Recommended GPU for Custom Built Home Theater PC/System?

tarbulation

Estimable
Sep 30, 2015
1
0
4,510
Hello all,
I recently built a custom pc for my newly designed and self-installed home theater system. Below are the PC specs if this will help to answer the question I have...

Motherboard: MSI Micro ATX LGA 1150 B85M GAMING
CPU: Intel Core i3-4370 3.8 GHz Desktop Haswell Processor
Ram: Crucial Ballistix Elite 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) CL8
Hard drives: A Crucial 256GB SSD and a WD 7200 drive for storage

Graphics Card: I am currently running a cheapy MSI NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 2048MB GDDR5.
I have video output running hdmi over cat-5e and then splitting off to a projector and LED display. It seems to be comfortably pushing 1080P 60hz to all my displays, however at times the signal may lag a little (this could also be my extenders or DA I understand).
This system is primarily used for watching dvds/bluerays, netflix and youtube off my browser, and light gaming.

Spending no more than around $350, what do you guys recommend in terms of a good graphics card for my uses within this system? Are there particular specs to look for in a GPU when pushing video at distances and to multiple displays?<p>
Side question...I am currently utilizing the 5.1 onboard surround sound through my MB and it seems to be performing OK. Would you guys also recommend a good sound card that could take my system up a notch?

Thanks in advanced for any thoughts and support!!!
 

Calculagator

Estimable
Nov 18, 2014
201
0
5,110
It depends on what you mean by "light" gaming. For watching video, you really can't do any better. The only reason to get a better GPU is if you need better gaming performance.
If you are using a digital output for sound, a sound card won't help either. If you aren't using a digital output, I would recommend you upgrade/switch that.