Purchasing a new video card

[Ezduzit]

I'm in the market for my first video card and I'm hoping someone
can give me some tips on which way to go. There is such an array
of cards out there these days that its hard to figure anything out
if you don't know diddly-squat about vid cards in the first place.
Searching the Net and reading reviews did nothing to clear the air.

First off, I am not a gamer, don't wanna be a gamer, ain't never gonna be a gamer ...
but I want a quality card that will perform well and easily get me thru the day.

My local trusted vendor has sent me the following list of cards to consider but
instead of going eeny-meeny-miney-mo, I thought I would ask here for advice.

Here they are (prices in Canadian funds):

ASUS V9520 GFX-5200 MAGIC 128M, DDR, AGP8X, TV-OUT (127.00)

ASUS RADEON 9600SE 128MB DDR, AGP8X, DVI, TV-OUT (196.00)

CP ATI RDN9200 128MB DDR AGP8X, DVI, TV-OUT (123.00)

GIGABYTE ATI RADEON 9600 PRO, 128MB,TV-OUT, DVI PORT (255.00)

MSI GFX FX5200-VTD128, VIVO, AGP8X DDR, DVI, TV-OUT (166.00)

My system is as follows:

Custom Built
XPPro/Sp1/DirectX 9b
P4 - 2.4Ghz
Giga-byte GA-8GEM667
760mb 2700/333 DDR
2 x 40Gb Maxtor (Lian Lee RH-27 bay)
1 x 60Gb Maxtor ( " )
1 x 80Gb Maxtor ( " )
LiteOn 52x24x52 CDRW
Asus 52x CDRom
Audigy 5.1 Platinum
Altec-Lansing ACS45
350w PowerMan PS
CyberPower 650SL UPS

I'd like to keep the price under $200 unless there is a real advantage to spending more.

Any thoughts gratefully accepted.

[Webshark2000]

You said you're not a gamer. That's great, because even a cheap video card will work fine for you. It all depends on exactly what you'll be doing with your computer. If you're no gamer, you really don't need anything over a 32mb video card. Unless, of course, you're going to be editing video, or running some other graphics-heavy programs.

Most computers purchased retail (i.e. Wal-mart, Staples, Circuit City, etc) will have integrated graphics cards (video built into the motherboard). The companies (such as Compaq, HP, Sony, E-machines) do this to lower cost, and not have to fool with installing a separate video card. This is fine for most people, like you, who aren't gamers and just use their computers for internet, documents, cd-burning, etc. But this does greatly reduce video power and shares the video memory from the system memory, slowing down computing power.

Your rig is great, with a 2.4Ghz CPU and 760mb RAM, it's a kick-butt system and way overkill for most applications. In fact, it would make a pretty good gaming system at the moment.

I would suggest the Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 card (usually around $99). It will have the newer graphics capabilities which improves DVD quality (if you watch DVDs on your computer) and works well with DirectX 9.0. You really don't need anything even this good, but it will ensure you won't need a new one for a long time.

If you're looking for something a little less than that go with either a Radeon or other Nvidia card with 64mb RAM. I would go with the AGP version either way if you have an AGP slot in your computer. Otherwise you'll have to go with a PCI card. Not a huge difference (especially for your application), but there is increased performance.

Hope that helps.

[Ezduzit]

Yes, this is very helpful indeed. Thank you.

Although I'm not a gamer I still like a high-performance rig. I use PhotoShop regularly and although I don't have
DVD nor currently edit video, I'd like to keep an eye on the future so that I have those capabilities should the need
arise. I'd rather lean towards overkill than settle for middle-of-the-road.

I may even be changing the mb/cpu in the near future and having a good vid card would mean I wouldn't have to settle
for a mb with onboard components. With this in mind, I'm wondering if I would be farther ahead by getting a more
powerful vid card (such as the Asus 9600SE)? Its priced within my budget and even though its much more than I currently
require, it will provide me with alot of room to grow.

My mb has a nice little AGP slot just waiting for the right card.

Thanks again!

[Dr.Gibbs]

If you're not a gamer, you probably shouldn't spend more than about $100 on a video card. Really, even that's overkill.

I've always been one to watch DVD's on my TV, but if you want to watch them on your computer, you'll need a halfway decent card. That's not to say it needs a lot of RAM or processing power -- it just has to produce a good picture.

Software that works in 2D, such as Photoshop and video editing, has very little or nothing to do with your video card. It's a common misconception -- I have a lot of people telling me they need high-end cards because they do graphic work. In truth, video cards pretty much only make a difference in 3D. Unless you play games or do any 3D animation, you don't need a very powerful card.

[SuperSparks]

Here's an article that you may find helpful:

http://www17.tomshardware.com/graphi...714/index.html

[Ezduzit]

Thank you gentlemen.

Dr.Gibbs you said, "video cards pretty much only make a difference in 3D" and this is maybe where my biggest
misconception rests. It has always been my understanding that ~any~ video card will improve the overall per-
formance of a system by virtue of the fact that the gpu handles all the graphics (2D & 3D) taking the strain
(however small) off the rest of the system. Is this performance boost so negligible and intangible that it
isn't really worth pursuing (or spending a couple of bucks on), particularly if your computing is done almost entirely
in the 2D realm?

Video cards really are curious little gizmos, aren't they? LOL

SuperSparks, thanks for the link -- very useful!

[Dr.Gibbs]

The 3D engines for games like Quake or Unreal take an enormous amount of processing. Most of this processing is handled by the GPU, and the textures are stored in the card's memory. A faster, bigger card will make a huge difference here.

In Windows, nearly everything is handled by your CPU and main RAM. When you open a 100 MB image in Photoshop, that image is being stored in your RAM, not in your video card's memory. The video card does little more than process the flat, 1024x768 image that's sent to it. Some things -- such as DVD's -- might be handled by the card, but they take such a small amount of processing to produce that any card made in the last few years can handle them perfectly well.

