufficient for my needs. Also, if nvidia doesn't output sound via hdmi, then the GT 220 is a bad choice for my needs. I do need the sound signal on the hdmi output.

 

[Fumz]

Anytime.

1GB of onboard RAM is more than enough... much more. Most of it's going to go unused. For great playback you really want/need enough system RAM, so don't go overboard on the video card and sell yourself short on system RAM.

 

[Coolness]

Anytime.

1GB of onboard RAM is more than enough... much more. Most of it's going to go unused. For great playback you really want/need enough system RAM, so don't go overboard on the video card and sell yourself short on system RAM.

Well, i think that 1gb is necessary for large screens with 1080p Resolutions. Altho much of it will be unused, the 512mb space would fill instantly.

 

[Fumz]

Playing movies isn't like playing games. You don't need large amounts of onboard RAM because you're not filling the space with a bunch of extra textures, AA and AF... so while it sounds like it makes sense to have a lot of onboard RAM to play 1080p movies, that's really not how it works out.

My brother in law has a 42 inch 720p tv he uses with media center and an x800xl, with only 256MB onboard... playback is flawless, no matter what he throws at it. He's really into all this stuff and was explaining it to me over the xmas holiday... so much so that my eyes glazed over and rolled back into my head... and I'm usually ok with the geek-speak.

Anyway, he convinced me to build my own htpc, and I'm doing just that right now. It's actually quite amazing how little power they really require. You don't need a lot of cpu (i'm going to use an old athlon single core 3200, which is more than enough), and I'm tossing in a little $50.00 ATI. The only thing I really have to "worry" about is finding enough system RAM. I'm using an old board that uses regular old DDR, and as soon as I find another gig on ebay that's reasonably priced, I'm good to go.

 

[Bootz]

you only need a high bit video card if u plan on doing high resolution gaming i believe

 

[Fumz]

^ Yeah.

Here's an example of just such a toy that demonstrates how little is required for great playback: Patriot Box Office HD Media Player Review - Patriot Box Office ? A Look Inside - Legit Reviews

Go over the system specs and see just how little memory this thing has; in total, less than 512MB, DDR and flash ROM. (it's using SSD's as opposed to using regular hd's and RAM)

My point is that you really don't have to spend very much at all. The Box Office is ~ $100.00, so if you're spending much more, then you have to ask why when you could just as easily get this?

 

[Zepher]

Anyway, he convinced me to build my own htpc, and I'm doing just that right now. It's actually quite amazing how little power they really require. You don't need a lot of cpu (i'm going to use an old athlon single core 3200, which is more than enough), and I'm tossing in a little $50.00 ATI. The only thing I really have to "worry" about is finding enough system RAM. I'm using an old board that uses regular old DDR, and as soon as I find another gig on ebay that's reasonably priced, I'm good to go.

If you play 1080P video that does not decode through the video card, then your Athlon 3200 will struggle with playback since the CPU will end up doing the decoding.

 

[Fumz]

I was thinking of tossing this cheapie into the rig: Newegg.com - HIS H545H512 Radeon HD 5450 (Cedar) 512MB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

 

[dru37]

Thank you all for your input, I love this site. Here is what I plan to buy:
- ATI chipset (I need audio output on the hdmi port)
- 128 bit
- 1Gb (on the graphics card)
- 1 HDMI, 1 DVI

Should I care about manufacturer? Or just be shopping price point?

 

[Frostmourne]

Thank you all for your input, I love this site. Here is what I plan to buy:
- ATI chipset (I need audio output on the hdmi port)
- 128 bit
- 1Gb (on the graphics card)
- 1 HDMI, 1 DVI

Should I care about manufacturer? Or just be shopping price point?

Perfect choice. ATI's 5xxx series cards support PAP over HDMI. I would go for the 5450 or 5670. As for manufacturer, Sapphire is a great choice.

 

[Coolness]

Thank you all for your input, I love this site. Here is what I plan to buy:
- ATI chipset (I need audio output on the hdmi port)
- 128 bit
- 1Gb (on the graphics card)
- 1 HDMI, 1 DVI

Should I care about manufacturer? Or just be shopping price point?

Perfect choice. ATI's 5xxx series cards support PAP over HDMI. I would go for the 5450 or 5670. As for manufacturer, Sapphire is a great choice.

So is Asus, Gigabyte and Gainward but i think the two latter only make nVidia.

 

[Frostmourne]

Asus is junk, my dead 9600GT shorted out - never bought a factory pc again. Sapphire makes ATI GPU's - perfect choice.

 

[RST101]

Asus may be junk in your opinion but I know the majority have had positive experiences with Asus, including myself.

Regardless of who makes the product you will always find duds in their shipments, but I think overall Asus are a quality make.