Doing a low-end htpc build for a friend.
Parts list:
DELL OptiPlex 780 (refurb)
Refurbished: DELL Desktop Computer 780 Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.40 GHz) 4 GB DDR3 500 GB HDD Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit - Newegg.com
ASUS HD 6450 (refurb)
ASUS EAH6450 SILENT/DI/1GD3(LP) Radeon HD 6450 1GB 64-Bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card Manufactured Recertified - Newegg.com
or ASUS GT 610 (non refurb)
ASUS GeForce GT 610 DirectX 11.1 GT610-SL-1GD3-L 1GB 64-Bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Newegg.com
ASUS sound card (non refurb)
Asus MIO-892 Sound Board - Newegg.com
The machine will, hopefully, do the following:
1 - Provide a virtual jukebox using an add-on sound card. I'm going digital audio out to a converter to output to existing speaker wire in standing speakers.
2 - Provide a home theater using an add-on video card. I'm going HDMI out from an add-on card directly to a flat screen LCD (HDMI - in).
Here are the questions. The video cards, both are low profile to fit into the DELL chassis. One is PCIe 2.0 x 16, while the other is PCIe 2.1 x16. The OptiPlex motherboard is PCIe compatible. Do I need to worry at all about this PCIe slot being compatible with the card?
Secondly, which video card would you think would perform better for movie applications?
And lastly, would you suggest anything else? Anything different? Anything that would cause concerns?
I am going low end to accommodate a $250 limit here.
Thanks for your input.
Mark
Parts list:
DELL OptiPlex 780 (refurb)
Refurbished: DELL Desktop Computer 780 Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.40 GHz) 4 GB DDR3 500 GB HDD Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit - Newegg.com
ASUS HD 6450 (refurb)
ASUS EAH6450 SILENT/DI/1GD3(LP) Radeon HD 6450 1GB 64-Bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card Manufactured Recertified - Newegg.com
or ASUS GT 610 (non refurb)
ASUS GeForce GT 610 DirectX 11.1 GT610-SL-1GD3-L 1GB 64-Bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Newegg.com
ASUS sound card (non refurb)
Asus MIO-892 Sound Board - Newegg.com
The machine will, hopefully, do the following:
1 - Provide a virtual jukebox using an add-on sound card. I'm going digital audio out to a converter to output to existing speaker wire in standing speakers.
2 - Provide a home theater using an add-on video card. I'm going HDMI out from an add-on card directly to a flat screen LCD (HDMI - in).
Here are the questions. The video cards, both are low profile to fit into the DELL chassis. One is PCIe 2.0 x 16, while the other is PCIe 2.1 x16. The OptiPlex motherboard is PCIe compatible. Do I need to worry at all about this PCIe slot being compatible with the card?
Secondly, which video card would you think would perform better for movie applications?
And lastly, would you suggest anything else? Anything different? Anything that would cause concerns?
I am going low end to accommodate a $250 limit here.
Thanks for your input.
Mark