ATI 3870/3805 vs 800GT and HDMI capability

Hi

I want to build a HTPC for HDTV and Gaming, and would like to know
what direction I should go!
Firstly I know the ATI 3850/3870 cards do have the capability to
stream HDMI (5.1 ch sound). The question I have is - If I want to use
a Sound Blaster Card instead of the Graphics card sound (better
quality), how do I connect it to my TV. Can I connect an HDMI cable to
the Graphics card, but disable the sound and then use the sound from
the Sound Blaster card.

or

Should I go with the 8800GT and then use the Sound Blaster card.

Any help will be greatly appreciated

Regards

Dennis

Thats what I do. HDMI from an HD3870 Crossfire setup, and the sound from an
Auzentech Audigy over optical. Hi Def movies are great! The cable I use is a
DVI to HDMI one, I have tried a HDTV to HDTV cable as ATI supplies a fancy
connector, but it doesn't display the desktop at full resolution. My monitor
is 1920x1200, and I can display 1080p Hi Def video. I am sorry, but I cannot
advise you on Nvidia cards, but HD-DVD runs smooth on my 3870 crossfire
setup. Hope this helps.

On Feb 11, 1:47*pm, "Carl" wrote:
Thats what I do. HDMI from an HD3870 Crossfire setup, and the sound from an
Auzentech Audigy over optical. Hi Def movies are great! The cable I use is a
DVI to HDMI one, I have tried a HDTV to HDTV cable as ATI supplies a fancy
connector, but it doesn't display the desktop at full resolution. My monitor
is 1920x1200, and I can display 1080p Hi Def video. I am sorry, but I cannot
advise you on Nvidia cards, but HD-DVD runs smooth on my 3870 crossfire
setup. Hope this helps.

Hi Carl,

Thanks for the info. Just one more thing - I guess that if you take
DVI to HDMI and then sound from the Sound Blaster Card that you will
have to plug the sound into a Surround Sound device and that the TV
speakers will not work?