Cheap video card for HTPC

[jbotz05]

I'm building an HTPC and i'm trying to decide between an X1650 pro 512mb ddr2 128bit or an HD2400 pro 256 mb ddr2 64bit that I plan to buy from RFD sellers. I'm not a gamer at all. Which card is best for an HTPC. Is there a real difference between a 64bit card and a 128bit card when it comes to watching movies or surfing the net?

[willy]

For ~ the same price as HD 2400, you can get a new HD 3450 for ~ $50-55 ...

[jbotz05]

For ~ the same price as HD 2400, you can get a new HD 3450 for ~ $50-55 ...

Actually i'm basing my decision on buying from RFD sellers; $30-$35 for the hd2400 pro or $40 for the X1650 pro.

[willy]

Do those 2 cards have fan ? For HTPC, I personally would go for a passive one (no fan) ...

Between the 2, HD 2400 is more ideal for HTPC. It is excellent for Bluray/HD-DVD hi-def video playback.

[jbotz05]

Do those 2 cards have fan ? For HTPC, I personally would go for a passive one (no fan) ...

Between the 2, HD 2400 is more ideal for HTPC. It is excellent for Bluray/HD-DVD hi-def video playback.

I think both of them have fans. Why is it best to have a passive heatsink? Are the fans too loud?

[ShadowVlican]

yes they are

i hope your HTPC is built with QUIET in mind...

[dasaylay]

Absolutely, go for passive cooling if you can. It's much better to eliminate as much background noise as possible for an HTPC. You don't really want to hear the humming of fans during a quiet scene during a movie.

[Brandon]

What stage of building are you at?

If you don't have any parts yet, why not consider a motherboard with integrated video. I know they're not out yet, but you can get good boards with the 780G chipset which is essentially a Radeon 2400. It would be quiet, use less power and create less heat than a separate video card.

The equivalent nVidia and Intel solutions are going to be out later in the year, and the ATI/AMD solution should be out in a month or less? (just a guess, but some reviews are out for MB's on the 780G)

If you have your eye on something already though, or already have the parts, the Radeon 34xx/36xx series is a good place to start.

http://www.pricecanada.com/detail.php?product_id=526608v (passively cooled)

For used, the Radeon 2xxx series is good as well, good for video playback acceleration. I think the only benefit to getting the 3450 instead of the 2400 is that it uses a little less power on load. There are other things, but they don't matter unless you game (like CrossfireX support for the 3450).

[ppl4golf]

Getting a video card with fan is not the end of the world...putting a fan controller to drop RPM (or via software) can make it pretty quiet.

Passive/silent cards are a little overhyped...yes the heatsink is substantial, but what really happening is it just let the HS cook to >80-90�C easy and equalibrate there...which is perfectly fine in a bigger case with decent circulation to begin with. In a cramped case, it can start to heat up everything inside.

If you don't mod the fan, it'll be the noisiest easy.

[ShadowVlican]

my overclocked 7300GT idles around 55C and goes to around 75C full load

the current low end generation should do even better

a decent case coupled with a single fan should be enough to cool everything

[ppl4golf]

I have a 7300GS with a noisy fan on a small heatsink...I was playing around slowing down the fan and one time it wasn't even on...it cooked to 100�C and stayed there for a bit. Usually is 50's idle and 70's load.

My 8500GT with a big passive grill is hot enough to cook food 80's idle...out of my comfy range and ended up modding a fan to blow onto it and the southbridge.

[lead]

I'd try to expand your options of htpc to include a smallform factor as well. You might change your mind down the road.
That being said the hd2400 is probably your best bet if not simply do to that type's availability. The only hd34xx I come across that seems to be of the low form factor had too wide a heatsink too make use inside a small desktop/htpc without having to replace the heatsink.

[ShadowVlican]

I have a 7300GS with a noisy fan on a small heatsink...I was playing around slowing down the fan and one time it wasn't even on...it cooked to 100�C and stayed there for a bit. Usually is 50's idle and 70's load.

My 8500GT with a big passive grill is hot enough to cook food 80's idle...out of my comfy range and ended up modding a fan to blow onto it and the southbridge.

no wonder u say passive cards are overhyped