Good graphics card for multimedia and some gaming

[ddrum2000]

So i built a computer last year to use as a media center PC I am finding myself wanting to some gaming. Currently I use a GF 6150 (integrated) and I know that is not enough for what a want. Typically I will be playing games that are a few years old but the catch is my LCD monitor is 1680x1050 so I want to play as close to native res. as possible. I was thinking about a 7600GT, 8600 GT, or GTS? I don't want to spend lots of money but I would like to get a nice picture with these games.

 

[fredgiblet]

Since it's a media center I'd vote for the 8600GTS though you may want to wait for the 8600 Ultra, though I don't know when (or even if) that's coming out. The reason you should go 8000 series is because of their excellent h.264 decoding which should let you watch HD-DVD and Blu-Ray without framedropping and without killing your cpu.

 

[uberman]

So how much ya got to spend?What is your CPU,GPU,MB?

 

[uberman]

edit:CPU,MB,PSU

 

[ddrum2000]

I don't want to spend much over $200.

CPU: AMD X2 3800+
MB: Asus M2NPV-VM
PSU: Ultra V-Series 400W - http://www.ultraproducts.com/product_details.php?cPath=59&pPath=369&productID=370

So I don't have an HDTV yet and thus I'm not to worried about HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. I'm thinking something quiet, single-slot, and can get decent gaming performance (not fps) @ 1680x1050. Feel free to make other suggestions I just choose nvidia because of the fixed aspect ratio scaling that ATI dosen't have (or at least they previously they did not).

 

[fredgiblet]

Then I'd suggest an 8600GT or a 7600GT

 

[cleeve]

If you want playable gaming at 1680x1050, the X1950 XT (about $210 the last time I checked) is probably the cheapest card you could get by with.

An 8600 GTS is not going to handle 1680x1050 well.

 

[ddrum2000]

Is that the x1950XT dual slot or single slot. What about a 7900 or 7950 GT because of the fixed aspect ratio scaling issue or has ATI(AMD) fixed that?

 

[Kurita]

Unfortunately the x1950xt comes normally with a dual slot cooler, and the stock cooler isnt the quietest one. Many manufacturers sell them with quieter aftermarket coolers however.

The x1950 pro cards can come with single slot coolers, although I dont know how quiet they are.

As far as performance goes I think a pro could manage those resolutions on most games, although AA will have to be sacrificed in some games.

 

[ddrum2000]

Do you know about the fixed aspect ratio scaling so my 4:3 games won't be stretched to 16:9(10)?