SurrealliS
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ok looking to get a new video card anyway...
now that my video is correct i still want to buy a new video card, i have read alot of reviews and i am wondering what you all think, is it better to get a 512mb or 1gb? i am looking to spend maybe 150-175 at the most, have looked all over newegg, ebay, etc can anyone suggest anything? i am going to be purchasing this television Sony KV-32XBR450 from a friend so i would like to have it connected as well as probably buying a new HD monitor and run a 2 monitor setup with the connection to the TV for downloaded movies, any suggestions would be appreciated. (also i am not much of a Gamer but might start playing a few games like assassins creed, or WOW, once i get everything set-up)
SuRReaL
SuRReaL
Callandor
The price difference is fairly small and if you are planning to play 3D games, more VRAM will help. For $150-$175, check this article: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-gtx,2270-3.html - the $185 cards are much more powerful than the category underneath them. The actual card to get may depend on the games you like - different cards perform better in different games.
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ASKER
This is my current setup:
OS: Windows XP home Ed. svc pk 3, 32 bit
Motherboard: ASUS M2N68-VM , nVidia 7050p, Onboard Video, HDMI, GB LAN
Processor AMD phenom x4 9600 Black Edition (not overclocked)
Memory: 3GB (2x1GB) PC6400 DDR2 800 Dual Channel (2x512mb) PC6400 DDR2 800
Hard Drive: 160.0GB 7200rpm SATA2 UDMA 300 8m Cache
BackUp: Seagate 160Gb USB 2.0
DVD Recorder : Samsung LightScribe 20x SATA DVD Recorder Dual Layer +R/RW -R/RW
Sound Card AC 97 3D Full Duplex sound card (onboard)
Display: Samsung Syncmaster 941bw 19" LCD 1440x900 res
Network Cards: Ethernet network adapter (onboard)
Case: Thermaltake Soprano Black, front USB
Power Supply: Okia 500W ATX Power Supply
i think that covers everything, if i left something out let me know, i am wanting to upgrade the video card and the monitor, (also a raid setup in the future) everything is currently running through my Sony home stereo via Optical TOSLINK. i can probably go $200 on a video card as long as i know i wont need to upgrade for awhile. i have also considered upgrading to 64 bit OS, so if this would be a big advantage let me know and i will shop around and see if i can do that as well, i am not a novice by any means i know my way around a motherboard, i have done all my work myself as well as putting together some basic systems for friends etc. but at the same time there's plenty i don't know, but always eager to learn more. just recently i have been able to actually afford some upgrades to hardware and TV etc...so thanks for the advice so far, good stuff guys.
SurreaL
OS: Windows XP home Ed. svc pk 3, 32 bit
Motherboard: ASUS M2N68-VM , nVidia 7050p, Onboard Video, HDMI, GB LAN
Processor AMD phenom x4 9600 Black Edition (not overclocked)
Memory: 3GB (2x1GB) PC6400 DDR2 800 Dual Channel (2x512mb) PC6400 DDR2 800
Hard Drive: 160.0GB 7200rpm SATA2 UDMA 300 8m Cache
BackUp: Seagate 160Gb USB 2.0
DVD Recorder : Samsung LightScribe 20x SATA DVD Recorder Dual Layer +R/RW -R/RW
Sound Card AC 97 3D Full Duplex sound card (onboard)
Display: Samsung Syncmaster 941bw 19" LCD 1440x900 res
Network Cards: Ethernet network adapter (onboard)
Case: Thermaltake Soprano Black, front USB
Power Supply: Okia 500W ATX Power Supply
i think that covers everything, if i left something out let me know, i am wanting to upgrade the video card and the monitor, (also a raid setup in the future) everything is currently running through my Sony home stereo via Optical TOSLINK. i can probably go $200 on a video card as long as i know i wont need to upgrade for awhile. i have also considered upgrading to 64 bit OS, so if this would be a big advantage let me know and i will shop around and see if i can do that as well, i am not a novice by any means i know my way around a motherboard, i have done all my work myself as well as putting together some basic systems for friends etc. but at the same time there's plenty i don't know, but always eager to learn more. just recently i have been able to actually afford some upgrades to hardware and TV etc...so thanks for the advice so far, good stuff guys.
SurreaL
As I noted above, with the usage pattern you've described, there's no advantage with a 1GB video card. Since you're using XP x32, I'd just get a 512MB card ==> you won't notice any performance difference in the graphics (vs. the 1GB version); you'll have your full 3GB of installed RAM available for the OS; and you'll save a few $$ in the process :-)
ASKER
ok that sounds reasonable, any suggestions on a good 512mb card? mainly want to connect 2 monitors (1 HD) and my HDTV...
SurreaL
SurreaL
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