Passively cooled video card

[dalroth]

Hey guys, it's been years since I've upgraded my media center PC, so I'm a bit behind on the state of the art. My question: Is there a decent video card that can do 1080p playback, has video acceleration, and is passively cooled (no fan)?

I'm currently using a GeForce FX 5200 and it chokes when I put the resolution up above 1280x800 or so. It won't even play back any video at 1600x1200. We're going to get a new TV soon that can do native 1080p, and I think it's about time to start upgrading the computer.

Thanks!

[CollinR]

I have one, the MSI NX8500GT, however I'm also interested in getting it actively cooled. That heatsink gets damn hot.

[cychou]

Originally Posted by dalroth

Hey guys, it's been years since I've upgraded my media center PC, so I'm a bit behind on the state of the art. My question: Is there a decent video card that can do 1080p playback, has video acceleration, and is passively cooled (no fan)?

I'm currently using a GeForce FX 5200 and it chokes when I put the resolution up above 1280x800 or so. It won't even play back any video at 1600x1200. We're going to get a new TV soon that can do native 1080p, and I think it's about time to start upgrading the computer.

Thanks!

Radeon HD 4550 by Gigabyte (full height) or Sapphire (low profile) are both passive.

HD 4550 can fully accelerate MPG, H264, and VC1. Good score with HQV benchmark (both SD and HD), and it also carries 7.1 LPCM audio over HDMI.

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by dalroth

Hey guys, it's been years since I've upgraded my media center PC, so I'm a bit behind on the state of the art. My question: Is there a decent video card that can do 1080p playback, has video acceleration, and is passively cooled (no fan)?

I'm currently using a GeForce FX 5200 and it chokes when I put the resolution up above 1280x800 or so. It won't even play back any video at 1600x1200. We're going to get a new TV soon that can do native 1080p, and I think it's about time to start upgrading the computer.

Thanks!

If you go passively cooled, just make sure you have plennty of air flow in your case.....they will run hot.

[CollinR]

Originally Posted by paulbeers

If you go passively cooled, just make sure you have plennty of air flow in your case.....they will run hot.

Yea like passive had nothing to do with my choice at the time (4U rack server in a cabinet, sounds like a jet taking off) I really regret it at this point.

[elaw]

Actually regarding case airflow, the situation may be the opposite of what you'd expect!

I just upgraded my HP Z555 media PC. Originally came with an nVidia 6600 card, I replaced it with an MSI R4350.

The results were amazing. Before the upgrade when I tried to play HD-DVD or Blu-ray material, the CPU pegged at 100%, power consumption was about 210W (for the entire machine), and I'd estimate the video played at about 2 FPS - completely unwatchable.

After swapping the video card (and changing nothing else), CPU on the same material ran 40-60%, video played flawlessly, and power consumption *dropped* by 50 watts! Since most of those watts are turned into heat inside the case, the result is a cooler-running machine.

It's definitely the best $35 I've spent in a long time!

[Humanzee]

I just had a gigabyte 8600 GTS die on me, presumably from over heating. http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37232
It was a good card and I was happy until I switched to EVR. I guess the extra work that the card was then doing caused it to over heat. I had to replace the card quickly so I just got what was available at the big box store. The new one with a fan. Its a evga 9800GT which isn't my favorite brand but the new fan doesn't seem to be as loud as I expected, and is actually quieter than my blu-ray drive.

[jlmdxtv]

I've been running a GIGABYTE GV-NX85T256H GeForce 8500 GT for about a year with no problems. The entire chip-side is covered by a massive heat sink.

No fan, and it works like a charm. They're selling for about $50 now - use Google Shopping for a source.

john

[Polypro]

8600GT from Asus. 70C idle, 103C w/1080i. My fans are inaudible, I just have a 120mm gently blowing toward the card, tuners, and Xonar.

P

[dalroth]

Originally Posted by Polypro

8600GT from Asus. 70C idle, 103C w/1080i. My fans are inaudible, I just have a 120mm gently blowing toward the card, tuners, and Xonar.

P

103˚ C, are you kidding me? That's boiling water buddy, that's pretty damn hot. My current CPU never gets above 60˚ C.

Wow, just wow. I sure don't want something running THAT hot inside my entertainment center, it's already hot enough as it is!

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions guys, you've definitely given me a few things to investigate. I'm also going to look at some of the newer integrated laptop chipsets. They might be a good option built into a newer motherboard.

[Polypro]

Uh, their designed to go way hotter. Going on 2 years now. Anyway, good luck.

P

[Wakecrash]

Here is one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161253
On AVS forums their are a number of reviews anything less than 46XX series has less quality deinterlacing and post processing,,,, or something like that...

[cychou]

Originally Posted by Wakecrash

Here is one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161253
On AVS forums their are a number of reviews anything less than 46XX series has less quality deinterlacing and post processing,,,, or something like that...

More Update on 4550 problem from AVSForum