Having no card at all (integrated video) takes away some of your RAM for video processing. In this case, adding a card can make a difference -- but it doesn't have to be a fast one

[Ezduzit]

Gotcha.

And thanks for the education.

Now I'm off ... to spend a little hard-earned cash.

[steve_83]

If you're not a gamer Good for You!

My gaming obsession in video cards has cost me a bundle -- worth every penny though.

Right now I'm runnin an ATI 9800, 256mb -- but if you Don't game, you don't need that.

I have used several -- Voodoo, the cheap knock-off's of Nvidia and ATI, Asus, etc.

I highly recommend the ATI 9600. (not a knock off of the ATI or Nvidia -- cause you won't get any support without additional charges)

I say that because the way the gaming business is going, in a year I'll probably be using a 512, or 1024 true 3D card,and you'll wish you spent a few $$ more for at least a 128mb.

Best prices I can find new:
http://techbargains.pricegrabber.com...8eeccd976dcc23

Or, if you're a gambler - try ebay, But video cards are one of the biggest scam going there.
I got totally burned (my only times twice) on video cards there.

Good Luck & try a few games -- you might be surprised!

I never thought in a Hundred Years I'd enjoy the pure delight of chucking knives into opponents faces online.

[Ezduzit]

Thanks for the comments, steve83.

I apologize for not posting back with my final decision after receiving so much great advice.

In the end I purchased the Asus 9600Pro w/128mb DDR -- even though a lesser card would probably haveserved me well most times. (We have cars that will go 160mph but we spend most of our time sitting in traffic, don't we? hehehe) I'm really happy with the choice I made. The card installed flawlessly and I could see the effect immediately -- I don't think my eyes were playing tricks on me but everything looked sharper and crisper.

As for games and gaming ... hey, I luv you guys 'cos you are the ones who are basically driving the industry onward and upward. Since I don't have a combative bone in my ol' body I can't see me ever getting into most games ... though there is no doubt I would enjoy the enviroment of a 3D game. If you can recommend a mouse-driven 'game' that I could enjoy for the graphics and not so much for the blood splatter (LOL) I would certainly give it a look.

I did pull out an older 3D rollercoaster ride that I had kicking about ... and I swear my stomach did a couple of flips! Great stuff!

The new card should go nicely with the upgrades I am planning to do in the next few weeks. Needless to say, you'll be hearing from me soon for some more great advice.

[steve_83]

I'm a first person shooter type of gamer.

+ with most of those, you get online "duals" with other players.

I have about "0" experience with the fancy, smacy futuristic type games.
Unreal 2003 has dropped substantilly in price -- and will give you some idea of what your card can do : Awesome Graphics!

If you want the WWII mission type games that I use all the time -- post back.
As far as the blood splatter -- most of those are rated M.
Flight simulators are fun, but they almost require a joystick, wheel type inut device, etc.

Then - there are those that (my opinion) go WAY over the edge -- Grand TheftAuto/Vice City being one -- unless you like missions where you get a Hooker, steal her crack & rob your $$ back. (bleeck)

I can tell you this: the gaming community is REALLY looking forward to DOOM -- which is supposed to stretch your graphics to the max. Out sometime this fall (right!) -- obviously they missed, or you'd be seeing it for Xmas.

Welcome to the world of Awesome graphics & there's not a thing wrong with Asus.

Have fun

[J A L]

Not a gamer?? Then here is the ultimate card for fun and good graphics. But you will never play any of todays games on it! 3DFX 3500 AGP TV card. People fell in love with this card so much that even after 3DFX got bought out. People wrote there own drivers and there are even XP drivers available! 3DFX was bought out by NVidia long tima ago. These cards show up on Ebay Every Week. I wouldn't pay more than 25 bucks for one though!

It has a TV tuner built in
Video Capture
Radio tuner Built In
Tv/Vcr out Featuring both composite and svideo inputs and outputs.

This card was built for Video Editing and Multimedia!

It is only a 16 meg card but has decent speed for about everything except games.

There are drivers available for everything microsoft 95B and up except NT.

I love these cards for non gamers!

[Parallax]

Originally posted by J A L
Not a gamer?? Then here is the ultimate card for fun and good graphics. But you will never play any of todays games on it! 3DFX 3500 AGP TV card. People fell in love with this card so much that even after 3DFX got bought out. People wrote there own drivers and there are even XP drivers available! 3DFX was bought out by NVidia long tima ago. These cards show up on Ebay Every Week. I wouldn't pay more than 25 bucks for one though!

It has a TV tuner built in
Video Capture
Radio tuner Built In
Tv/Vcr out Featuring both composite and svideo inputs and outputs.

This card was built for Video Editing and Multimedia!

It is only a 16 meg card but has decent speed for about everything except games.

There are drivers available for everything microsoft 95B and up except NT.

I love these cards for non gamers!

I wish I knew this a month or two ago when I had to get a new video card! I got a new Gigabyte mobo and it didn't support the 2x AGP port that my old card needed, so I ended up having to go around town and spend more than I wanted and got an ATI Raedon 64MB. I don't play games and it's way overkill

[featherkids]

I like the tried and true games of yesteryear. So what would be a good video card for atari arcade games or Links, Scrabble, Frogger, Cubis, Jeopardy, DXBall? You know...for us mellower gamers.

[MaFia JaK]

dont mean to use this as my thread but what is THE BEST card out on the market right now, i am a hardcore gamer and with christams coming i will have money so i was just wondering what the best out there is probably gonna be a radeon or nvidia but which is better i only have 4x AGP but will i still get more out of a lets say 256mb card running at 4xagp than a 128mb running at 4x agp