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Media Center Video Card
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Shayne
Newbie
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14. June 2006 @ 10:46 |
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I have an HP 7160 Media Center with an Intel 820 dual core processor and integrated video card. I want to get a new video card for it so that I can run a double monitor setup, as well as a TV (S-Video) output. I don't really do any gaming, and would like some advice on a good video card for this. I am thinking that I can just get something cheap like the ATI X300, since all of the better ones seem to be more for gaming than for TV or basic use. Any recommendations??
Is a 128mb card enough to support 2 monitors and a TV, or should I get a 256mb card?
-Shayne
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Senior Member
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14. June 2006 @ 12:19 |
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Is your windows Media Center also, or is that just the computer setup name? Do you plan on running TV into the computer or only out?
Don't skimp on the video card though, if gonna spend some money, do it right.
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Shayne
Newbie
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14. June 2006 @ 12:25 |
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My computer is running Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. I have been, and plan to continue running cable/satellite into my computer. However, part of the reason I am getting a new video card is so that I can output to a TV with my computers PVR functionality. Any recommendations?? I don't really want to spend TOO much on this, and I don't play any computer games, but would like something that will run smoothly with TV and dual monitor. Any opinions on the ATI X300?
-Shayne
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 14. June 2006 @ 12:26
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Senior Member
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14. June 2006 @ 17:14 |
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I was going to warn you to find something that was Media Center Edition (MCE) friendly if trying to pipe TV onto your computer. Lots of people have problems in that area. You dont so I will give you links to threads where people that know more than me about video cards talk about them.
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/344865
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/84660
These are building and hardware threads, read a few pages and you will see many links to recommended cards like this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131007.
--edit--- I recently upgraded machines and went from a Geforce6800 AGP to a 7600 PCI-E and can tell the difference in watching video and I'm not a huge gamer either. Everything is much smoother, this is one area I'd spend a few extra dollars.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 14. June 2006 @ 17:27
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Shayne
Newbie
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19. June 2006 @ 12:37 |
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I just bought a BFG GeForce 7300 GS OC 256MB PCI Express Video Card for $100 with a $30 mail-in rebate (in Canadian dollars). I have yet to install it, but just wanted some opinions whether I should keep it or return it. I also considered the ATI Radeon X700 Pro 256MB AGP which was on sale for $120, but was a little dissuaded from it because of the AGP connection (as opposed to the PCI-E in the GeForce I bought. I have also heard that Nvidia is a little better than ATI lately. Any comments or recommendations?
-Shayne
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Senior Member
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20. June 2006 @ 00:05 |
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Yeah I think nvidia is a little better than ati.I would just keep it now but I'll tell you what the ati radeon x800 gto is a little better than x700 and cost's the same or less.I have the powercolor brand x800gto pci express I got it months ago and it's still great.
Those are getting out dated now but for a good mid-range card that doesn't empty your pockets and can play newer games I recommend it.The bigger the monitor the more powerful of a card you'll need due to the higher res.
This site is the best and most trusted by techs.It's where I got my mine and my power supply. http://www.negegg.com/
these seems to be in your price range
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Order=PRICE&Page=1&...
(ps, make sure you have a power supply with enough juice most gfx cards require 450 watts to be safe)
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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20. June 2006 @ 01:01 |
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The X800GTO is an OK graphics card, and very good value, but what you have to consider is that Powercolor ones (at least the current ones) don't have a heat sensitive fan, so it'll be loud. In a media center for TV applications, GPUs don't typically get hot, so you'd achieve a much quieter MC with a better one than Powercolor. It all depends on what the Media center must do. If it just involves playing films and music then an X300 is adequate. It's when you do games and things like that when it becomes necessary to up your GPU. The X800GTO is good for the price, but how far is far enough?
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Shayne
Newbie
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20. June 2006 @ 04:47 |
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Am I better off with a AGP card with 8 pipelines, or a PCI-E card with only 4 pipelines? both 256mb. Is the ATI x700 pro a better processer than the nvidia 7300 gs? They seem to have similar specs. BTW thanks for the comments.
-Shayne
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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20. June 2006 @ 05:17 |
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The X700 Pro is better than the 7300GS, but of course you must buy the GPU that uses the slot you've got! If you're PCI express in there, you must get a PCI express card.
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Shayne
Newbie
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20. June 2006 @ 06:31 |
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I have both AGP and PCI-E slots available. The ATI x700 I am looking at is AGP while the nvidia is PCI-E. This is why I am leaning towards the nvidia. However, it only has 4 pipelines while the x700 has 8. Should I go for the faster slot, or more pipelines?
-Shayne
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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20. June 2006 @ 06:40 |
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Senior Member
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20. June 2006 @ 11:47 |
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Both AGP and PcI-E??? Wow, I only found 4 boards like that at newegg.com out of the nearly 1000 brands they sell. As I said before, I just recently changed from AGP to PCI-E and there is a difference so I'd lean in that direction. Whichever brand PCI-E Sammoris recomends and suits your budget would be the the way to go.
