Well, this may be a stupid question but I'll ask it anyway because I'm curious and was considering getting a new video card. I am not a hardcore gamer by any means but I do like the odd game and well to be honest if my computer was capable of playing some good games I just might. I do some basic video editing, nothing serious or professional but getting better. Currently I'm using Windows Movie Maker and Adobe Premiere Pro V7. My main question is, what are the other benifits of having a good video card other than the obvious gaming aspect? My current setup: Intel P4 3.0ghz Hyper Threading Processor 2mb L2 Cache 1.5gb DDR Ram (2x 512 and 2x 256) Intel 128mb Shared Video Card 200gb HD SATA I'm not sure about the power supply but I would think it's decent. I just got back from Tiger Direct (luckly I have one around the corner from where I work) and they suggested this board. XFX GeForce 7600 GT XXX / 256MB GDDR3 / SLI / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV / Video Card
Nothing really. Unless you want a little better quality in your editing, there will be no real difference. Gaming is basically the biggest aspect for a video card. Onboard graphics will probably suite your needs, but if you want that little better quality, and maybe some better refresh rate...get a video card.
the integrated GFX on that can't handle anything made within the last 3-4 years, atleast not well if at all. 7600GT is a decent card. in the US they go for around 150, sometimes down as low as 130$ after MIR. Next step above it is the 7900GS for 200ish and then the 7900GT for 230ish. on the ATI side there is the x850XT for about 100$(slightly outperforms 7600GT though it lacks SM3) the x1800XT and the x1900GT for around 200$ and then i don't really pay attention to anything more expensive, I've seen an x1900XTX for 270$ after MIR.... I see if they have an x850XT somewhat reasonably priced ona canadian site. http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku...re=ATI-Sapphire note all prices i said are USD... do you even have a PCI-e slot though? based off the fact that it is using DDR1 it is liekly to be old AGP
Yes, I do have a PCI-E 16x slot available, this is better that AGP isn't it? Specs: Product Features Monitor Not Included Intel Pentium 4 Processor 630 (3 GHz) with Hyper-Threading Technology 2MB L2 Cache FSB - 800MHz 512MB of PC-3200 400MHz DDR SDRAM (upgradeable to 2GB) Processor, Memory, and Motherboard Hardware Platform: PC Processor: 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4 System Bus Speed: 800 MHz Number of Processors: 1 RAM: 512 MB (upgraded with 1024gb) RAM Type: DDR SDRAM L2 Cache: 2 MB Operating System and Software Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition Operating Systems: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition SP2 Platform: PC Orientations Allowed: Vertical Form Factor: Tower Bays: 2 - 5.25" Drive Bays Bays: 1 - 3.5" Drive Bays Internal Bays: 4 - 3.5" Drive Bays PCI Slots (Total): 2 PCI Slots (Available): 1 PCI Express X1 Slots (Total): 1 PCI Express X1 Slots (Available): 1 PCI Express X16 Slots (Total): 1 PCI Express X16 Slots (Available): 1 PCI Express Slots (Total): 2 PCI Express Slots (Available): 2 Expansion Slots: 4 Keyboard and Mouse Keyboard: VAIO keyboard Hard Drive Size: 200 GB Manufacturer: None Type: Serial ATA Graphics and Display Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 Graphics RAM: 128 MB Ports and Connectivity Modem: 56 Kbps Network Connection: 10-/100-Mbps Ethernet Cases and Expandability Size (LWH): 17.12 inches, 7.08 inches, 15.1 inches Weight: 25.8 pounds
PCI-e is significantly better than AGP in theory. in reality, older and slower cards do marginally better on AGP. The good news however that it's negligeable. The newer, more powerful more bandwidth demanding GFX cards do a fair amount better on PCI-e as well. Still somewhat negligeable. for the money I suggest the x850XT. the 7600GT is also a good ard, you can't go wrong with either, but the x850XT is a better buy with very similar performance and a lower pricetag.
my mother board supports both types if u want ulitmate graphics theres then nex Nvidia Geforce 7950GT cost a fair amount but i reckon its worth it. Im saving up for one.
too bad it won't be able to play any of the next gen games seeing as it is only DX9 compliant. it also requires a VERY hefty power supply seeing as how it is merely two 7900GTs combined, it's a wate on the whole in my opinion(assuming you are referring to the 7950GX2, if you're referring to the GT, it's not that much higher up than the regular 7900GT at $70 more, both would be obsoleted at the same time and the extra 70 would be a waste)
