Video card help.

[kronos6948]

Just got a new 22" monitor for my aging, yet still powerful computer. Figured I'd DL some real HD (1080p) content to see how it looks on the monitor, and noticed that playback stutters a bit. I figured it was my video card, since I've never had anything larger than a 19" screen.

Currently, I'm using an ATI Radeon X300/X550/X1050 series card.

Here's the specs:

128 MB memory
Core Clock 324MHz
Memory Clock 196MHz

I've never been in the market to get a new memory card, but by today's standards, this card is very outdated.

Now, I'm not a hardcore gamer, but I definitely need something to play HD video, and I don't have a lot of money to part with. Any suggestions?

[tehboris]

What player did you use to play the video?

[kronos6948]

What player did you use to play the video?

Quicktime. I basically just downloaded a QT trailer to see it in HD.

Edited to add:

The stutter isn't like a normal stutter with the image and sound stopping and starting, it's more along the lines of a flip-book style of stutter, i.e., like a slow frame rate or something.

[shinigami052]

AGP or PCI-e?

[kronos6948]

PCI Express x 16

[tehboris]

You should try a different media player. QuiteTime uses a strange method of rendering on Windows. Additionally, I'd suspect the CPU more than the graphics card.

[kronos6948]

Really? I have a 3.2GHz P4. I didn't think I'd need anything faster than that.

[darknessgp]

You should try a different media player. QuiteTime uses a strange method of rendering on Windows. Additionally, I'd suspect the CPU more than the graphics card.

agreed, and tag along with that about pulling from the HDD, it might just barely be slow. But yea, I'd venture that the main culprit is Quicktime.

[tehboris]

Really? I have a 3.2GHz P4. I didn't think I'd need anything faster than that.

The first HD-DVD player had a 2.5GHz P4, so your computer is only just above that. Baring in mind that QuiteTime has a strange way of rendering which will probably add much overhead to the processing of the video.

Also, the first HD-DVD player was running Linux (probably just the kernel with very little operating system), if you have windows (particularly if it's windows as in lots of unnecessary processes running in the back ground like most computers that run windows), there is even further over head.

[kronos6948]

Ok. I'm downloading a WMV HD 1080p trailer now. Checked my task manager to make sure that nothing was really using my CPU up. So far, the only thing running the CPU is the System Idle Process...I will give you guys an update after watching the HD WMV.

I appreciate all your help.

[shinigami052]

I too suspect quicktime to be the problem.

If, however, you are looking to get a new videocard, I'd suggest one of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048+50012156+1069609641&name=Palit+Multimedia+Inc

All are great choices. I chose Palit because they're a "new" company in the states but they are the largest worldwide card manufacturer. I'm glad they've finally came to the U.S. so we can get a piece of the action as well.

Their cards are cheap only in price. The build quality is superb. The cards I lised for you range anywhere from $30 to $120. It's a great range of cards (most if not all with DX10 support) to help you enjoy your computer a little bit more.

I'd suggest you try a different video player (WinVNC or GOM Player or something). If that doesn't help, look into getting a new card (it's the next cheapest thing you can try). If that doesn't work look at a new CPU. Maybe defrag your system as well.

[kronos6948]

Update:

You guys were right about it being Quicktime. WMV HD plays just fine.

You saved me some cash.

Very muchly appreciated!