Nvidia GeForce Go 7950 GTX - capable of Steam streaming + hardware decoding?

Hello,

The 7950 GTX does support PureVideo, but not the full implementation. However, is what it has enough to stream Steam at 1080p, 60 FPS and use hardware decoding? I'm getting mixed answers on this. Someone said the older cards have poor H.264 decoding and it's better to use software decoding with a modern CPU. However, the laptop that the 7950 GTX is in is a Dell XPS M1710, if that makes a difference.

I'm streaming from an Alienware with a 7970m, so getting high FPS in games is not a problem. I want a video card in the streaming laptop to be able to play at 1080p 60 FPS, so will the 7950 GTX get it done?

If not, how about the 9800m?

 

Unfortunately, I don't believe either of those are powerful enough to decode at constant 60 FPS at 1080p. Maybe 30 or 45 FPS, or 60 FPS at 720p. Wouldn't hurt to try though.

Just curious, what CPU are we talking here on the client machine?

I'm guessing you've already seen this chart?

http://www.nvidia.de/docs/CP/11086/PureVideo_Product_Comparison.pdf

 

Yep, I've seen that.

CPU on the client machine would be an Intel Duo Core 2.0 ghz, with 3 gb of DDR2 ram.

The 9800m would be similar specs-wise.

It's weird, though. I'm on a Toshiba Satellite now, and can decode using software decoding at 60 FPS 720p, and this is using an ATI Radeon 3100 integrated chipset with no hardware decoding. So, I would imagine that upgrading to either of these GPUs I quoted in my original post (which would be a pretty big upgrade, no?), it would be able to handle it.

I will probably end up trying with the 7950 GTX if I can find one cheap enough. I really hope it works, that would be a pleasant surprise.

In your opinion what would be the cheapest, oldest card that could handle hardware decoding at 1080p 60 FPS? I'm trying to stay around $250, which is low, I know, but I'm just looking around trying to find a really good deal right now. Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

A good benchmark I've found is that if you can play back one of these YouTube videos at max quality without slowing down or dropping frames, you should be fine: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbsGxdAPhjv9UrLo19pS8teoRKj7funAy

Be sure to turn on the video statistics or have some kind of frame rate counter enabled (FRAPS, MSI AB, etc.) to check for dropped frames.

I would get at least a mid-range 8 series card, and don't pay more than $50 for one. I've seen 8600M/8700M going for as low as $35 on eBay.

But personally, I'd stay away from the entire mobile G86 and G84 lineup as all of them are defective due to the infamous solder issue during manufacturing and are guaranteed to die on you prematurely. I've just had my second straight Quadro FX 1600M (8700M GT) die, and it will be replaced by a G92 Quadro FX 3600M (8800M GTS).

If you get an 8800M/9800M/GTX 200M, definitely don't pay more than $200 for one. I've seen lower-end 8800M cards going for less than a Benjamin on eBay.

The midrange 9 (avoid G84!) and 200M series are fine as well. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your budget and the upgrade options available for your specific notebook. Performance is less of a concern since you won't be playing games locally on the machine, just decoding H.264 video.

But who knows. Maybe the CPU, if it is at least a Core 2 Duo (you weren't clear about this), can decode the 1080p60 stream by itself without any help from the GPU, but I doubt it.

 

The CPU is an Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.00 GHZ.

Is there a list of the g84/g86 cards somewhere I can check out so I know which ones to avoid?

Also, what is the Radeon equivalent to the 9800m GTS, or the 8700m/8800m series?

 

Avoid all G86 and G84 cards in this list:

List of Nvidia graphics processing units - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

List of Nvidia graphics processing units - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I honestly have no idea what the Radeon equivalents are if any. Maybe the Mobility 4800 and 3800 Series?

 

Well, my little experiment failed . Turns out the 7950 GTX can't play any of those linked YouTube videos at 1080p, and it doesn't use hardware decoding for Steam streaming, either.

So, the hunt continues. I will try and find another cheap laptop that has a better GPU and hope it can handle 1080p at 60 FPS...

 

I'm sorry to hear this. It's the reason I suggested a GeForce 8 Series card at the minimum. The network and client hardware requirements aren't low if you want a perfect 1080p60 streaming experience.

 

I have the network requirements I think (150 Mbps network), but I need that client...

Do you think a 9800m would get me closer to 60 FPS at 1080p?

 

You're doing this over wired, right? Because you'll get about half that bandwidth over wireless and I'm not sure it's enough for uninterrupted 1080p60. Not to mention the higher latency, jitter, spikes, and packet loss of wireless.

A 9800M will do a much better job, but make sure it's paired with a decent Core 2 Duo as well.

 

Thanks, octiceps. You've been a huge help so far.

Next step is a laptop with the 9800m in it. Hopefully that gets me where I want to be.

 

I remember buying a very very cheap Asis G50 laptop with Core 2 duo 8400 and 9800m. Maybe you can find something along those lines?

 

Thanks for the recommendation. I have something lined up but I'll post more about it when I have the money together and I've purchased it.

 

I want something with a 17" full HD display, though ... :/ ... seems hard to come by for only a few hundred bucks.