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Please help choose new video card for Vista

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - Please help choose new video card for Vista

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docta13   08-30-2007 at 02:09:39 AM

Hey all,

My graphics card on my desktop recently died, so I need a new one anyway. I'm currently running Vista Ultimate. I don't do any gaming, but I want to get a card that will support of all Vista's visual effects. I don't need anything more than that. I'd really appreciate your input on helping choose a video card, as I know nothing about them.

Here are the specs of my current video card after doing a DxDiag from my system:


------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 8/22/2007, 20:05:07
Machine name: HOME311-PC
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Ultimate (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_rtm.061101-2205)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gateway
System Model: E-6100
BIOS: BIOS Date: 04/21/04 17:05:39 Ver: 08.00.10
Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 CPU 2.66GHz, ~2.7GHz
Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 789MB used, 1507MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6000.16386 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: The file ctaud2k.sys is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer.
Sound Tab 2: The file ctaud2k.sys is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4200 (Microsoft Corporation - XDDM)
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce4 Ti 4200
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0253&SUBSYS_87031462&REV_A3
Display Memory: 127.5 MB
Dedicated Memory: n/a
Shared Memory: n/a
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: nv4_disp
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.5673 (English)
DDI Version: 9
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 11/2/2006 05:42:15, 4274816 bytes

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spuddyt   08-30-2007 at 02:16:08 AM
- 0 +

u could probably get away with something like an 8400 (OEM part only I think) but you can NEVER expect to play a game on it

Reply to spuddyt
aevm   08-30-2007 at 03:29:07 AM
- 0 +

I've just recommended BFG 8500 GT for our new R&D computers at work. They're quiet, only $100, perfect for Vista Aero, support dual monitors, and they're totally useless for gaming. All excellent advantages from my boss' point of view :)

Reply to aevm
Dr_asik   08-30-2007 at 03:52:08 AM
- 0 +

Yup, either an HD 2400Pro or geForce 8400 would be fine. They'll even be excellent for older games, and high-quality videos. ;)

Reply to Dr_asik
runswindows95   08-30-2007 at 05:04:26 AM
- 0 +

I second the 8500GT. Just figure spending no more than $100 really.

Reply to runswindows95
docta13   08-30-2007 at 04:46:41 PM
- 0 +

I did some research and it doesn't appear the NVidia 8 series supports AGP, which is what I need. I think I traced it back to the 6 series as having AGP compatibility.

If this is the case, is the 6 series something that could fully handle Vista? I'm aiming to get one with 256MB. Also, do you also often find you need to upgrade your power supply with most video card upgrades?


Message edited by docta13 on 08-30-2007 at 04:47:05 PM
Reply to docta13
Cleeve   08-30-2007 at 05:09:57 PM
- 0 +

The Radeon 2400 PRO or Geforce 8400 will do the job with full Dx10 support and a super-low price.

If you don't game, a more expensive card than that is a complete waste.

Reply to Cleeve
aevm   08-30-2007 at 05:10:39 PM
- 0 +

Cleeve, are those available in AGP?

How about this 7600GT:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814122009

It's a very modest card (44W or something like that), it shouldn't need a new PSU.


Message edited by aevm on 08-30-2007 at 05:13:30 PM
Reply to aevm
C26000   08-30-2007 at 05:32:55 PM
- 0 +

I bough a geforce 6200 256MB for my mother pc only for vista, it supports the aero vista interface so I think that it's enough for your purposues, and it's cheap! :) , if you don't game at all you don't need anything more expensive.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to C26000
Cleeve   08-30-2007 at 05:37:12 PM
- 0 +

AGP? Missed that, sorry!

Actually, the 2400/2600 is rumored to come out in September...

But they'll probably be too expensive.

I'd look for a Radeon X1300 or Geforce 6200 for an AGP rig... whichever's cheaper.


Message edited by Cleeve on 08-30-2007 at 05:37:33 PM
Reply to Cleeve
aevm   08-30-2007 at 05:50:51 PM
- 0 +

C26000 wrote :

I bough a geforce 6200 256MB for my mother pc only for vista, it supports the aero vista interface so I think that it's enough for your purposues, and it's cheap! :) , if you don't game at all you don't need anything more expensive.



Agreed. Just don't get a GeForce MX 4000. I had one like that and it was lousy at playing movies at 1680x1050, I had to watch them in a window at about 800x600 :fou:

Reply to aevm
docta13   08-30-2007 at 06:49:15 PM
- 0 +

Any idea whether I'll need a 128-bit card? Or will a 256MB 64-bit card run the Aero interface?

I need to run a 1280x1024 resolution as well. Will all 6-series and up cards run this res?

