Better performance with dedicated graphics card ?

[laffinet]

Hi !

I'm currently running Mythbuntu with an onboard graphics adapter (Asus M2N68-VM with geforce series 7).

Performance is pretty good, but OSD still causes stutter. I played with different profiles but nothing really helped.

Question: will a dedicated graphics card improve the performance ?

Thanks.

[PurposeOfReason]

Usually. Some boards will top out the cheaper cards out there, but you'd know if you had one of them, and you don't. I'd recomment either a 8800gt as they are getting dirt cheap, but if you are using a htpc, then the real solution is going to be some ATI card that is designed for HD playback. Those typically do well with video, even in linux, due to their built in decoder.

[mpsii]

Go find an nVidia 8 or 9 series card on the cheap that will fit your board. Key point - stay away from anything labeled "turbo graphics" or turbo anything. Most of those are nVidia's hybrid cards that have some memory onboard like a dedicated card, but also steal some system RAM to make up for lack of decent design.

[laffinet]

Anything you can recommend on the ATI front ?

[PurposeOfReason]

Anything you can recommend on the ATI front ?
It'd help to know what you really need/want. I'm getting this little bugger for my new computer. >$400 total and all in a 9"x8"x7" box. Only needs to run basic desktop stuff with openbox and 1080p playback. With all that is going in I'd like to see Dell or anyone beat it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102757

[laffinet]

Hm. nvidia or ATI ?

Any thoughts on this (http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Products/ProductsDetail.aspx?DetailID=921&CategoryID=5&DetailName=Feature&MenuID=54&LanID=0)model ? Is there much point going to the slightly more expensive asus version (http://au.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=2&l2=6&l3=790&l4=0&model=2678&modelmenu=1)? Noise ? Reliability ? Heat ?

As far as I can tell the 8000 series doesn't have HDMI, so I don't want to go with that.

Or this (http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/VGA/Products_Overview.aspx?ProductID=2924)ATI ? Driver support ? From what I hear most people recommend nvidia, even though that means closed source drivers. If it means better support I'd go closed source.

[PurposeOfReason]

The two Nvidia are different. The ASUS has HDMI while the other does not. That being said, a dvi to hdmi cable will give the same results of a hdmi to hdmi. Asus is generally better with linux though nvidia would supply drivers so I doubt it would matter.

As far as ATI goes, they are really working on opening everything up. I'd give it six months for darn good drivers. That particular model beats the nvida decently. I didn't really chech prices but I'd pay about $15 more for the ati.

EDIT - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150335
That kills the nvidia ones and is the same model you were looking at. A quick check and XFX started supporting ATI a few weeks ago. They are a very reliable brand. I might grab that one instead as it is quite strong for what it is and is passive cooling.

[laffinet]

The two Nvidia are different. The ASUS has HDMI while the other does not.

Oops, didn't notice that. Should read the description properly...:)

I hear what you're saying about ATI and opening up. I still feel a bit uneasy about support etc. There's just so much talk out there about linux and ATI...
Plus I'd buy that card to get rid of a problem (performance) so I don't want to spend money to buy more problems.

Ah, what to do...?!?

[PurposeOfReason]

Well really what are you wanting out of the card? Be as specific as you can. Price range, features, what you need in the very most demanding situation and how often that occurs.

[laffinet]

Thanks for sticking with me and my somewhat erratic thread.

What bugs me about my current set up really is the audio/video stutter during live tv when the OSD comes up (eg volume, program information).

As for the card: relatively cheap (AUD50-AUD70), get rid of the stutter, PCIe, HDMI out, good linux support, low noise (might be a problem with cheap)

[PurposeOfReason]

ATI has a much larger market for lower end cards. Of the two brands, I picked one of each.
NVIDIA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500093
ATI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102806

Neither has HDMI, if you need that then this is your best bet.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125232
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121259