Graphics card advice

[leowyatt]

Hey all,

Have finally got MCE on a PC that was donated to us however the graphics card is only 32MB. So I need to get a card that is 64 or 128mb and AGP. Ideally as cheap as possible :) Any particular models to look out for?

[Garp]

Something like this should do the trick:
http://www.ove*************.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-056-MS

Its cheap, and most importantly has no fans on it, so no noise.

[Matblack]

I run my HTPC with the onboard graphics and its fine, if your not gaming then it should be able to push out a decent image

MB

[Garp]

I run my HTPC with the onboard graphics and its fine, if your not gaming then it should be able to push out a decent image

MB

Hmm.. depends on whether he needs TV out and I guess whether the box has it integrated or not. A surprising number of SFF boxes don't :(

[leowyatt]

Sadly the machine doesn't have on board graphics, it's a couple of years old :(

[Stan_Lite]

I've had a bit of a rummage and have come across 2 Radeon 7000 cards in my "old bits" box. I can test them out later and if they work, you are welcome to one for the price of a large whisky on Friday/Saturday.

They are 64Mb AGP with TVout.

Stan :)

[leowyatt]

That would be awesome dude! A whisky with your name on it has been reserved

[leowyatt]

Meant to ask does anyone use those cards in any MCE boxes?

[Mark]

My MCE box runs off a Radeon 9550. Radeon 7000 is probably pushing it a bit, but it *should* work. If my MCE box wasn't a PITA to do anything with, I'd drop a 7000 in it and see what happened, but I just know I'll regret it if I try something like that.

[leowyatt]

No worries Mark, i'm just trying to find out if the card will work. It's a pain only being able to watch videos in media player.

[Stan_Lite]

Apparently the 7000 series isn't officially supported by Windows MCE but they still work. Make sure you have the latest drivers (https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/6-11-pre-r300_xp-2k_dd_ccc_wdm_38185.exe) installed You may well get a notice telling you the card/drivers are not supported on booting up but just ignore it.

There have been reports of problems watching DVDs with these cards in MCE but, apparently, all you need to do is go into display properties/settings/advanced and ensure that hardware acceleration is enabled.

Stan :)

PS: Tested and the best of the two works. Unfortunately, the only MCE I have is my laptop so I can't test it for compatability but everything I've read on the subject suggests they work fine together :)

[leowyatt]

Don't worry fella, that'll be fine thanks very much.

[Mark]

Hold that thought. I've got an idea. Will get back to you in a few minutes. :)

[leowyatt]

Hold that thought. I've got an idea. Will get back to you in a few minutes. :)

ok dude

[Mark]

Right, I should have a Radeon 9200/9250 somewhere around here that I know works with MCE. The only problem is that I know not where. :(

I did find a GeForce 3, but I suspect that's far too old. :)

[Mark]

No luck finding it today. I'll have another go later in the week, but I wouldn't hold out much hope (certainly not if a better offer comes along).

I can't find an HCL for Windows MCE, but I still suspect that GeForce to be too old.

[Stan_Lite]

Unless I hear otherwise beforehand, I'll still bring the 7000 along with me on Friday then.

Stan :)

[leowyatt]

If you can't find it Mark no worries thanks for looking. Stan thanks for the offer too :) I'll buy you a whisky anyway :D