Help me choose a non-gamer video card

[xtknight]

Don't the ATIs still use shaders for HD acceleration? In that case the X1300 could only play 480 or possibly 720... The 7600 would be able to do 1080p acceleration just like the, *cough*, 7950GX2.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: xtknight
Don't the ATIs still use shaders for HD acceleration? In that case the X1300 could only play 480 or possibly 720... The 7600 would be able to do 1080p acceleration just like the, *cough*, 7950GX2.

I remember reading, when the X1000 series came out last year, that X1300 does only 480P, X1600 only 720P max and X1800 does 1080P. I assume the newer X1300XT (an old X1600Pro in disguise) can do 720 P.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

why not stick with your x300. if your not gamin whats wrong.

 

[Megatomic]

I'd really like to have a bit more graphical prowess. Avivo would be a plus. Also, for the rare opportunity when I sit down to play NWN or Second Life I'd like to be able to enjoy myself a little bit.

 

[lopri]

Originally posted by: Nightmare225

Originally posted by: lopri

Originally posted by: Blurry
Your best bet.

lol

Are you kidding me? That's the absolute minimum he should get for 2D Tasks and the like...

Indeed.. Also it happens to be under "Weekend Sale" so it adds even more value.

 

[Cookie Monster]

7300GS should do you fine.

I though pure video was free as well? i could be wrong.

NV's pure video HD acceleration depends onthe core clock of the GPU. The 7300GS is 550mhz which is fast. This means that even the low end cards can do 1080p/720p.

But for ATi, they use the pixel shaders so X1300 series would be stuck at 480p if not 720.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
7300GS should do you fine.

I though pure video was free as well? i could be wrong.

NV's pure video HD acceleration depends onthe core clock of the GPU. The 7300GS is 550mhz which is fast. This means that even the low end cards can do 1080p/720p.

But for ATi, they use the pixel shaders so X1300 series would be stuck at 480p if not 720.

Thanks for letting me know about that. Maybe a 7300 class card (not Turbocache) is a better choice for me.

 

[Megatomic]

What do you all think about the FireGL 3400? It looks like it may fit me perfectly and bamacre is selling 3 of them for $70 each in the FS/FT forum. I'm about to pull the trigger so if you have anything to say please say it quickly.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
Maybe a 7300 class card (not Turbocache) is a better choice for me.

From what I have seen, Turbocache is mandatory on all 7300 Series cards, except for the 7300GT which is based on a different core (the same G73 as the 7600 Series).

Maybe someone can correct me on this. I have researched Turbocache on the 7300 some months ago and it was what I found out.

Also, 7300GS/LE have only 64-bit memory interface.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
What do you all think about the FireGL 3400? It looks like it may fit me perfectly and bamacre is selling 3 of them for $70 each in the FS/FT forum. I'm about to pull the trigger so if you have anything to say please say it quickly.

Not expensive enough...

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: BernardP

Originally posted by: Megatomic
What do you all think about the FireGL 3400? It looks like it may fit me perfectly and bamacre is selling 3 of them for $70 each in the FS/FT forum. I'm about to pull the trigger so if you have anything to say please say it quickly.

Not expensive enough...

What do you mean? I'd like to spend as little as possible...

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
What do you mean? I'd like to spend as little as possible...

Look HERE or HERE.

This is one the latest generation of ATI professional video cards, based on the X1600 series. It is worth 275$...Why is it selling for 70$? And 3 of them are available?

I have looked at the F/S post: "System pull"...? What do we know about the origin of these cards?

 

[Megatomic]

Yeah, I have seen them for sale at Newegg. But people often sell system pull components for fractions of what it costs to buy one new at an etailer.

If it's a working card and it's a v3400 then I don't see the problem.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

your not gonna get much gaming from a firegl. they suck at that.
better off getting a real x1600pro

 

[Megatomic]

Gaming is definitely not a high priority for me right now, and by the time I'll be gaming again (ever?) I'll have another system. My daughter will not be using this computer for gaming.

$70 shipped is a damn good price...

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
$70 shipped is a damn good price...

The V3400 has specs that lie somewhere between the X1600 Pro and X1600XT. It is not worth more to a regular user than these cards. The inflated price of the FireGL cards is mostly due to the fact that they, and their drivers, are certified for professional use. That $ 70 price looks less like a killer bargain when compared to X1600 Pro and XT.

With a number of perfectly suitable brand-new 7300GT's available on Newegg for less than $ 80, I, for one, would not spend $ 70 for a V3400 of unknown history (at best), and no warranty.

Your money, your decision.

 

[Megatomic]

Well, it's a non issue anyways. They're all sold now.