Choosing between two HTPC Video Cards

[zillion]

I am deciding between two cards for my quiet media center PC.. I already have access to the Asus and am fine with it if it does all I need.

ASUS GeForce GT 240 ENGT240/DI/1GD3/A Video Card

XFX Radeon HD 5670 HD-567X-YNF3 Video Card with Eyefinity

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%2060000 7321%20600007605%20600007793&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&Co mpareItemList=48|14-150-504^14-150-504-TS%2C14-121-353^14-121-353-TS


Ideally, I'd like to be able to:

1. have playback of HD/Bluray content...decode the HD codecs.
2. HDCP
3. HDMI with HDMI audio (I think both cards will do this)
4. No power cable (and no fan or at least a QUIET fan)
5. Fully compatible with WinMCE2005 32bit and Win 7ult 64

I don't do heavy gaming and much prefer MAME and big movie files/steaming.

QUESTION: DirectX 10.1 vs. DirectX 11:
I know XP can't handle DX11, but the cards would still be compatible even if it's like a Ferrari in 3rd gear, yes?

The advantages of the XFX is lifetime warranty, not to mention speed specs. I don't know which one is quieter. ATI MAY work better with my AMD CPU (always heard that AMD/ATI pair and then INTEL/NVIDIA)...

So, it looks like the XFX may be better but will both do all on my numerical checklist? Thanks.

[Midknyte]

XP can't even do DX10, so it's a moot point. The cards can run DX9 just fine.

I think the 5670 benches higher than the GT240. I know you said you don't do much gaming, but it's hard to quantitatively compare them otherwise.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...6990,2879.html

[zillion]

Ok, so both cards will work in XP, just running with DX9

will the ASUS do the rest on the list pretty well?

[Midknyte]

According to the specs it should, but I haven't actually run that specific card. You might want to look for reviews. Maybe someone who actually has that card (or similar) will chime in.