Reply to docta13
monst0r   08-30-2007 at 07:12:22 PM
- 0 +

it sure will run that res..

 

and since your not gaming the 64-bit bus doesn't affect you at all really..i would go for the cheapest 6 series card you could find

 

ahh found it http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130039


Message edited by monst0r on 08-30-2007 at 07:14:00 PM
------------------------------ http://tinyurl.com/5mvund
E6300@3.2ghz 1.32v | Gigabyte P35-DS3R 1.0
4x1GB C5@900Mhz | 8800GT
 Reply to monst0r
ComputerCustomizer   08-30-2007 at 07:21:27 PM
- 0 +

geforce 6800 gt (bfg)
powerful, not too expensive, quiet

Reply to ComputerCustomizer
phillyman36   08-30-2007 at 08:23:37 PM
- 0 +

I used a evga 6800 vanilla pci express on vista good. I tried certain flash games and they wouldnt play so i switched to an evga 8600 gts and am having the same problems. Other than that the 6800 ran with no problems

Reply to phillyman36
belal   08-30-2007 at 08:31:02 PM
- 0 +

Don't get an Nvidia card whatever you do for Vista. I have a 8800 GTX and there's been numerous reports (and my own personal experience) where the video drivers simply stop responding and can regularily crash the desktop. Even the newest beta drivers from Nvidia doesn't fix the problem. Get anything from ATI before you get an Nvidia card for Vista.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to belal
aevm   08-30-2007 at 08:57:12 PM
- 0 +

belal wrote :

Don't get an Nvidia card whatever you do for Vista. I have a 8800 GTX and there's been numerous reports (and my own personal experience) where the video drivers simply stop responding and can regularily crash the desktop. Even the newest beta drivers from Nvidia doesn't fix the problem. Get anything from ATI before you get an Nvidia card for Vista.



Are you sure ATI's drivers are better? I heard horror stories about both sides.

As far as I'm concerned I'll just stick with XP for now and give ATI/nVidia/Microsoft a bit more time to get everything perfect.

docta13, is XP an option for you? Your single-core CPU/1GB RAM combination would be faster on XP too, because XP consumes fewer resources than Vista.

Reply to aevm
docta13   08-30-2007 at 09:04:37 PM
- 0 +

I actually dual boot with XP and Vista, but am switching mainly to Vista now. The system runs very smoothly on what I have now, but I need to replace my dead video card so I figured I might as well get one that is compatible with Aero.

Reply to docta13
AdamJ   08-30-2007 at 09:10:13 PM
- 0 +

nvidia 7 series or ATi X1k series for aero

Reply to AdamJ
sirrobin4ever   08-30-2007 at 09:52:22 PM
- 0 +

Just about any AGP card will work these days. Even an old 9700 pro would be fine for Aeroglass. (But I wouldn't go any older than that!)

Reply to sirrobin4ever
spuddyt   08-31-2007 at 12:44:33 AM
- 0 +

just get a 7600, that will do fine for agp

Reply to spuddyt
blade85   08-31-2007 at 01:17:41 AM
- 0 +

i would advise you to also increase ur system memory from 1 gig to at least 2 gig. More if you can afford to. Vista really does need a fair amount of RAM to run properly.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by blade85 on 08-31-2007 at 04:02:21 PM
------------------------------ I came here to kick ass and chew bubblegum.....and I'm all out of gum!
 Reply to blade85
AdamJ   08-31-2007 at 01:49:58 AM
- 0 +

Blade is right. You should highly consider getting another gig of RAM.

Reply to AdamJ
spuddyt   08-31-2007 at 02:15:22 AM
- 0 +

blade85 wrote :

i would advise you to also increase ur system memory from 1 meg to at least 2 megs.


I assume you mean gigs megs would be depressing nowadays

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by spuddyt on 08-31-2007 at 02:17:46 AM
------------------------------ E2160 @ 3 ghz, 4 gb ddr2 800 (4-4-4-12) 2900 pro @XT (those are the important bits for FPS :P)
 Reply to spuddyt
docta13   08-31-2007 at 02:36:01 AM
- 0 +

Do I really need more RAM? Is getting a new video card (i.e. using Aero) going to drag down my performance?

I was hoping a 256MB card would take care of that.

Reply to docta13
blade85   08-31-2007 at 04:01:26 PM
- 0 +

spuddyt wrote :

I assume you mean gigs megs would be depressing nowadays




haha yeah soz, wasnt thinking straight :heink: :heink:

edited orginal post


Message edited by blade85 on 08-31-2007 at 04:02:38 PM
------------------------------ I came here to kick ass and chew bubblegum.....and I'm all out of gum!
 Reply to blade85
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