HTPC -PCIExpress, Fanless video card

[mojaveron]

I am looking for a PCIExpress, Fanless video card for a HTPC build, Is there one model/series that really stands out in the under $100 price range? that is capable of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio bitstreaming. Two cards i have been looking at are the ASUS ENGT440 DC SL/DI/1GD3 GeForce GT 440 and ASUS ENGT430 DC SL/DI/1GD3 GeForce GT 430, not sure what the difference is in these cards.

 

[Fallengod]

Ya, that is a good one I was just considering myself on amazon for $55AR. Honestly, thats your best bet.

Its a good card. I went with the non-fanless GT 440 off tigerdirect instead with DDR5 memory for $5 cheaper. I was very tempted on the silent fanless asus model though. It was hard for me to pay slightly more for a slower card just for the sake of noise.

 

[IonusX]

i got two options out of the other camp for you:
for $40 dollars over you can get a 6750 with a free copy of dirt 3 (50 dollar value)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131449
and for 100 even /w a $15 MiR and a free copy of powerDVD or DiVX (30 dollar value) you can get a 6670 and more or less break even with that gt440
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102950
you may also get that same 6670 on tigerdirect for 10 bucks cheaper (and free shipping) but no free software voucher
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1499298&CatId=7005

 

[MrTeal]

The difference between the 430 and the 440 is pretty minor, the 440 has about a 15% faster core clock. The fanless heatsink on it also looks better on the ENGT440, especially if it's going to be in a HTPC case where the card will be mounted vertically.

The other difference is that the 440 is $5 cheaper and has free shipping, so it would definitely be the card to pick between those two on the Egg.

 

[Fallengod]

I think thats the best bet. That asus sounds like its pretty sweet for a fanless card in that speed category. As I said above, I almost bought it but tigerdirect has the fan'd GT 440 with ddr5 memory for $5 cheaper. A GT 440 is a very short card that doesnt require external power connector and allows for decent gaming. Pretty good for HTPC.

 

[RavenSEAL]

I think thats the best bet. That asus sounds like its pretty sweet for a fanless card in that speed category. As I said above, I almost bought it but tigerdirect has the fan'd GT 440 with ddr5 memory for $5 cheaper. A GT 440 is a very short card that doesnt require external power connector and allows for decent gaming. Pretty good for HTPC.

Minus the gaming part

 

[Fallengod]

Minus the gaming part

Huh? Sure you can. I have a GT 430 and I get 200-270 fps with it in the game I play(League of Legends). On top of any source games, even a $15AR GT 520 plays all source games at pretty much max fps. I can even play skyrim on my GT 430 so I dont know why you would say that. A GT 440 is even faster than the card I have.....

Yes, you cant do max quality, max resolution game play in intensive FPS games, but FPS games do not encompass all "gaming". For an HTPC, its a very capable and powerful video card.

 

[Schmide]

GT 430 and I get 270 fps with it in the game I play(League of Legends).

Everybody plays it and the only thing it's not worthy of is stressing your video card.

It's not as good as you make it out to be, but its OK.

 

[Fallengod]

Everybody plays it and the only thing it's not worthy of is stressing your video card.

It's not as good as you make it out to be, but its OK.

I know that, but thats not the point. I wasnt trying to make it "out to be" anything than what it is. My point was, not everyone plays the same games, you cant jump to conclusions as to what constitutes "gaming". Thats not even considering what quality settings or resolutions you play at. The OP is obviously looking at the $50 price range since he said GT 430 and GT 440 so..... I was simply backing up his choice as its a lot of performance for the buck while being silent in the $50 price range.