Graphics card recommendation (NVIDIA)

I'm pleased with this MSI card not to loud, adjustable fan speed and HD Audio.

Does it have to be at least $100?

I recently got a fanless Nvidia GT430 made by Zotac. It is $85 from newegg. It takes up two slots, but it is silent, it will bitstream HD audio, and it has been working well for me (unlike the Sapphire ATI 5450 that it replaced).

http://www.zotacusa.com/zone-geforce...1-20l-388.html

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-175-_-Product

If you don't need HD audio a 9500GT for $50 will do the job nicely.

I would probably go with the gt 430 if you want to do 3d blue ray, if not you can go with a much cheaper radeon 5XXX card.

Pl advice on my HTPC im trying to build to connect my PC to my Samsung LCD 32 inches

Currently im using the VGA cable i got with my 22inch View sonic Monitor and the resolution is set at 1920 *1080 . Im getting very good quality video however would like to know if HDMi would enhance it further. Im running mkv movies at 20-22 % utilisation and want to connect my pc to my Onkyo Home theater 7.1 using optical or coaxial cables as audio is not detected by my home theater in hdmi.

Current Setup

Processor : Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 3.0 GHz
Motherboard : Dg33FB
Ram: 2 GB Corsair
Graphics Card : On-board Intel G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
Sound Card:- On board
Which graphics card and sound card would you recommend ?

graphics card should have an hdmi output

Primary usage : Watching 1080p mkv movies in x.264 or h.64 format

For a sound card one of my firend has suggested HT | OMEGA CLARO Plus+ 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Sound Card

Pl advice Thank you

Also have the Zotac GT430 and it works perfect. Bitstreaming and has been able to play anything I've thrown at it (though I don't do 3d)