Passive GPU for HD video playback

[lsv]

Hi all,

A friend of mine has a music production computer with an old PCIE X850 in it that has a very loud fan.

He does not game and is looking for a passive card which is capable of playing back 1080p video and also has HDMI out.

I was thinking a Radeon 5450 or perhaps 6450.

Thoughts?

 

[JDG1980]

All modern GPUs, whether discrete or integrated, can accelerate 1080p video playback. He might be better off upgrading to a modern system and just using the iGPU.

If he wants to keep the system he has, I'd probably stay away from the AMD 5450/6450 because they are out of date cards that may not receive driver updates for much longer. There is a fanless Nvidia GT 640 on Newegg for $79.99 - perhaps this would work? That card isn't much good for gaming, but it works well for video and HTPC.

 

[monstercameron]

go big or go home
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/powercolor_radeon_7850_scs3_review,1.html

 

[AnitaPeterson]

go big or go home
http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/powercolor_radeon_7850_scs3_review,1.html

Why is it that some folks are always overly generous when it comes spending to other people's money?
The OP specifically said "He does not game"... so why recommend a gaming card?

Any passive Radeon 6450 will do the trick... they are excellent cards, and very cheap (under $50). Anything else is overkill.

 

[R0H1T]

Maybe one of these provided the budget isn't too constrained.

 

[lsv]

Why is it that some folks are always overly generous when it comes spending to other people's money?
The OP specifically said "He does not game"... so why recommend a gaming card?

Any passive Radeon 6450 will do the trick... they are excellent cards, and very cheap (under $50). Anything else is overkill.

Thanks, the use case is specifically related to this actually. Another poster said replace the main system and go integrated, however, his system is an i7 930 and 12gigs of ram in an Asus P6T SE. It (the system) is for is music production with Albeton Live and he's just recently bought an R4 to replace his archaic generic case (with 80mm super loud fans heh).

It needs to be quiet and the current x800 in there is just too loud at stock.

In any case, The 6450 is probably what I'll recommend, there's one for $40 locally.

Will the 6450 be able to handle 1080p video and perhaps two monitors (1080p LCD+1080p TV) without issue?

Regards!

 

[Kalessian]

http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=75639.0

 

[AnitaPeterson]

I have a 6450 running in a HTPC connected to a 1080p 42" LCD, it plays every type of HD content I throw at it.

And it should support up to three monitors - http://www.amd.com/us/products/desk...6450/pages/amd-radeon-hd-6450-overview.aspx#2

 

[tweakboy]

Grab a 560 Ti will be enough for you. The DAW will run flawless.

Or a 460 for 60 bucks to 80 bucks... gl