Sammoris---Thanks for helping and have fun with your build!!!
I'm loving mine more and more every day now that I got these damn Media Center driver conflicts resolved.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 20. June 2006 @ 11:51
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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20. June 2006 @ 14:19 |
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Yeah. Hybrid mobos are rare, it's such a shame they only make basic ones. Imagine how useful a hybrid board of A8N-SLi Premium spec would be, or better yet SLi and AGP! Nah, dream on, too specialist.
It's up to you shayne, if you don't give a monkeys about Games and that, then go with whatever's cheapest, but if you do care, get an X800GTO (any brand other than Powercolor).
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Senior Member
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20. June 2006 @ 19:21 |
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"However, it only has 4 pipelines while the x700 has 8. Should I go for the faster slot, or more pipelines?"
This is a joke right? Any gpu with only 4 pipelines is way behind the radar.Frankly the more pipelines the better.4 PIPLINES AINT PLAYIN SH!T THESE DAYS.
"Nah, dream on, too specialist.
It's up to you shayne, if you don't give a monkeys about Games and that, then go with whatever's cheapest, but if you do care, get an X800GTO (any brand other than Powercolor)."
If you dont play 3d intensive games it's true you won't need a new gfx card!I'm not saying buy power color brand .That's why i left the link.It's up too you shayne.Power color has worked for me and smoked every game for 12 months and still has no probs but it's getting a little out dated right now like I said..
But I use a 15in monitor.That's why I said the bigger the monitor the more powerful gfx card you'll need.Trust me I am A true pc gamer.You aint playin sh!t with 4 pipelines period.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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21. June 2006 @ 02:42 |
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Oh yeah, I'd have nothing against powercolor, but one of my mates has a powercolor X800GTO and it's been pretty rubbish. Seriously, there's no need to just remove the temperature sensor and use a poorer heatsink just to save a couple of dollars. Yeah, I never cared about games with my old GTI 17" CRT (1280x1024). As soon as I moved up to the Viewsonic (2048x1536) and noticed that my 9200 wouldn't play much at those resolutions, I bought this X800 Pro and from then on I was hooked. :-( Expensive habit (though still not as bad as smoking, and healthier too)
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Shayne
Newbie
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21. June 2006 @ 05:01 |
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Thanks for the help everyone. I actually checked out my available slots and I have a PCI-E, but no AGP. I just assumed since I have a newer computer that I would have both. I guess its a good thing I decided to go with the nvidia PCI-E card. Also, my card has a 10-pin s-video output, with an HDTV dongle. The guy at Future Shop said I would be able to plug a standard 4-pin s-video cord into this for a normal s-video connection to my TV. Does this make sense? Have you guys heard of this? It seems a little fishy to me because the card says it doesn't have TV-out, but the guy was sure it would work. I will probably try it out in the next couple of days.
-Shayne
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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21. June 2006 @ 05:03 |
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Nah, very very few new PCs have both. That sounds like it would work, but with S-Video you just have to watch out for picture degradation.
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Senior Member
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21. June 2006 @ 14:23 |
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Well most video cards have a tv out these days and you can bet your newer invidea does too.Of coarse it could be video in but that's extremely rare on non tv tuner video cards(ati all in woder).
My card has dual dvi output and a s video output plus it came with a vga to dvi dongle and svideo to rca adapter in case you don't have the right ones on your monitor/tv.
This link to your card shows nothing about s video but I see it in the freaking picture lol http://www.bfgtech.com/7300GS_256_PCIX.html
And yes Think I have done the 10 pin with a 4 pin cord before and it worked fine.I think they made em backwards compatible but not sure.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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21. June 2006 @ 14:25 |
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Well no, lots of cards have VIVO these days, they're just not all as advanced as All In Wonder.
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Senior Member
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21. June 2006 @ 14:52 |
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True. Either s video or vivo should be there on most new cards.Vivo is ati right?Thanks sam I didn't even think about that.The picture shows svideo on his.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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22. June 2006 @ 02:35 |
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No VIVO is available on both nVidia and ATi cards, but AViVo is an ATi X1000 series phenomenon.
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Senior Member
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22. June 2006 @ 03:37 |
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Ahh that's what it was ...avivo... yes your right I remember now.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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22. June 2006 @ 03:54 |
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Not sure exactly what I'll use it for, but no doubt it'll come in handy somewhere on my new build. I'd love to be able to harness an X1900XT's power to encode DVDs. I don't have to do it often but it's so tedious!
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Senior Member
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22. June 2006 @ 04:27 |
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yeah ati came out with avivo shortly after I got my x800.So I don't get it...sob :(
That x1900xt sounds awesome.I can't afford one lol.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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22. June 2006 @ 04:59 |
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Lol I can't really, but I decided to do it anyway. I was all set on a much cheaper X1900GT then was told it was "discontinued" so rather than settle for something like an X1800XL I decided to just go all out and get the X1900XT. I have an X800 already, so I know about the later release of AViVo!
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