[mythtvnz] graphics card options

[Bruce Wilson]

On 21 November 2011 13:35, Roger Searle <roger.searle at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi, I am in the middle of setting up a dedicated myth front end box that has
> onboard everything including an HDMI port, and an empty PCI-e slot.  I'm
> recycling an ATX motherboard/amd cpu, a couple of years old and modest specs
> for that time (not sure which board/cpu off the top of my head but it is
> nvidia video) in a full size box.  I'm yet to determine if the HDMI port
> "just works" or can be made to work, being a simple but probably only
> interim connection to an HD TV.  Thus far I have a functional myth
> installation that displays fine on an LCD monitor.  Total expenditure so far
> is zero.
>
> I am weighing up the best course to follow.  The main feedback I am
> interested in assumes the better choice is to have a dedicated card,
> primarily since it hands off the processing from the CPU to the card and
> that the onboard HDMI port + cpu isn't going to manage 1080i/p.  Seems
> VDPAU, h.264, and the usual "more RAM is good" is where to pay attention.
> This wikipedia page seems to be a good summary of cards:
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nvidia_PureVideo
>
> suggesting feature set C and a GeForce 210, I believe is this from Dragon:
>
> http://www.dragonpc.co.nz/p.aspx?230501
>
> or the more modern feature set D and a GeForce 430:
>
> http://www.dragonpc.co.nz/p.aspx?214439
>
> Any feedback on these options or similar would be appreciated.  Hopefully I
> am correctly lining up the relevant specs.  Both cards are low profile
> capable which offers some future proofing should I build something in a
> smaller form factor.  Would there be much difference noticeable between a C
> or D feature set capable card in a myth FE box?  Is there something else I
> should also be paying attention to?
>
> I see the 430 has 2 fans, just how quiet would they be?  Is the passively
> cooled 210 a better option if noise is given weight or is this not much of
> an issue in practice?
>
> Are there similar cards I should consider in that <$100 price range?  Other
> local (esp Chch) suppliers?
>
> Cheers,
> Roger
>
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I have the GeForce 430, the fans are really really quiet.

Cheers
Bruce