What's minimum graphics card for true 1080P performance?

[Rob00GT]

OK, I maybe should ask this question in the Hardware forum but I'm hoping that users of HDTV's around here can share their experience. I'm looking to hook a small form factor pc up to a 1080P HDTV to use for playing movies, DVR, etc. (all the normal stuff) but also want to use it for gaming in the living room. So the real question is, is a high end (translation = expensive) graphics card needed to display modern games in HD resolution at acceptable frame rates?

The PC will be plugged directly into the HDTV's VGA port (D-sub 15 pin) and resolution in Windows set at 1920x1080. The HDTV is a Samsung HL-R6178W if it makes any difference.

[jondercik]

normal monitor display is already HD I believe. To get decent frame rates you will need a decent card but not top of the line.

Jim