ATI Radeon 9000 as very low-end HTPC

[BlackBird71]

I want to use this card http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0352098 with a 300 watt power supply, the reason I'm stuck with this sucky deal is I'm getting it in two days and no PCIe slot on computer. I need this with its DVI cable support, question is will it work? Exact computer is a HP Pavilion a744x that has not been upgraded.

SPECS of comp

Hardware
Base processor
Pentium 4 515 2.93 GHz

*
533 MHz Front side bus
*
Socket LGA775

Chipset
Intel 915G
Motherboard

*
Manufacturer: Asus
*
Motherboard Name: PTGD1-LA
*
HP motherboard name: Goldfish-GL8E

Memory
Component Attributes
Memory Installed 512 MB (2 x 256)
Maximum allowed 4 GB (4 x 1GB) requires the replacement of the installed 256 MB DIMMs
Speed supported PC3200 MB/sec
Type 184 pin, DDR SDRAM
DIMM slots Four
Open DIMM slots Two
Hard drive

*
120 GB SATA
*
7200 rpm

DVD+R/+RW (8X) DL
(must use Double-Layer media discs in order to take advantage of the DL technology)
type Attributes
DVD+R Write Once 8X
DVD+RW Rewritable 4X
DVD ROM Read 12X
CD-R Write Once 24X
CD-RW Rewritable 40X
CD-ROM Read 40X
Form Factor 5.25 inches
Storage Capacity 8.5GB
DVD-ROM drive
Maximum speed: 16x
Modem
PCI K56flex data/fax modem
Video graphics
Integrated, no AGP slot
Sound/audio
Integrated High Definition audio

* Realtek ALC 880 chipset
* 8-channels for Full Dolby 5.1/6.1/7.1 surround sound support with Dolby Pro Logic IIx

Network (LAN)
Integrated 10/100Base-T networking interface
Power Supply

*
AC input voltage (47-63Hz):
o 100-127V/8A
o 200-240V/4A
* DC output wattage: 300 Watts

Memory card reader

* USB interface
* Supports the following cards:
o Compact Flash I
o Compact Flash II
o SmartMedia
o Memory Stick
o Memory Stick Pro
o MultiMediaCard
o Secure Digital (SD)
o Micro Drive
o XD Picture Card (xD = extreme digital)

 

[rwpritchett]

The card you linked is old... and I mean REALLY old. 64MB memory... that takes me back about a decade. If you really must invest in a PCI video card for this old system, at least get something more modern, and with more memory. Go to www.newegg.com and look at their selection of PCI video cards. You could get a 8400GS or 9400GT/9500GT which would be much better. There are even some HIS cards from the HD4xxx and HD5xxx series on newegg.

 

[jimmysmitty]

I wouldn't use a ATI 9000 series since it wont support HDCP.

I would get a low profile HD4K series.

 

[wa1]

Yeah, that's a difficult situation for you since your PC doesn't support PCIE card.
Only support AGP card, right?
You will better with HD4xxx series for HTPC, but HD4xxx AGP series are pretty expensive.

 

[BlackBird71]

Best answer selected by BlackBird71.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey