Video Card Advice Please

D

DynoNobel

New Member
Hey Guys,

I am really new to building computers and I don't exactly know what I am talking about. However I have recently received all the necessary pieces to build a PC for free (I know, nice deal right?). The only problem is it will be underpowered for what I would like to be able to do with it (that much I know).

So what I want to do is hook this computer up to my HDTV in my living room and use it as a media computer: playing downloaded video content, music, web-browsing, and basic applications such as Microsoft word. Also the ability to play games would be nice, but if that requires a lot of upgrades from the current list of parts then I will just have to scrap that idea.

Here is the current list of parts available to me for free:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 (2.33GHz) CPU/4M BOX
ASUS P5QL-EM G43 M.ATX M/B
Kingston DDR-2 800MHz 2G Ram (2Gx2)
WD 640GB 6401AALS SATA II/32MB HDD
Pioneer DVR-S16FXB1 20X DVD Writer
Integrated Intel GMA X4500 graphics with DirectX10 support
Realtek ALC1200 8 -Channel High-Definition Audio CODEC
PCIe Gigabit controller featuring AI NET2

Like I said, I will be hooking this thing up to my Samsung 40" 550 series LCD TV, so I would imagine that graphics card is quite underpowered.

So my question is, what graphics card will work for me? Do I need to upgrade more than the graphics card? Does the card need to have an HDMI connection or is DVI or VGA going to be enough?

I am well aware that this is never going to be an HTPC or anything like that, however I have a very small budget (Student) and I would love to be able to watch videos and browse the web from my couch. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
You could easily get away with a 9500GT if you only plan on watching HD movies. Most 3D games require a much faster GPU. What games do you plan on running? If you're not an enthusiast I would recommend the 9800GT. Of course, along with their respective ATI equivalents.
 
ASUS P5QL-EM already have HDMI out. Try it before you upgrade.
If you really want to upgrad, I suggest you go for ATI 4670
 
DynoNobel said:
So what I want to do is hook this computer up to my HDTV in my living room and use it as a media computer
Click to expand...

I have a media pc connected to my Sony LCD in my living room, and I don't
even have a video card. I'm using the GeForce 6100 onboard graphics and
it works fine. That pc is running Windows 7.

My TV has a VGA input, so I just hooked the VGA cable straight into my TV as
you would a regular monitor.

I don't game on that pc however. If you want to game on it, you may be stuck
investing in a lower end graphics card like this:

EVGA GeForce 9500 GT 1GB ($69.99)
($54.99 after $15.00 Mail-In Rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130395
 
Last edited:
Wow, so what I think I am hearing from some of you is that the current set up should be able to handle everything I would want in a media PC (except for the games). That is really good news! I was assuming it was going to require some costly upgrades!

I also was under the impression that the biggest factor for me would be the graphics card, however thanks to daisymtc's I am starting to realize that the ASUS P5QL-EM is where my connections will come from and it has an HDMI connector. That was just assumption on my part. However, I think that should be good right because HDMI should be the best for connecting to my LCD TV right?

So, about Games. Basically it wouldn't be too many games, I have a PS3, but hate not being able to play the Microsoft exclusive games such as Halo 3 and Age of Empires III. If I do choose to upgrade for the gaming option, am I able to swap in say the 9500GT (or equivalent) without changing any other parts? or do I need to upgrade other things to go with it?
 
The only thing you really need to be concerned about is the PSU. If you really want to be able to max out all the newer games that come out I would look into the GTS 250 or the GTX 260 Core 216. A quality 550W-650W would probably suit you there. If you stayed with the 9500GT you would probably need a 400W PSU at best.
 
DynoNobel said:
Hey Guys,

I am really new to building computers and I don't exactly know what I am talking about. However I have recently received all the necessary pieces to build a PC for free (I know, nice deal right?). The only problem is it will be underpowered for what I would like to be able to do with it (that much I know).

So what I want to do is hook this computer up to my HDTV in my living room and use it as a media computer: playing downloaded video content, music, web-browsing, and basic applications such as Microsoft word. Also the ability to play games would be nice, but if that requires a lot of upgrades from the current list of parts then I will just have to scrap that idea.

Here is the current list of parts available to me for free:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 (2.33GHz) CPU/4M BOX
ASUS P5QL-EM G43 M.ATX M/B
Kingston DDR-2 800MHz 2G Ram (2Gx2)
WD 640GB 6401AALS SATA II/32MB HDD
Pioneer DVR-S16FXB1 20X DVD Writer
Integrated Intel GMA X4500 graphics with DirectX10 support
Realtek ALC1200 8 -Channel High-Definition Audio CODEC
PCIe Gigabit controller featuring AI NET2

Like I said, I will be hooking this thing up to my Samsung 40" 550 series LCD TV, so I would imagine that graphics card is quite underpowered.

So my question is, what graphics card will work for me? Do I need to upgrade more than the graphics card? Does the card need to have an HDMI connection or is DVI or VGA going to be enough?

I am well aware that this is never going to be an HTPC or anything like that, however I have a very small budget (Student) and I would love to be able to watch videos and browse the web from my couch. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...

why couldnt it be a full-blown HTPC? any decent video card over $60 is easily powerful enough to read blu-ray and output 1080p or higher.
 
lovely? said:
why couldnt it be a full-blown HTPC? any decent video card over $60 is easily powerful enough to read blu-ray and output 1080p or higher.
Click to expand...

I have no idea why it couldn't. like I said, I really don't know what I am talking about here.

What exactly would be required (or what do you recommend) to make it a "full-blown HTPC" ???

EDIT: I do already have a PS3 hooked up to the TV which handles my Blu-ray discs, so it is really of no concern to be able to play blu-ray's
 
DynoNobel said:
I have no idea why it couldn't. like I said, I really don't know what I am talking about here.

What exactly would be required (or what do you recommend) to make it a "full-blown HTPC" ???

EDIT: I do already have a PS3 hooked up to the TV which handles my Blu-ray discs, so it is really of no concern to be able to play blu-ray's
Click to expand...

well, , since you have a ps3 already, it does make it a bit more difficult lol.
 
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