PCI-Express Viedo Card

I want to add a video card to my PCI-e slot, to be able to view photos, movies etc, on my lcd TV. Are these hard to install? and what type/size would I need. I Have an HP media center/a1477c and it only has an input TV tuner, and I want to be able to go to my LCD TV via a DTI or HDMi slot, I might need an DTI/HDMI adapter, but can get that, is a 256 OK or should I go with a 512, It's not for gaming, just viewing. I believe I have one PCI-E slot open in my computer, I can look at the pins to be sure, but that,s what my specs say. also do I need a HDMI slot or would components work fine? The pictures are good quality Digital photos.

 

Hi and welcome to the BBS,

It does not require a very powerful graphics card if you are not playing games, but you should make at least a reasonable advancement over what you have now or it is hardly worth the change.

Your motherboard has a PCI x16 graphics slot
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...s&lc=en&dlc=en&product=1847040&dlc=en&lang=en

256Mb of memory will be fine, but sometimes the 512Mb models are only slightly more.

It is an MSI motherboard, so try checking the graphics card models made by MSI first, they will be absolutely compatible with your motherboard.

Do not expect to use your current graphics head (VGA output) to run your monitor. Putting in the new graphics card will probably disable the onboard graphics.

Look at the output heads on the new card. You will need a DVI output for the conversion to connect the TV's HDMI input (do you mean DVI, not DTI?). You may need a VGA head for your monitor or do you plan to use the TV as your monitor? If so, it will need to be capable of running as a monitor.

Find out the resolution of the TV, make sure the graphics card can easily run that resolution.

All you should need is a graphics card that is say, lower middle range or upper lower range (if that makes sense )

Looking at the cards at www.newegg.com will give you an idea.

Matt

 

Hi Matt, thanks for your response.
I looked at this card from Newegg.
MSI NX8600GT-T2D256E OC GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card.
On sale for $89
it has two DVI outputs, can one of those be used for my monitor, if the onboard VGA slot is disabled when this board is installed. I have noticed on the newer HP's with media center, that have two video cards, one for input and the other for an output, they also can use the onboard VGA connection and some even have an HDMI slot. not sure what brand they are though.

Stu.

 

Hi Matt

Another comment, I have found more MSI's and they have a vga slot as well as a DVI also some do have a HDMI port as well. I notice that heat can be an issue, some come with fan's some not. I would assumne I should get one that has a fan. also, some say 256MB onboard, up to 512mb, might these be able to add more menory??? it looks like it can get complicated. Also I need to make sure I have the room for the card some with fans are much larger than others.
Thanks again. Stu

 

Hi Stu,

Oops, I seem to have missed your reply Let me read them carefully and I will get back to you.

Matt

 

[Just a note that comes to mind. The o/b graphics is ATI X200. It should not make a big difference, but if you were to get a nVidia chipset card, look at uninstalling the ATI items in Add/Remove Programs before shutting down to put the new card in...otherwise it might give the ATI software a headache ]

I think you will need to open the case and check how much space is available for the new card. A lot of those cards are double slot width and it seems all your PCI slots are full. Even the card you linked to seems to have quite a wide profile.

The OC in the model means overclocked, which is not bad, but you would need to try and keep it a little cooler than a standard clocked model.

Cards without fans sound nice, but you need to move air through the case quite rapidly to keep them cool (and I have seen reviews that say they may run at scorching temperatures). I prefer the card to have a fan, but just remember that the new card will definitely increase the temperatures inside the case generally/overall.

I looked some "HDMI" models, they seem to be ATI based and most double slot width. I suppose it may depend on if you want HDMI capability. There does not seem to be any special connector on the card, so without studying HDMI, I expect the output to go through a PCI (TV "slash" Multimedia) card. You will need to investigate how the HDMI works (it's setup).

The cards tend to be pretty much price driven, so if you spend more you will get a better chipset or features. So...you might say opt for 256Mb of RAM, but get a better (more modern) GPU or even the latest/fastest RAM (DDR4). There will be a few trade-offs. DirectX 10 cards will be aimed at gamers.

Maybe work on how much you can spend and let us know. That one you linked to seems very good. Don't go overboard because you really don't need to, unless you really want something like HDMI compatibility. Check if there is much advantage of HDMI over DVI, it seems that HDMI just bundles graphics and audio together.

If you like a few and can't decide, put the model number and "review" into a websearch, they should also relate to you the way you want to use it (not just gaming).

Oh yes, it can get a little complicated That means that they can utilise some of the RAM on your motherboard...but the trade-off is that they have to match the speed of the m/b RAM, so note that they are DDR2. I don't know all the ins and outs, I am only a moderate gamer.

OH! One thing you should check is the system requirements of the programs you want to run. They may give you a guide as to what type of card to get.

Getting a good image on the screen seems to be what you seem to be what you are trying to get, that is probably High Definition, which should be covered by DVI.

Narrow down a few cards and let us know.

Matt

 

Forgot, heads/outputs on the card.

Each of the heads gives an output. You can connect your monitor to one and your TV to the other. You can run them to show the same thing on both screens or "stretch" your desktop across both. Games and say, programs like Television, will only output on one of the screens.

If your monitor has a VGA connector, you should find a VGA to DVI adapter included with the card (check the "contents" of the package, Newegg has pictures and it will be listed).

Matt
Just noticed the DVI to HDMI adapter:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowI...RX2600XT-T2D512EZ+Silent+Heat+Pipe+Video+Card

 

Thanks for the reply, I looked inside and i have plenty of room, and yes I found out a fan is needed. I was hoping to still use my VGA port on the computer, but u stated it might be disabled when I install the new card, i noticed the newer HP's still use the vga port and also have a video caed as well, i need to reasearch this a little more. i'll read through your response and get back to you, good info thanks again. also I notice many of them are direct x also not much need for HDMI, can get an adapter if necessary or use the DVI on both.

stu

 

It should tell you in the "graphics section" of the User Guide (motherboard manual).