2012-01-22, 10:39
Building an own HTPC from scratch, when do I need a separate graphics card and when can I just use onboard graphics? So far I understand that there are the following reasons:
1. Size. Obviously a mini-ITX case would not work for an additional card because it doesn't have enough space. While I really like these small cases, I also found a lot of nice micro- and macro-ATX cases. So this is not too important for me.
2. Gaming. I am actually not a big gamer. Actually I don't play games at all. But the reason could just be that I never bothered to buy a console and nice TV; computer was always a work machine. Still I enjoyed playing playstation, Xbox, wii, etc. when at friend's places. So the demand for playing games might come one I have a nice TV and HTPC. Still it would not be a top priority since I don't have much time anyways. But to what extent does gaming require a separate card? I like games like Pro Evolution Soccer, Mario Kart, Worms. Do these require an additional card?
3. CPU. I understand a separate graphics card will let the CPU focus on other tasks rather than handling graphics on top. But is this critical for a normal running XBMC? I dont plan to do much processing, converting, etc. on that machine but only want to have a smoothly running HTPC. Any other tasks (converting/ripping, downloading, etc.) would probably run on a media server (NAS).
4. 1080p/BluRay. To what extent is an additional card required to get the best HD video quality?
1. Size. Obviously a mini-ITX case would not work for an additional card because it doesn't have enough space. While I really like these small cases, I also found a lot of nice micro- and macro-ATX cases. So this is not too important for me.
2. Gaming. I am actually not a big gamer. Actually I don't play games at all. But the reason could just be that I never bothered to buy a console and nice TV; computer was always a work machine. Still I enjoyed playing playstation, Xbox, wii, etc. when at friend's places. So the demand for playing games might come one I have a nice TV and HTPC. Still it would not be a top priority since I don't have much time anyways. But to what extent does gaming require a separate card? I like games like Pro Evolution Soccer, Mario Kart, Worms. Do these require an additional card?
3. CPU. I understand a separate graphics card will let the CPU focus on other tasks rather than handling graphics on top. But is this critical for a normal running XBMC? I dont plan to do much processing, converting, etc. on that machine but only want to have a smoothly running HTPC. Any other tasks (converting/ripping, downloading, etc.) would probably run on a media server (NAS).
4. 1080p/BluRay. To what extent is an additional card required to get the best HD video quality?