video card 3

[xit]

I am looking for a good video card (agp or pci) for around $100. Any input would be appreciated. Reason is my current video card is ok but I am running Vista RC1 and I would like a little boost.

Thanks
xit

 

[m33sta]

Vista uses silly amounts of system memory maybee you start there but if you think its a new graphics card that would help look here where there are reviews a plenty

http://tomshardware.co.uk/graphics/index.html

 

[kmcferrin]

As far as Vista goes, I have found that having lots of memory is key. I would suggest a minimum of 1GB, but 1.5GB really works a lot better.

If you need a video card, I am assuming that you want a video card that can run the Aero Glass 3D desktop interface. Anything from the nVidia GeFore 6000 series should work, as would anything from the ATI Radeon x800 and x1000 series. You can get an entry-level card from either range for less than $100 (ATI x1300, nVidia 7300, etc). If you plan on doing any serious 3D gaming though, you will probably want a better card.

One thing to keep in mind is that a bigger number doesn't always mean better performance. The entry level x1000 and 7000 series cards may support all of the new features of the most current GPU lines, but they still tend to be slower than the faster cards of the previous generation. In that case an "upgrade" may actually give you worse performance. What video card are you currently using?

 

[xit]

Thanks for your replies. I am currently running almost 2GB of ram, seems my lowest score is because of my video card which is a nVidia 5200, which works just fine with XP. I think I will stick with nVidia as my motherboard, a Biostar m7ncg400, which uses nVidia chips.
Not a gamer! BTW I really like Vista RC1, runs nice.

Thanks xit

 

[kmcferrin]

Oh, you're going by the Vista "rate your Vista experience" tool where Vista basically checks the specs of your PC, then spits out a score and says to upgrade? I think that they call it the Windows Experience Index.

I ran that on my laptop at work after installing one of the late Betas, and it gave me some rotten score like my PC was going to go up in flames. The reality is that my PC is just fine. It's a Turion ML-37 (2 GHz) with 1.5 GB of RAM and a Radeon Xpress 200M integrated graphics chipset. I can run Vista with all of the visual bells and whistles and there's no problem.

 

[xit]

kmcferrin, yes you are correct, it is the index score I am talking about. I get a 2.5 on my vid card and much higher on all other aspects. I have no problem running Aero Glass, just thought an upgrade video card might add to the experience. then again it may not. Thanks for your reply.

xit

 

[satrow]

Don't worry about it xit, until we all need to upgrade!

I'm stil using a 5 year old PIII laptop with 16Mb graphics but it works ok - rock-solid, if not a games machine (no Aero, obviously).

Upgrade when you really have to is my advice - Vista still has a long way to go before release - save your hard-earned money ...

 

[kmcferrin]

The other point about upgrading a video card specifically for Vista, is that there are currently no video cards available that directly support Vista's DirectX 10. If you absolutely feel the need to upgrade your video card for Vista, wait until the DirectX 10 parts start shipping (about the same time as Vista is expected to) so that you'll have one that 100% supports Vista.

Along the same lines, I'm wondering if the lack of DirectX 10 support is one of the chief reasons that so many good video cards are getting low scores on the Experience Index? It stands to reason, anyway...

 

[xit]

Thank you all for your valuable input. I think I will stay just as I am for a while and see what developes.

kmcferrin your DirectX 10 question has merit.

Thanks again

xit