Processors And Video Cards

[Fritz]

Which component is the most critical for proper Blu-ray playback using a computer, processor speed or video card quality?

[mj3k]

The Video card is the most important for your Blu experience on a computer build... just buy any new processor from amd to intel and your good...

[Fritz]

Thank you for your input Mj3k.

[mj3k]

Also make sure your moniter is 1080p for thr HDCP handshake...and if you want you can see my beast on this website for some insight...just click on my BR computer build.......and have fun building your dream machine...

[Fritz]

I just finished looking at your computer rig. Sweet.

[tommyboy81]

Originally Posted by mj3k

Also make sure your moniter is 1080p for thr HDCP handshake...and if you want you can see my beast on this website for some insight...just click on my BR computer build.......and have fun building your dream machine...

link please.

[Fritz]

What advantage is there with using multiple video cards?

[fairchild]

Multiple cards either in SLI (nvidia) or Crossfire (AMD/ATI) is to get tons of performance primarily for 3D gaming on the PC.

I don't think there's any advantadge to multiple cards for a simple HTPC to play blu-rays.

[mj3k]

Fairchild, hit it right on the money, Double/Triple/Quad is only really for gaming performance and 3-d and what ever else that needs hefty graphics...1 card is good enough for Bluray enjoyment...all the new cards have HDMI now instead of mix DVI/HDMI or just 2 DVI outs..

[mj3k]

Just click on my HT gallery under my Avatar and you'll see my HT/Bluray computer build folder at the top along with my other ht folder's...

[BLindsay]

and you really only need multiple cards for us crazy folks running triple screens (or maybe 2560x1600 res)

[tommyboy81]

Originally Posted by mj3k

Just click on my HT gallery under my Avatar and you'll see my HT/Bluray computer build folder at the top along with my other ht folder's...

Cool Master HAF or HAF X? I see you also have the screen that controls the fans. Does it really work? I thought about getting it but have read alot of mixed customer reviews. Most negative.

[tommyboy81]

Originally Posted by BLindsay

and you really only need multiple cards for us crazy folks running triple screens (or maybe 2560x1600 res)

*in bold* One day we'll have tv's and bluray players (and discs) that will have that.

My thing is if you have a MB that has 3 slots is there a problem getting that last card to fit? Looks like on most the 2nd and 3rd connection are to close to each other.

[BLindsay]

Originally Posted by tommyboy81

*in bold* One day we'll have tv's and bluray players (and discs) that will have that.

My thing is if you have a MB that has 3 slots is there a problem getting that last card to fit? Looks like on most the 2nd and 3rd connection are to close to each other.

once i have the money together my new video cards will be all watercooled, and one additional benefit is the waterblock takes up a lot less room then the standard cooler so them being close together becomes less of an issue. But without watercooling if you have them sandwiched up against each other they work, but they sure do get hot!

my current resolution is 5760x1080 but i might try 3240x1920 soon

[tommyboy81]

Originally Posted by BLindsay

once i have the money together my new video cards will be all watercooled, and one additional benefit is the waterblock takes up a lot less room then the standard cooler so them being close together becomes less of an issue. But without watercooling if you have them sandwiched up against each other they work, but they sure do get hot!

my current resolution is 5760x1080 but i might try 3240x1920 soon

do you overclock? Once I put mine together I'll be scared too. lol

[mj3k]

The fan controller works really well. I have had no issues or complaints. I heard bad and good review's on the NZXT fan controller and I just had to find out for myself. and like I said it's all good and maybe the bad ones are just lemons. Just make sure you buy fans with 3-wires instead of 2, because if you buy the 2-wire ones it won't work(it will, but there won't be speed control with the 2-wire ones). Other than that on a high note "have fun building you HTPC"...

[tommyboy81]

Originally Posted by mj3k

The fan controller works really well. I have had no issues or complaints. I heard bad and good review's on the NZXT fan controller and I just had to find out for myself. and like I said it's all good and maybe the bad ones are just lemons. Just make sure you buy fans with 3-wires instead of 2, because if you buy the 2-wire ones it won't work(it will, but there won't be speed control with the 2-wire ones). Other than that on a high note "have fun building you HTPC"...

thanks. It's going to take a couple of months. Right now all i have is the i7 2600k. It was only $10 more than the 2600 so I couldn't resist. The case I'm looking at is the Cooler Master HAF. Don't know the number but its the $139 one. It has 3 or 4 fans but don't know the wiring.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-230-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-160-_-Product

Would love to have the Cooler Master Scout but I've read the big graphics cards won't fit.

Did have my eye on the Thremalake VH6000 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133056

[Fritz]

@mj3k: Can you point me in the direction of a few different video cards that in your opinion would be good for Blu-ray playback?

[mj3k]

Fritz, the Nvidia evga 460($149.99 at Tigerdirect.com) is plenty and has a HDMI out and the Bluray software comes with your BR player( I use Lite-on ) but it's up to you which one you buy or like...Tommyboy I think your all right, because I have the HAF and believe the 3 fans( I replaced because 2 don't have light's ) are 3-wires..but if not or you want more fans: I bought all my fans and custom wiring from http://www.frozencpu.com ...excellant service and a great variety to choose from...and if you need advice or help with your build you guy's could always message me anytime...Rock On..

[BLindsay]

Originally Posted by tommyboy81

do you overclock? Once I put mine together I'll be scared too. lol

yeah stock my i7 920 is 2.66ghz and i have it running at 4.2 right now, not a bad increase eh?