What do I need/want for my Media Server?

[IntelLoyalist]

I have to confess...

The last "high end" video card I bought was an ATI AIW 9800 PRO... For an AGP slot of all things.

So I have no idea what's what now.


I am building a Media Server that is such ridiculous overkill that I may have to actually start playing video games other than Solitaire.

Short version:
P5Q3 Deluxe with a 9560 Quad Core and 4GB (2 x 2GB) of Corsair DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel memory. I'm also using two Samsung 2.5" 32GB SATA 3.0gb/s SSD's in a RAID1 (Possibly a RAID0 if enough people tell me that it's a good idea.) for the OS and the Apps and a half-dozen Western Digital 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drives in a RAID5 array for storage.

See what I mean by ridiculous overkill?

Anyway, I need a video capability that will drive a 55-60 inch Plasma TV at full 1080p and I don't want to just barely get the job done; I want to get it done COMFORTABLY. And when I said I might actually have to take up modern video gaming...? I really might. So it should work well for that.



Now...

This board supports ATI Crossfire, whatever the hell THAT is. I have no idea if this is desirable or not; which is why I'm asking for help.

I also need at LEAST one TV Tuner card, preferably two.

I need advice here, so that I can make the best choice possible.

So...

HELP!!!!

[Quizno]

well, these days theres no just squeaking by when it comes to HD decoding. you can buy a $30 card(hd3450) that will do 1080p with ease. but if you want gaming performance as well, then it will cost a bit more. judging by your build so far, im thinking money is not a concern. and since you have a crossfire motherbaord i would go with ATI. if you just want a card that can handle most games well, but nothing crazy i would say pick up a HD3870(about $150). if you want the latest and greatest, then you can get a HD4870($250-300) or a HD4870x2($550-600). and if you wanna go crazy, you can double up whatever card you get and run crossfire(2 or more cards running in unison for better performance).

any route you choose, from $30-$1200 will do HD just fine. its up to you as to how much gaming horsepower you want or need and how much you want to spend.

[IntelLoyalist]

Quizno -

If the most important thing to me is a truly beautiful picture when I'm watching a movie, and i want a product that will NOT fail to deliver... PERIOD...

What would be the level at which you would say: "Buy nothing less than this..." ?

[LandShark]

well, it seems like it's more like a ultimate do everything rig more than just a media server.......

anyway, to game on your 55"-60" HDTV, you will be very comfortable with any of the latest mid-highend card (highend if want more future proof). remember no matter how big is your screen size (even if your screen is as big or even bigger than mine, 100"!), your max resolution that you'll be gaming is still 1980x1080 regardless the actually size of the screen! and at this resolution, most current single highend card will do you fine! if you want better future proof, than you can do corssfire (which mean you run 2 ATI card w/in the same rig).

cards I would suggest: nvidia GTX280/GTX260/9800GTX/9800X2, ati 4870/4870X2. I normally would NOT recommend any of these card for HTPC purpose! high power draw = hot = noisy!! but it seems like you want an ultimate rig, then any of these will do you fine and will offer nice hardware accleration of any video codec. (even tho you don't really need it anyway with your Q9560)

[IntelLoyalist]

Yeah, I do have a bit of a problem reigning myself in sometimes.

Based on the research I have been doing, it appears that a nice mid-range Radeon 4000 series card in crossfire mode will more than get the job done.

Am I thinking correctly here?

[1ad7]

Honestly I would get a 4870 and call it a day. top of the line single card and if need be down the road you can get another. The 4870x2 gets hot and is loud, if noise isnt a issue at all I would go that route, this way down the line you can grab another and have more hp than youll need with any modern game.

If its going to be audible at all you might want to look at the most a 4870 if not a 4850 it all depends on location. These high end cards can be very loud.

[hellzarmy]

considering this guy is now banned, i guess its pointless to help out any further.

to bad too, as i still have a pair of 4850 cards i am trying to get rid of so i can pick up a 4870 card to CF.

was going to see if he would have been interested