Which video card should I get?

[Lorry]

Hi!
I'm going to build a new HTPC for my self and wondering witch video card to buy? Are most people still using nVidia cards or have the problems with ATI been solved?

The card will be used for playing:
* dvb-t
* mpeg4 dvb-t (when they will start sending it.)
* .mkv files
* .avi..... and all other common video files.

[Pob]

For an easy life IMHO I would go Nvidia. I did try ATI but drivers were a problem, and getting hardware acceleration working difficult.
With Nvidia, you now have the option of not only DXVA acceleration but many apps (CoreAVC, PowerDVD) now also support CUDA acceleration, so you have more options.
Any card reccomended by Tom's hardware would be great:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best...521-3.html

[pcostanza]

I've been an nVidia fan most of my geek life but on a recent build got an ATI and am very pleased. It seems they are like a pendulum swinging back and forth between the two companies.
I agree about the CUDA comment as more new programs seem to support it. Some of the mid to upper ATI boards come with AVIVO which uses the ATI Stream and it encodes 25% or more faster for me. I do think more programs support CUDA than Stream at this point.
I may be building a HTPC soon and have no idea at this point, what I want. The good thing is that we have so many choices and the prices are very good now. They won't stay that way forever.

[smajor]

I just got a 9800GT (Tom's Hardware link). I'm insanely happy with it and GB-PVR. It's played everything I've throw at it with no tearing, hiccups, or anything.

I got it at NewEgg.com and is a PNY branded nVidia. It was about $95 (after rebate). It's a full height card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-text-_-

[mikeh49]

I have a Gigabyte 9500GT that plays everything (MPEG that is). No experience with h.264 files. Current ATIs in the 4500 or 4600 series have, I believe, more stream processors than the 9000 series Nvidias. Someone on the forum said that was important. Also, a few years ago, the memory path width was important, with 128K being the minimum. I don't know if a 256K path would make a difference with a modern card. My impression is that most users seem to be satisfied with 9400 and above Nvidias and 4600 series ATIs. I think the tearing that Nvidias experienced previously is resolved with Vista/Win7 and the EVR renderer.

[ga_mueller]

For some perspective from the "bottom of the barrel" of graphics cards, the 8400gs (now $20 at TigerDirect!!) in my system works great with XP and VMR9 FSE... plays anything, as long as you use a codec that supports DXVA.