Choosing an nVidia GeForce Graphics Card

[whistler49]

Any recommendations as to what would be a high quality GeForce card to buy for an ASUS P5N-D motherboard running Windows7? I use the computer mainly for running professional digital audio applications but may use it for video editing and viewing in the future.

 

[jyjjy]

If you aren't gaming then you don't need a very powerful card. Something like a GT 220 would work well.

 

[whistler49]

Thanks, Jyjjy. I'll check out the GT 220. I agree that I don't need a powerful gaming card, but I do want to leave room for growth and for use with video apps in the future. Might that added info change your advice?

Sorry, Strange, but I don't know nuttin' about gpu or cuda or what those acronyms even mean. How do I find out? Do I need to find out?

 

[4745454b]

If your needs are that light, get a mobo with onboard video and a PCIe slot for possible future upgrades.

 

[whistler49]

If you aren't gaming then you don't need a very powerful card. Something like a GT 220 would work well.

As you suggested, I've been looking at GT 220 cards. Do you, or does anyone, have an opinion as to which of the following would be best for my purposes? Is one of the manufacturers more reliable than the others? Is one of them quiter than the others (noise is a factor because I'm operating in a sound studio)?

(1) ASUS ENGT220/DI/1GD2(LP)
(2) BFG Tech BFGEGT2201024D2BE
(3) Galaxy 22TGE8HX2IUN

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Video editing may want some GPU RAM, ....ust throw ya budget in here:


Here's the "winners" from THG's latest (December) GFX Roundup
Best Graphics Cards For The Money: December '09

$50 - HD 4650
$65 - HD 4670 / 9600 GSO
$85 - 9600 GT
$95 - 9600 GT / HD 4830
$110 - GTS 250 512 MB
$120 - GTS 250 1 GB
$155 - HD 5770 / GTX 260
$200 - HD 4890
$240 - 2 x GTS 250
$310 - No winner (HD 5850 Honorable Mention)
$330 - 2 x GTX 260 / 2 x HD 5770
$400 - 2 x HD 4890
$410 - No winner (HD 5870 Honorable Mention)
$465 - No winner (GTX 295 Honorable Mention)
$625 - No winner (HD 5970 Honorable Mention)

I'd pick from the bolded selections

 

[JackNaylorPE]

As you suggested, I've been looking at GT 220 cards. Do you, or does anyone, have an opinion as to which of the following would be best for my purposes? Is one of the manufacturers more reliable than the others? Is one of them quiter than the others (noise is a factor because I'm operating in a sound studio)?

(1) ASUS ENGT220/DI/1GD2(LP)
(2) BFG Tech BFGEGT2201024D2BE
(3) Galaxy 22TGE8HX2IUN

In an Asus board, option 1 is an obvious choice if for no other reason when you call tech support and the guy tries to blame the MoBo, you can say "Fine, fix that then, it's yours too".

 

[jyjjy]

The list jack pasted is appropriate, although a bit flawed, for gamers but not really for your purposes(unless you are considering doing some gaming.)

 

[4745454b]

Which is why I said stick to onboard. Unless your using CUDA apps there isn't a need for a GPU in this system. Modern IGPs will work fine.

 

[whistler49]

Thanks for the thoughtful advice.