Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > Workstation GPU Upgrade: Advice needed

Workstation GPU Upgrade: Advice needed

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - Workstation GPU Upgrade: Advice needed

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singingigo   12-18-2007 at 06:45:40 PM

I am repurposing an old workstation at work. To my surprise, it's a pretty decent compared to many of the machines I support. Here's the key specs:

3.2 P4 HT
1GB DDR2-400
40GB Sata 1.5
PCI (NOT EXPRESS!) ATI Radeon V7200 32MB

The motherboard has a PCIe x16 slot and can support DDR2-533. I am planning on upgrading to 2GB of DDR2-533. My question is: What GPU should I buy? This machine will be used for running MS Office, Photoshop, and light video editing on a 20" monitor. The person who will be using the machine is a heavy multi-tasker. I don't want to overbuy, but I want to maximize the remaining life on this machine.

------------------------------ Josiah Rocke
Technology Administrator, Calvary Bible Church
Sales Specialist, Dell, Inc.
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Cleeve   12-18-2007 at 06:49:32 PM
- 0 +

For what you're doing, I don't know if a video card upgrade would offer you any performance increase.

If you were using CAD or other 3d applications it'd be aother story, but photoshop and light video editing? The 7200 should be fine.


Message edited by Cleeve on 12-18-2007 at 06:52:03 PM
------------------------------ Cleeve
Hardware Editor, Tom's Hardware Guide
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singingigo   12-18-2007 at 07:10:10 PM
- 0 +

Is the V7200 any better than the integrated Intel Extreme? I'm also concerned if 32MB of RAM is enough to provide a decent frame buffer for a 1680x1050 screen. I know that has been an issue for me in the past...

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Cleeve   12-18-2007 at 07:22:02 PM
- 0 +

If you find it lags, go for a PCI Radeon 9200 or Geforce 5200 with 128mb. If there is a frame buffer bottleneck, that'll take care of it.


Message edited by Cleeve on 12-18-2007 at 07:24:14 PM
------------------------------ Cleeve
Hardware Editor, Tom's Hardware Guide
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