[Nordo]

Hi
My system :-
Computer
CPU - Intel core i3 2120
Graphics - integrated Intel HD Graphics 2000 ( Max Res 1366 x 768)
Windows 10 - 64 bit
A/V Receiver
Denon AVR-X1500H
Projector
Epson EMP-TW2000 (Max Res with HDMI input 1920 x1080)
Kodi
Krypton 17.6 with Estuary
Video Files
various, but mostly saved as 1080p.
I also have heaps of home videos (not sure of their resolution) and photos.
Connections
All connections are HDMI.

As can be seen from my setup, my weak link appears to be the integrated graphics in my old pc.

My questions are :-
1. Should I instal a graphics card ? Or should the whole pc be upgraded.
I can get a Nvidia GeForce GT 430 very cheap, which can go up to 2560 x 1600.
At this stage, I have no intention of going 4K or playing games.

2. While trying to improve my graphics, should I be looking at software players such as madVR, etc. integrated into Kodi?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Klojum]

integrated Intel HD Graphics 2000 ( Max Res 1366 x 768)

I think Intel HD 2000 can easily do 1080p aka FullHD graphics. If your computer is a laptop, does it have a HDMI port for an external monitor? If so, it should be 1080p output video capable. Perhaps you have a 1366x768 monitor currently attached to your PC, but the Intel GPU can do 1080p in 8-bit video just fine. Re-check your video settings in Windows.

As per specifictations:

various, but mostly saved as 1080p.
I also have heaps of home videos (not sure of their resolution) and photos.

Intel HD 2000 should do your 1080p graphics just fine, if they are in h.264 format. If you have videos in h.265/hevc format, it could become a different matter.

Should I instal a graphics card ? Or should the whole pc be upgraded.

For videos of 1080p? Nope.

I can get a Nvidia GeForce GT 430 very cheap, which can go up to 2560 x 1600.

Your HD 2000 gpu can do that resolution too. But, do you also have a TV screen or monitor that can display the videos that resolution? Not likely, so forget about it.

[Nordo]

Hi Klojum
Thanks so much for the quick and informative reply.
I have an old monitor connected to the pc for maintenance work, but also have the pc connected to my projector via the A/V receiver using HDMI.
I thought accessing the "Graphic Properties" via the monitor would give me the properties of the graphics engine, not the limitations of the monitor.

I've just downloaded the M/B's manual (Gigabyte H67MA-D2H), and according to the manual, the onboard graphics can go up to 1920 x 1200, via the HDMI port.
So it should definitely do the 1920 x 1080 I'm after.

Thanks again.

[Nordo]

@ moderator
I tried to edit my post above, but the Edit button doesn't appear to work.