Help Buying A New Graphics Card And Tv Tuner

Jhow · 03-24-2008, 10:31 PM

I want to add a discrete graphics card to my pretty much stock HP Pavilion a6130 (the only thing I added was a hard drive so far). I do not do much gaming but I want to hook the card up to my 32" HD TV and get a good quality picture and I would also like to make my computer into a DVR. I definitely want to have an HDMI out to the computer and I want a TV Tuner so I can make my computer into a DVR. I'm overwhelmed looking at newegg.com at all the different graphics cards and I haven't really even begun to look through all the TV tuner cards. On the Graphics card I don't want to spend any more than $160 and preferably a little less, as for the tv tuner I want something decent but I don't want to have to shell out too much but I do want a remote control. I would like to get some input on what you would recommend for each and please take into consideration if space in my case will be an issue.

Running Windows Vista(primarily)/Ubuntu
AMD X2 5000+ 2.6ghz
3GB RAM
400GB Vista Hard drive/500GB Ubuntu Hard Drive/ 1TB external

This is the computer series:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ca/en...-80230663.html

Here's a comparison of some I was looking at but please feel free to recommend something totally different.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc..._-NA-_-NA-_-NA

And please give me some input on a good tv tuner to pick up.

I also would like to add that I'm always looking for the best deal (US Dollar) and am open to buying on pretty much any site (as long as it's legit). Also I don't mind spending a little more even if I probably can get away with a really low end card because I don't want to have to upgrade anytime soon and I may do some casual gaming at some point.

ducis · 03-24-2008, 10:59 PM

definitely this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161216

elitehacker · 03-25-2008, 01:33 AM

If you don't play games, then I think the best card for you to get is the 7600GT.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150186

That card has the right balance, it will cater for your needs reasonably well if you do decide to play some games and the price is a steal for its performance. As for the tuner cards, they are all out there, I would recommend a PCI one over a USB one. Most of them are just the same so it boils down to, whether or not you like the design of the remote or the software they use. The hardware all come from the same place and they are pretty much identical.

Jhow · 03-25-2008, 07:10 AM

my only problem with your recommendation elite hacker is that it doesn't seem to have an hdmi out and it is out of stock at newegg.

firsttime builder, do you think this card would be too big and obtrusive in my case?

evil-xxx · 03-25-2008, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhow

my only problem with your recommendation elite hacker is that it doesn't seem to have an hdmi out and it is out of stock at newegg.

firsttime builder, do you think this card would be too big and obtrusive in my case?

that's not a big deal cos you can buy a dvi2hdmi adaptor,but certainly you can make another choice.
still I gotta say 7600gt is a good card for a non-game user.

shenry · 03-25-2008, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhow

do you think this card would be too big and obtrusive in my case?

No. It's quite a small card compared to others. My experience with this card has been nothing but good. Highly recommended.

daisymtc · 03-25-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elitehacker

If you don't play games, then I think the best card for you to get is the 7600GT.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150186

That card has the right balance, it will cater for your needs reasonably well if you do decide to play some games and the price is a steal for its performance. As for the tuner cards, they are all out there, I would recommend a PCI one over a USB one. Most of them are just the same so it boils down to, whether or not you like the design of the remote or the software they use. The hardware all come from the same place and they are pretty much identical.

That is not HDCP ready, What's the point?

daisymtc · 03-25-2008, 11:06 AM

Basicly, in your case, any card with HDCP ready will fulfill you purpose.
So the cheapest one you can get is 2400Pro, if you not play game.

However, I do recommend you go for a slightly expensive 8600GT GDDR3 for non intensive gaming.

And if you go for a little more gaming later, the 8800GS -> 9600GT is the way to go. But it is likely that you need a more powerful PSU.

Power Recommendations by Video Card

03-24-2008, 10:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jhow Silver Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 161	Help Buying A New Graphics Card And Tv Tuner I want to add a discrete graphics card to my pretty much stock HP Pavilion a6130 (the only thing I added was a hard drive so far). I do not do much gaming but I want to hook the card up to my 32" HD TV and get a good quality picture and I would also like to make my computer into a DVR. I definitely want to have an HDMI out to the computer and I want a TV Tuner so I can make my computer into a DVR. I'm overwhelmed looking at newegg.com at all the different graphics cards and I haven't really even begun to look through all the TV tuner cards. On the Graphics card I don't want to spend any more than $160 and preferably a little less, as for the tv tuner I want something decent but I don't want to have to shell out too much but I do want a remote control. I would like to get some input on what you would recommend for each and please take into consideration if space in my case will be an issue. Running Windows Vista(primarily)/Ubuntu AMD X2 5000+ 2.6ghz 3GB RAM 400GB Vista Hard drive/500GB Ubuntu Hard Drive/ 1TB external This is the computer series: http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ca/en...-80230663.html Here's a comparison of some I was looking at but please feel free to recommend something totally different. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc..._-NA-_-NA-_-NA And please give me some input on a good tv tuner to pick up. I also would like to add that I'm always looking for the best deal (US Dollar) and am open to buying on pretty much any site (as long as it's legit). Also I don't mind spending a little more even if I probably can get away with a really low end card because I don't want to have to upgrade anytime soon and I may do some casual gaming at some point.

03-24-2008, 10:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
ducis Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A Canadian Summer Posts: 1,403	definitely this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161216 __________________ formerly firsttimebuilder pm me for any questions on sub ambient cooling FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358 My Guide to Benchmark Cooling Free Website Hosting!

03-25-2008, 11:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
daisymtc Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK Posts: 2,563	Basicly, in your case, any card with HDCP ready will fulfill you purpose. So the cheapest one you can get is 2400Pro, if you not play game. However, I do recommend you go for a slightly expensive 8600GT GDDR3 for non intensive gaming. And if you go for a little more gaming later, the 8800GS -> 9600GT is the way to go. But it is likely that you need a more powerful PSU. Power Recommendations by Video Card Last edited by daisymtc; 03-25-2008 at 11:15 AM.

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03-25-2008, 01:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
elitehacker Diamond Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 19 Posts: 2,413	If you don't play games, then I think the best card for you to get is the 7600GT. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150186 That card has the right balance, it will cater for your needs reasonably well if you do decide to play some games and the price is a steal for its performance. As for the tuner cards, they are all out there, I would recommend a PCI one over a USB one. Most of them are just the same so it boils down to, whether or not you like the design of the remote or the software they use. The hardware all come from the same place and they are pretty much identical.

03-25-2008, 07:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jhow Silver Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 161	my only problem with your recommendation elite hacker is that it doesn't seem to have an hdmi out and it is out of stock at newegg. firsttime builder, do you think this card would be too big and obtrusive in my case?