Best HDMI PCI VIdeo Cards for HTPC 2011 - 2012

This hub will feature only Pci-express or low profile graphics cards with HDMI ports. These are perfect if you want to build a budget computer to use with your HDTV or entertainment system. The HDMI ports make hooking your media center computer as simple as plugging in an HDMI cord from your computer into your HDTV. Unlike the old days where you had use a splitter, the HDMI cord comes complete with sound, so once you have installed your PCI Video card, you are good to go.

Any HDMI dedicated graphics card should work fine with your media center computer so the trick is to find one that is rated well for the least amount of money.

My intention with this hub is pure convenience. I've listed the best rated HDMI PCI-E Cards for 2011 to the right and put them in order of price. Although price may fluctuate a bit, my recommendation for a pure media center is to go with whatever card to the right is the cheapest. That may sound cliche, but since I've only listed well-known name brand cards that are highly rated, I can say that with confidence.

If you want a card that you can use as a media center card as well as do some basic gaming (including WoW and any games that are more than a year old) as well as some video editing, then go with the EVGA nVidia GeForce GT 220 1 GB DDR3 DVI/HDMI PCI-Express Video Card. For under 59.99 it won't break your wallet and will give you some additional flexibility. It's also the top rated budget video card and bestselling graphics card on Amazon right now.

Manufacturer's Technical Details for the EVGA GeForce GT220 Graphics Card

• PCI Express 2.0
• GeForce GT 220 with 625 MHz core clock
• 1024 MB of DDR3 memory
• 1580 MHz memory clock and 1360 MHz shader clock
• Windows XP, Windows Vista and Open GL 3.1 Support

What consumers are saying about the EVGA GT220 Graphics Card:

"I bought this card to use in my first time build. I have to say, that I am very satisfied with it. I have previously owned the EVGA NVIDIA GeForce 9400GT. I only buy NVIDIA graphics cards from EVGA. I have had no problems. It even comes with a two year warranty, if you register online.... I am not a hard-core gamer. I just play Star Trek Online and Age of Empires III. It can play both those games on maximum settings."

"I'm so impressed with this card, I wish that my last card would of screwed up earlier. no joke. Quiet.. fast..high quality graphics..no fuss (to) set up. I do a lot of video editing/photos and the speed at which I can work has tripled. I wish I had another computer just so I had the reason to buy another one. This card is also so inexpensive, I feel like I ripped them off somehow."

Strictly Media:

If you just want to run movies, then I recommend the Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD4350 PCI-Express video card or the Sapphire Radeon w/ HDMI HD4350 512 MB DDR2 DVI/HDMI PCI-Express Video Card . They are at the perfect price point and ideal for media centers.

In the end find a HDMI PCI Video or graphics card that fits your budget and your needs and you can't go wrong. Hopefully you've found what you are looking for. If not, the feel free to leave me a comment below. If you are building a custom computer, then you can check out more of my hubs in the links below.

Click here for a list of the best gaming video cards.