Video Card for my Mom

[morc]

Hello Everyone!

Been a THG visitor since the beginning.. Anyway I am getting a new video card for my Mom's pentium 4 2.4mhz rig (400 FSB).

Mom never plays any games other than solitaire but she does do some really interesting work with PhotoShop, she is a photographer and edits all her photos in very large uncompressed files.

So, what is the best card for her? My thoughts were that she doesnt need a big 3D engine but a large on-card memory would be a benefit, correct? So perhaps a GeForce FX 5200 with 256mb? Or a Radeon? Does the memory interface matter if she is not using the card for 3D apps? (e.g. 64-bit vs 128-bit vs 256-bit)

Is there a significant benefit to having a 256mb memory vs. a 128mb video card?

Thanks for the advice, and my Mom thanks you too!

 

[confoundicator]

Here's a <A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=363095#363095" target="_new">link</A>, just in case you're still waiting...

He that but looketh on a plate of ham and eggs to lust after it, hath already committed breakfast with it in his heart. -C.S. Lewis

 

[morc]

Actually, I browsed that FAQ already. But it is all about 3D performance. I am looking good 2D performance for Photoshop. I know that system memory is key, but how about a video card? If the card also does 3D that is fine, but not important.

I was wondering if one of the 3D cards with lots of memory would be better than say a Matrox g550 with 32mb of DDR.

Thanks for the reply, -morc

 

[confoundicator]

The general consensus is that ATi's cards have better Image Quality than nVidia's. Also there is Matrox but it depends on your price range. How much $$$ are you planning on shelling out?

He that but looketh on a plate of ham and eggs to lust after it, hath already committed breakfast with it in his heart. -C.S. Lewis

 

[daddywags214]

Just about any new ATi card would do you just fine. Try a Radeon 9000, those are cheap.

AHHH <b>MOTHERLAND!!!!!</b>

 

[coolsquirtle]

Matrox

RIP Block Heater....HELLO P4~~~~~
120% nVidia Fanboy+119% Money Fanboy
GeForce 6800 Ultra--> The Way we thought FX 5800Ultra is meant to be played
THGC's resident Asian and nVboy

 

[morc]

I want to spend up to $100 or so. The Matrox g550 32mb is $85, but several ATI cards (radeon 9600) are around the same price, with 128mb memory. Will the higher on-card memory even matter with apps like PhotoShop?

She has 512mb pc-800 RDRAM, P4 2.26mhz, 7200rpm 120GB HDD, 19" trinitron monitor -- now she needs a good AGP video card for editing big photoshop files.

I'm going to bed, will check this thread again tomorrow, --> Thanks again for everyones input!!

 

[TheFamilyGuy]

I don't think it really matters, my comp graphics class in school uses weak graphics cards(nvidia vanta i think)and photoshop doesn't seem to run any different then my comp at home.

 

[mrface]

I personally would suggest the GeForce4 Ti4200 128mb card, because it is a great value and she would be able to do anything she needed to for it.

<A HREF="http://www.cameronwilliamson.com" target="_new">-={Apostalic Alcoholic.}=-</A>

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

She would be best served by a Matrox P650, period. Feature rich, more options and best quality bar none. And MAtrox works very closely with Adobe to bring many Matrox only features to users. But that's a little outside your price range (since they are about $150). And while I like the Matrox G550 series, it is a little old in the tooth, and delivers about the same quality as the ATIs, and has nowhere near the feature of the P650.

The onboard memory won't matter as much as the RAMDACs and filtering on the card, as well as the features of the drivers. Memory would matter alot if it was 3D manipulation of those images and effects. 2D isn't as memory intensive as 3D (not by a long shot).

And despite others' comments the GF4 and under series have TERRIBLE 2D quality. Their RAMDACs are poor, and the signal quality is not up to snuff. The difference between the GF4 and the FX series is huge, and even then people still prefer the 9XXX series ATIs over the FXs, and the Matroxs over the ATIs.

The ATI R9000/9100/9200 will all allow you to save money. The Matroxs have great image quality, especially the P-series, and if she appreciates the quality of here picture that's the way to go, but if she has better uses for the $70+ difference, then she likely won't notice the difference.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[phial]

pretty much agree, first hand experience here

-------
<A HREF="http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/you.html" target="_new">please dont click here! </A>
<A HREF="http://www.subhi.com/keyboard.jpg" target="_new">This is you, interweb junky</A>

 

[dhlucke]

Like usual, that was a great post. Gotta give it up to you

<font color=red>_______________________________________
Nov. 6, 1971: "I gave back, I can't remember, six, seven, eight, nine medals"

- John Kerry, a Presidential Candidate

 

[morc]

Wow,

A definitive answer.. So rare to come by these days. TheGreatGrapeApe sure knows video cards!

Thanks, really, thanks a lot. I may just decide to get that Matrox P650 after all.

Much appreciation, -morc

 

[Titanion]

Have you confirmed that your mother's motherboard has an AGP slot?

If not, overstock.com still has PCI ATI 9100 64MB for $50.00... I got one for my sister's HP...

<font color=red><b>NF7-S/Mobile Barton 2600+
210x12.5 1.808v SLK900A
1GB Corsair XMS PC3200
Sapphire 9500np@9700np</font color=red><font color=black>
NF7-S/Barton 2500+
200x11.5 1.76v
512MB XMS PC2700
XFX Ti4200

 

[DonnieDarko]

I just did the samething for my mom's dell.