[dougme57]

My music pc finally died and I just purchased a refurb small form Leveno to repalce a very similar one I had for years. This PC is an Intel core 2 duo 3ghz with 4gb ddr3 ram and runs Windows 7 Home 32 bit. I will be using an external Creative x-fi sound card into my Fubar 2 dac. It has the Intel GMA 4500 integrated graphics.

I will be using JRiver for my player. I will have very few other applications on it as it sits in my audio cabinet to play flac files. It is connected to my projector for occasional surfing and youtube videos. Movies are played through my bluray player. My question is should I install a graphics card to relieve the system and will I notice any improvement in surfing? All games are played through an x-box on the same system. I appreciate any comments.

[srb]

No, the Intel 4500 chipset is more than adequate for your intended use.  Adding a more powerful video card will only increase power consumption and generated heat inside the case.

Steve

[ctviggen]

Although if you want to start upscaling DVDs or playing TV through your PC, then JRiver supports this but you might not achieve the full benefit without a better video card.

[ctviggen]

However, the 4500 may be able to handle most if not all of the JRiver scaling and the like. 

[dougme57]

Thanks guys. I am really not to worried about the video, the integrated card does have a "displayport" out and I got a hdmi converter to send it in proper format to my receiver. I just want the best sound I can get with what I have (I know receiver).

I have a nice Onkyo and the family loves movies and x-box. I would like also to gean opinion on dac. My old Fubar uses a Burr Brown DAC,  but my Onkyo uses 24/192 Burr Browns on all channels. I cannot play hi-rez through my old dac. Would you run optical to the receiver or analogue? Does the receiver use it's dacs with the optical input?