How much graphics 'grunt'?

[wannabepvr]

For a dedicated HTPC being way overspec-ed is just a waste of money, but being underspec-ed is just a world of pain. Where is the sweet spot?

Specifically for the people using SD TV out (composite, S-video, or component)

What graphics chipset are you using?

Nvidia chips first perhaps someone would care to follow up with ATI - I really don't know the chip/card families well enough.

[wannabepvr]

Yeah, I know its a bit of an open ended question.

Performance is more than just the chipset but it seemed an approximate way to make category brakes. And it does give a guide.

It also gives some clues as to supported technology (such as purevideo)

I was really curious just what most people were using.

[nemulate]

ATI Radeon x300 with no fan so nice and quiet! (Yes know its not an Nvidia card!)

[capone]

Fanless 6200 has been great. It's really a coke/pepsi thing w/ ATI/Nvidia. It's just which one looks better to you, and you understand how to adjust to your liking.

[wannabepvr]

Fanless 6200 has been great. It's really a coke/pepsi thing w/ ATI/Nvidia. It's just which one looks better to you, and you understand how to adjust to your liking.

I am thinking of updating my 5200 to a 6200 (AGP) which is a small but I think significant step.

I don't want to go to a 6600 if there is no real benefit.

[wannabepvr]

Mix bag ATI and Nvidia here... here's the link

http://www.rojakpot.com/showarticle.aspx...=88&pgno=0

Thanks Tipster - Good link. But the shortfall of many of these reviews is that they seem focused on gaming -where more is always better.

But for SD how much is enough? And what are most GBPVR users having sucess with?

[zed]

I recently upgraded from a 5200 to a 6200 and it maybe it's just wishful thinking but it seems noticibly faster. No hard data but it sure seems faster to me, esp. rendering some of the web pages I frequent (including here). IIRC, the card was about $30 after rebate...it's a PNY Verto AGP card from Newegg.

[wannabepvr]

Thanks Zed, I think this (6200) is the way to go. I would love a 7300 but AGP is becomming a limitation.

Lets see some votes in the poll please.

[lonegeek]

Im using a Volari V3XT ...Its not great....its horrible at gradients...tends to leave a huge blotched area with one color...

[capone]

I think the 6200 for a PVR, and 6600 for gaming are the two best cards in the affordable range right now. Both are probably the top of the end of a generation of gfx cards w/ the huge improvements going on.

I think if you want to buy gfx cards to hold you over until the SLI cards get (more) affordable and the HD PVR cards have been around and matured a little longer, these are the best bet. I have both, use both for my suggested uses, and for < $200 combined, have not been disappointed.