ZOTAC GeForce GT 430 $19.99 AC AR FS

The price is right, but this big card seems like overkill for most HTPC builds. But if you have a full size case, not terraibly concerned with noise or power. I am sure this would do.

Quote from Technosquid : You're missing the $30 rebate. AR = After Rebate.

I dont think rebate is easy to get. Forget about Zotac rebate if you really want this card.

Quote from Technosquid : Waiting to see how many zotac rebate TC'ers we get in here before I consider it.

Quote from updownstock : I dont think rebate is easy to get. Forget about Zotac rebate if you really want this card.

...and we have our first zotac rebate TCer.

I bought this card for $15 AC a few months back. I have only used it for folding, Physx and audio output, so I can't really comment on its graphics performance.

It's single slot, quiet, and cool. It overclocked decently too. I think that it uses about 60W worst case under load. If you need an HTPC card, this is a good low-end candidate.

EDIT: Rebate wasn't a hassle. It took me about 6 weeks to receive it.

Quote from Technosquid : I think when it comes to hardcore HTPC enthusiasts, you have to look at the HQV 2.0 benchmarks. Just about any card you buy today is going to play do straight 1080p bluray or mkv playback. If you're spending more on a card, it's going to be for the ability to add playback filters. Noise reduction, dynamic contrast, resolution enhancement, etc. Here's a HQV 2.0 test that Tom's did on some cards last year. http://www.tomshardware.com/revie...,2844.html and the results http://www.tomshardware.com/revie...44-10.html http://www.tomshardware.com/revie...25-14.html Sometimes the shortcomings reflected in these scores is a driver issue, so you may want to google a more recent HQV 2.0 benchmark on a specific card if you suspect the score might be higher with updated drivers. Beyond that, there's the issues of power, fan noise, and low-profile vs full size card. I ended up choosing a full-height HD 6570 for my current HTPC build. Was about $45.

HQV 2.0 is great, and is what most users should base their decision on. Most of the tweaking, if not all, that is possible from the standard driver choices and the more accessible ones in many of the video players are reflected there, and the Tom's Hardware reviews do a VERY good job of breaking down the various aspects of it. In fact for many users all the features reviewed are overkill, though Tom's does an excellent job of analyzing which ones very few users will need.

However, if you really want to get into tweaking you may want to consider some of the open source software available for video playback, and LAV splitter and Audio Decoder, and the LAV CUVID (only available for Nvidia GPU's) and madVR. This review (also linked to by an earlier poster) is what got me interested in it. My primary interest if seeing how good an upconversion I can get from older video sources, and the GT 430 has some intriguing results from the benchmarks on page 14 of the link below - you want to read the linked page and the next two pages if you want to get an overview of this option.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/438...hootout/12

good deal but useless

Quote from AvidBuyer : good deal but useless

I wouldn't say so. I recently picked up a GT430 for the purpose of enabling Hybrid Physx. Cheaper than switching out my Radeon 6870.

Quote from AvidBuyer : good deal but useless

Just b/c you don't have a need for something, doesn't make it useless.


I have the ASUS GT430 in my HTPC. Plays everything I throw at with w/o any issues. Also one of the few low end cards that will play 3D .mkv's.

Quote from quicklyspent : Just b/c you don't have a need for something, doesn't make it useless. I have the ASUS GT430 in my HTPC. Plays everything I throw at with w/o any issues. Also one of the few low end cards that will play 3D .mkv's.

If your going to get a gpu you probably want to play games, So you might as well get something that will last

Quote from HotBBQ : I wouldn't say so. I recently picked up a GT430 for the purpose of enabling Hybrid Physx. Cheaper than switching out my Radeon 6870.

I guess that is a valid use.

Quote from Technosquid : I ended up choosing a full-height HD 6570 for my current HTPC build. Was about $45.

That's what I got for $49.99 after rebate, too, on Amazon [amazon.com]. They gave a Steam code for the Sonic Generations game as well.

What do you think about the picture you get out of it? I have it plugged into my Mitsubishi 60" DLP, and it's okay. Not as nice as my PS3 output, but it's a decent picture.

Quote from AvidBuyer : If your going to get a gpu you probably want to play games, So you might as well get something that will last

No. Its a HTPC. Its sole purpose is to play .mkv's. So again, just b/c you don't have a use for something, doesn't make it useless.

Can this card output the advanced sound formats.

Quote from mrstangblb : That's what I got for $49.99 after rebate, too, on Amazon [amazon.com]. They gave a Steam code for the Sonic Generations game as well.

Does that card not come with the LP bracket? Seems strange. Although the configuration is probably standard enough that it works with generic LP brackets.

Looks like a good deal I went with a full-height one I found on ebay. Actually it was posted by a member here, but it may have been deleted for suspected self-promotion. It was $39.90 + 4.90 shipping. I'd link to it, but I don't want to get any mods mad at me! =P

FILLABLE REBATE FORM attached below....

I made a fillable rebate form for those of you who like to use them and thought I would share....