GeForce 6600 aero

[alyarb]

I'm throwing together a frankenstein for my mom. It's going to be a 3.1 GHz Athlon II X3 with 4GB into her crappy AM2+ board, so I was planning on giving her an old GeForce 6600GT to not waste system RAM on the frame buffer (and it's a crappy nvidia IGP).

Would you say a 128MB 6600 GT has better aero GUI acceleration than a 630a IGP? Anyone with firsthand experience? Would it be better to use the IGP with a 256MB shared frame buffer (I wouldn't think so, which is why I'm asking)?

thanks

 

[toyota]

for her usage it does not matter so just use the integrated graphics.

 

[alyarb]

My question was really directed at people with firsthand knowledge of both GPUs; definitely not asking for any nef posts (no offense). I understand that it shouldn't matter, but I've had bad experiences with aero on old IGPs in the past. We probably all have. And if it doesn't matter, the dedicated VRAM and larger, more numerous shaders of the 6600 should be superior to the 630a. After I close up this machine, I will never see it again, so I think a little academic conjecture is worthwhile in the timeframe of waiting for the CPU to be delivered.

She is a sloppy user and leaves tons of windows open, so I want the absolute most GUI acceleration I can get with the parts I have lying around. One of my servers has a 7900GT and there is absolutely no tearing or anything moving glassy windows around, which is what I am going for. So strictly in the context of aero, irrespective of the age or sex of the user, is a bigger GPU with 128MB better than a smaller GPU with 256MB?

 

[toyota]

wow I guess you need a better reply then. I have used a 6150se, which is worse than that integrated gpu, and it is fine. my parents use a 6150se probably more than 10 hours a day. do you really think 90% of 3yr old computers have to upgrade the gpu just for aero? so like I said in my first reply, the integrated video will be fine.

 

[alyarb]

The technology in the 630a predates vista, so of course it's worth asking about. I think the 7050 is actually identical to the 6150, both numbered MCP61P and having only 2 pixel pipes. I do appreciate the empirical anecdotes and I'm still open to hear more.

 

[frozentundra123456]

My son recently purchased a bargain HP comp at best buy which had 6150se integrated graphics. It runs Win 7 fine.

Also, the 6600GT uses more power than the integrated IGP, and would such an old card be reliable?? So i guess I would agree with Toyota that the IGP would be the way to go.

On the other hand, here is a thought. It is your mom, right? Knock yourself out and buy a modern low end/low power card like a 5570 or 6450 if you really dont want to use the IGP.

 

[toyota]

The technology in the 630a predates vista, so of course it's worth asking about. I think the 7050 is actually identical to the 6150, both numbered MCP61P and having only 2 pixel pipes. I do appreciate the empirical anecdotes and I'm still open to hear more.

7050 and even 6150 continue to be made to this day and both support aero in Vista and 7. my parents 3 year old HP computer with a 6150 came with Vista Home Premium. my 5 year old HP pc came with a 6150 and Vista Home Premium. you do not have to upgrade the gpu to use aero.

 

[skipsneeky2]

7050 and even 6150 continue to be made to this day and both support aero in Vista and 7. my parents 3 year old HP computer with a 6150 came with Vista Home Premium. my 5 year old HP pc came with a 6150 and Vista Home Premium. you do not have to upgrade the gpu to use aero.

Built a friend a rig around a x2 555 and a mobo with onboard 7050,

Seemed to run older games like ut2004 and BF2 at 800x600 pretty good so i will say the onboard will be fine too.

Mind you this computer now has 4gb of ram windows 7 ultimate and my old 8800gts but the onboard did serve good for aero.

 

[KingFatty]

I have an older computer running Windows 7 with a 128MB 6600 GT, barely ever turn it on to serve files over the network so I don't have any helpful feedback on the look and feel of interacting with it. Is there something specific you'd like me to check?

For a guesstimate you could also check the performance hierarchy on toms hardware to see which of your two cards comes out on top.

However, I recently saw a special on newegg for a 5450 video card for $5 after rebate, may be worth getting that and not having to worry about performance (plus the 5450 is very good at saving power, most models are passively cooled without needing a fan).

 

[nemesismk2]

I had a Foxconn M61PMV Nforce430 which uses the 6150se. The onboard gpu was pretty much useless for games but ran win 7 aero without any problems. It's 2d speed was good as well.