Get nVidia card to go with nVidia chipset Biostar mobo?

[zCypher]

Hello,

What video card do you suggest to go with a Biostar CRU51-M7 mobo? The mobo seems to have an nVidia chipset - is it better to use an nVidia video card with it or does it matter? Will an ATI card be at a disadvantage?

The ATI card I was looking at is the Asus PCI-E X1950PRO 256M or the nVidia card, the Asus GF7 7600 256M.

What do you suggest? The whole system goes really well as is, but the user is looking to get a video card soon. The processor is presently an AMD 64, 3000+, the ram is 1x512x333 and 1x512x400 (so I guess they both run at 333), not sure if they are cas2.5 or 3 (probably 3).

anyway.. which out of the two above video cards - or neither? if neither, let me know which ones in the same price range you would suggest!

Thanks in advance !

 

[TheRyuu]

No the ATI card won't be at a disadvantage.
It doesn't matter what chipset you have.

I think the X1950Pro would win that one. X1950Pro~=7900GS if I recall correctly.
There might be better options too but I can't think of any right now (brain fart?)

 

[keeleysam]

For $200, you could grab a used 7900GT, or for $160 a used 7800GT.

Both would obliterate those two cards.

 

[450R]

Originally posted by: keeleysam
For $200, you could grab a used 7900GT, or for $160 a used 7800GT.

Both would obliterate those two cards.

Uh, no. X1950 Pro is a great match for the 7900GT, and it's $200 brand new.

OP: out of the two you listed, X1950 Pro. I'd also look at a 7900GS - a bit slower than the ATI card but can be had for around $140 after rebates.

 

[zCypher]

Thanks for the help!

There are two PCI-E slots on the board, one normal length one and another really short/small one - I'm assuming it'll go in the long/normal one? Is the X1950 PCI-E 16x?

Is an AMD 64 3000+ a good match?

 

[BernardP]

The Biostar CRU51-M7 is a Micro-ATX board with NVidia integrated graphics. I would suggest getting a NVidia card to allow having only NVIdia video drivers on the system.

Also, the X1950 Pro and 7900GS are too much card for the processor. In addition, the 1950 Pro might be physically too long for the board/case. Check possible interference with hard disks.

Finally, check that the power supply is enough for the card you want to add.

Considering the above, I would suggets that a 7600GT would be a better match for the existing system.