32 or 64MB?

[Flowzarus]

Hi, My old GEForce 32 just died and I wanted to get a quick suggestion on what video card I really need.

I have a Thunderbird 1.2GHz, Abit KT7A-Raid motherboard.

I don't plan on playing video games. The most stressful thing I'll be doing is encoding video (home movies and some TV shows being placed on VCDs). Does the video card have any effect on this?

Basically deciding if I need an $80 64MB card or a $30 32MB card.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Eug]

Just get a Radeon 32 MB SDR card.

 

[BFG10K]

I'd recommend something like a Radeon 9000 Pro.

SDR cards can falter at high resolutions and high refresh rates in terms of 2D acceleration.

 

[JeremiahTheGreat]

As long as the card isn't like a S3 Virge (i actually had one coupled wif my Athlon 1Ghz, lets just say it wasn't pretty), any fairly modern day card (radeon 7200, GF2 or higher) will suffice. The extra ram is for game textures, which by your post implies will never be used. So save the cash, get the 32Mb one.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: JeremiahTheGreat
As long as the card isn't like a S3 Virge (i actually had one coupled wif my Athlon 1Ghz, lets just say it wasn't pretty), any fairly modern day card (radeon 7200, GF2 or higher) will suffice. The extra ram is for game textures, which by your post implies will never be used. So save the cash, get the 32Mb one.

Heh. I just bought a new 8 MB S3 Virge for 13 bux. At medium resolutions it's fine for speed and refresh rates (24-bit colour), but let's just say the 2D image quality ain't great. But it doesn't matter because the monitor isn't too good either.

When I get around to it I'll get a cheap Rage 128 or Radeon or something.

 

[Krugger]

if it was between 30 and 80, i'd go 30. but i have a feeling you could probably find a 64 mb card for under 80 in hot deals... but i haven't checked recently.
as to whether its involved in the encoding process, good question.
Krugger

 

[calvink]

I just got a 64MB Radeon 8500LE from amazon last week for 70bux. That's probably a better deal.