I recently upgraded my HTPC from a crappy PC speaker setup to a full 7.1 receiver + decent speakers. Unfortunately the GTX 260 can't do HDMI audio directly; it has to go though SPDIF... So to get the best quality audio that's getting replaced... In my gaming system, I have a GTX 580, which does do HDMI audio correctly. So, as I see it, I have three options:
1: Upgrade the gaming system with a 670 or the ATI equivalent (?), then put the 580 in the HTPC.
2: Upgrade the HTPC with a cheap card that can still do accelerated video & full audio over HDMI; I haven't looked at the low end in a while, so I don't really know what’s good there...
3: Wait. GK110 or a new southern island card may make a gaming system upgrade more worthwhile?
What would you do?