Best Integrated graphics card to buy -G965/ATI ???

[Vipulbatta]

Is Intel G965 a good option for Integrated graphics?
Planning to use the PC to play games (not high end titles) like NFS-Most Wanted, Doom, Quake, Serious Sam etc....
Also, to watch hi-Def DVDs with an HDMI card plugged into SDVO..
How good are the gfx drivers for this card?

The system config I am looking for is

E6600, Core2Duo
G965
1 GB DDR2 667
2x120 GB HDD

Do you think this is a good config? I have not heard much about AMD/ATI chipsets... How good are they?

 

[chief5286]

I can't comment on the quality of integrated graphics for gaming, except to say that everything i've read points to the fact that a separate GPU generally performs much, much better.


I did want to point out the benefits of the newer midrange nVidia GPUs and the Ati HD2900XT for HD Video playback. These new cards offload most of the processing load for HD playback onto the GPU, and frees up the CPU for other tasks. All reports point to these cards being the way to go if you're serious about HD playback from your PC. Ati has not released its midrange GPUs yet, but the entire family, from what I understand, allows for HDMI connections to be used. Plus, any of these cards will likely you give you a much better gaming experience than integrated graphics.

Just another consideration.

 

[shargrath]

I don't think any current integrated video will play any of those games with out frame rate problems in congested areas.
How about a 7300GT or 7600GT from newegg?

7300GT $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130026

7600GT $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062

Im not familiar with intel chipsets why don't you post your full specs for your new computer and we can try to save you a bit?

 

[yakyb]

take a look at the 690g series for HDMI output also there onboard gpu is the best out there

there a loads of reviews around for it

if i remember correctly it plays doom 3 @ 20fps all settings min 1024x768 (not great tho)

i have the msi version and its excelent AFAIK but then ive only been using it as a File store/ Diablo station

 

[Vipulbatta]

I looked at some of the reviews online. Makes sense to go for a value/mainstream PCI-E card.

My current PC is an old DDR based one. I will be able to salvage only the FDD and DVD r/w from it.

The config I am planning to upgrade to is

E6600 2.4 GHz
2x512 Samsung DDR2 667
Geforce 7 series or 8 series (upto $150)- Will look for a July 4th sale!!

Not decided on a mobo yet, trying to get a discount on 975x from a relative at Intel

 

[randomizer]

See if you can get a discount for me too, I want an e4300 real cheap :lol:

 

[jamesgoddard]

The G965 with the GMA X3000 GPU is the best intergrated option at the mo

http://www.channelinsider.com/article/Intel+G965+with+GMA+X3000+Integrated+Graphics/205980_5.aspx

 

[zenmaster]

Is Intel G965 a good option for Integrated graphics?
Planning to use the PC to play games (not high end titles) like NFS-Most Wanted, Doom, Quake, Serious Sam etc....
Also, to watch hi-Def DVDs with an HDMI card plugged into SDVO..
How good are the gfx drivers for this card?

The system config I am looking for is

E6600, Core2Duo
G965
1 GB DDR2 667
2x120 GB HDD

Do you think this is a good config? I have not heard much about AMD/ATI chipsets... How good are they?

Very Bad setup.

1) Integrated Graphics will not play anythign well.
2) The Integrated Graphics Motherboards will kill potential CPU performance. So you are buying a price CPU only to intentionally throttle ie.

Switch to an E4300 on a Gigabyte DS-3 Motherboard.
Set the RAM to run 1:1 stock speeds of 667.
This will run the CPU at a cool and easy 3.0Ghz and save you over $100.
Spend the $100 on a 7600GT.

You will have both a faster processor by about 20% and graphichs card that is 10-20x or more faster.

 

[bkiserx7]

I looked at some of the reviews online. Makes sense to go for a value/mainstream PCI-E card.

My current PC is an old DDR based one. I will be able to salvage only the FDD and DVD r/w from it.

The config I am planning to upgrade to is

E6600 2.4 GHz
2x512 Samsung DDR2 667
Geforce 7 series or 8 series (upto $150)- Will look for a July 4th sale!!

Not decided on a mobo yet, trying to get a discount on 975x from a relative at Intel

In your budget and definately better suited for the HD playback is the 8600GT. From what I have read "HERE" it is actually more specialized at this task than the 8800s, it will also fly through all the games you mentioned and is silently cooled. http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA9630948
Then I would say by the P965-DS3 preferably Rev3.3 with an E6320 or E6420 and overclock to 333 FSB to match your ram selection. You should be able to do with little or no voltage adjustments. If OCing is not your thing, then stick with the E6600 and the board that I mentioned.