Any recommendations for PCI Express vid card for dual 24" display?

[thirdlegstump]

Current specs: Opteron 165, 1.5GB PC3200, 9700 Pro (AGP driver vers. 8.241.0.0) on cheapass Asrock dual 939 board (maybe that's what needs replacement...) running Windows XP SP2 (not 64bit)

Reason for upgrade: AGP 9700Pro 128MB stutters often when moving windows around and performing other basic tasks that should not choke any modern video card.

Requirements: Smooth and solid 2D display performance for audio/video and basic but very busy office and systems administration work on dual 24" LCDs running at full resolution.

I often have multiple web pages open and scroll around a lot in every application, especially large Excel worksheets and heavy load of PDFs. Also active with remote server administration and have VMWare going at the same time as a testing lab. I basically don't want to see something CHOKE on the graphics side of things as it is becoming very counterproductive.

I understand that other factors like storage bottlenecks will have a huge impact but what I am seeing is completely graphics related.

Basically I'm looking for very fast and solid 2D performance on this Asrock board. If the board is the problem, I would replace it as well. Just give me suggestions.

Budget isn't much of a concern.

Thanks.

 

[Gstanfor]

Have you updated the bios to the latest available? using the latest Uli drivers from nvidia's website? Install the AGP driver BEFORE the graphics card driver (seems particuarly important for ATi users - a few had troubles with their 9800's due to this, probably smartgart related)?

 

[thirdlegstump]

Originally posted by: Gstanfor
Have you updated the bios to the latest available? using the latest Uli drivers from nvidia's website? Install the AGP driver BEFORE the graphics card driver (seems particuarly important for ATi users - a few had troubles with their 9800's due to this, probably smartgart related)?

Yea I've done all that. Like I said, it's the video card.

 

[Gstanfor]

Actually, if your 1.5 gig of memory is 3 dimms, remove one and see what happens. There should be no way the card is causing those sorts of problems. Maybe if it were a Virge or something it could.

 

[ElFenix]

don't 24" LCDs require dual link dvi? so you'd need dual dual link dvi?

newegg suggests...

 

[thirdlegstump]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
don't 24" LCDs require dual link dvi? so you'd need dual dual link dvi?

newegg suggests...

Nah it doesn't require dual link. I think that's for running the 30" Apple display.

Will that card really work? I'm suspicious considering how dirt cheap it is. I also don't want something that's off-brand that uses cheap parts and/or have non existent tech and customer support. What's your opinion on that card?

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: deathkoba

Originally posted by: ElFenix
don't 24" LCDs require dual link dvi? so you'd need dual dual link dvi?

newegg suggests...

Nah it doesn't require dual link. I think that's for running the 30" Apple display.

Will that card really work? I'm suspicious considering how dirt cheap it is. I also don't want something that's off-brand that uses cheap parts and/or have non existent tech and customer support. What's your opinion on that card?

i've never used a gecube product myself, but apparently they're gigabyte's retail arm. so they're probably reliable.

xfx is well known for their warranty. additionally, that card is silent.