If $ is no object.....

What cpu are you using? If are using a 2nd gen core i cpu, you don't really need a graphics card for just watching BRs. The cpu graphics is enough. If you want a graphics card regardless, get a ATI 6450 or a passively cooled ati 6570. These should more than enough.

If you are not gaming then the graphics built into an i3/i5/i7 will do everything an htpc needs to do and do it well. This includes 3D and playing 1080p video. The only reason to add a video card would be if you are going to play games.

That card does not bitstream lossless audio. The only nvidia cards to bitstream HD audio are GT430, GTS450 and GTX460. Since you are only going to play BRs and no games, go with the GT430.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-067-_-Product

EDIT: Todd said, the graphics on that i7 handles pristine 1080p beautifully. You really don't need a separate graphics card. Save that money and pre-order this bluray set

http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-Pic...6728891&sr=8-1

Wow, they are FINALLY coming out with the extended edition on bluray...

If you are interested in something beyond the standard DXVA/EVR for better PQ (i.e. LAV CUVID Decoder + madVR), GTS 450 or higher, up to GTX 560 Ti is recommended (470/570 or higher does not support HD audio bitstreming).

i spoke with evga last week.

im currently having issues with the 465 it doesnt bitstream. according to two evga reps the 460 and 480 both do. but the 465 mine falls in betweeen the cracks.

the service rep informed me there have been tests done that shows all 5xx series cards do bitstream.

look at the 570 hd. you said 570 does not bitstream...id like to dissagree with you on that. based on what 2 reps told me and the big fat hd on the logo there.

http://www.evga.com/products/moreInf...s%20Family&sw=

to make a notice...evga does not have a section that says specifically whether or not they do or do not bitstream. i wish they would.

they said all 4xx didnt at first but they released a driver update and some got it and some didnt. thats why its not officially supported. rep claimed the term officially supported to me based off tests.for 5 series

jus sayin.

Anyone dissect a D cinema server. I recently ran a Dolby server playing back content at very high bit rate ( 5 times BD ) at 24fps without a hiccup but these servers retail for 20k.
If they can perform flawless with perfect frame rate without a single dropped frame then I would think a few key ingredients from these servers ported to a consumer machine should be possible but what is inside?

I have a 570, and it doesn't. (mine is even from EVGA)
All cards, except the highend ones, do bitstream. That is, all cards, except, 465, 470, 480, 570, 580, 590.
The GF100 does not bitstream, the 465,470 and 480 are based on that. The GF110 (because its directly based on the GF100) also doesn't bitstream, thats whats in use for the 570, 580 and 590.

To the OPs question - go with the GTS 450, or wait until a 5xx series upgrade of that level of cards is released. Anything faster is truely a waste for HTPC.

You'd better check the release date of each GPU.

- GTX 480/470 (GF100) in March 2010: The first GeForce 4xx GPU.
- GTX 465 (GF100) in June 2010: The same die as 480/470 with (possibly defective) shaders/function units/memory controllers disabled.
- GTX 460 (GF104) in July 2010: A different die from 480/470/465, the first NVIDIA GPU supporting HD audio bitstreaming. Hardware was released on July 11, 2010 and the driver supporting HD audio bitstreaming was released on July 14, 2010.

There are no cracks to fall in between 480 and 460 (except for the numerical value of the model number), 480, 470 and 465 are all identical hardware-wise (with minor changes in clocks and disabled units/shaders/memory controllers). 460 is different. I see how ignorant *tech support* is (as usual, common to almost all companies). As Nev said, only GF100/GF110 do not support HD audio bitstreaming (it's not a driver issue, simply necessary hardware is not on the die). All the others support it. FYI

GF100: 470, 480, 465
GF110: 570, 580, 590 (2 x GF110)

GF104: 460
GF114: 560
GF106: 450
GF116: 550
GF108: 430, 440
GF118: 530, 540, 545?
GF119: 520


Or could be PureVideo HD. I don't know what the package designer meant by HD, and how correctly EVGA support you spoke with understands it.

i switched from a core i3 540 to a core i5 560 (no gpu) and got a 550ti.. the difference in PQ is MORE than noticeable. HUGE difference... it's worth it

I went the other way: ati radeon 5850/6950cf-->core i5-2500k and think the picture looks better in 1080p, FWIW.

Get a passive 6670...anything below will "work" but you won't be able to tweak the settings or use advanced video settings.

Will the 6670 open up more features in the Catalyst Drivers & Software then the 5450?

Thx.

Yes, the 5450 is limited with tose options. For instance if you turn on VA deinterlacing all other post processing must be off.

But I think the real question is are any of those settings even worth using (besides VA).

Thank you!

I would go with a passively cooled radeon 6570.

i'd expect that with how great ati is...

The 5450 is great if money IS an object.

i spoke with evga at 9 am and it sounded like i got someone who was half asleep. so i called on lunch break and got the same rhetoric. they say all cards in 5xx series do bitstream and that the only thing thats special with the hd is that it has a standard hdmi connection. rather than just a mini female hdmi (im speaking on gtx570 hd model)

i say so your telling me that all cards in 5 series do bitstream hd audio? he says yes they do. this is ridiculous are they misleading us to simply sell more cards?

i ended up ordering the 560ti crysis 2 model. i ordered before i read this thread i hope its correct?? >: - $ < from what you said it sounds like it does bitstream. compared favorably with the 570hd. you see just yesterday i spoke with evga on which card to get...they told me 570 was good for it. im glad im asking the questions and finding out these details. thats what a real patriot does..he asks questions.

yes as i had suspected these guys dont know what theyre talking about. you didnt list 560 on there so it must do it. i got the 560ti crysis edition. i knew 460 did based on thread but didnt want to downgrade on gpu so i went up to mentioned.

i feel confident it will suit my needs. fingers crossed!