Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE

[imported_sanjuro]

I'm planning on buying a new HP desktop PC. I'm wondering if this graphics card is good enough for me. Is it capable of smoothly running Vista Home Premium and Windows Aero? I don't plan on playing any games, I just want a PC that's capable of running the OS without any problems, and can do the basics. I will mainly be using this PC for listening to music and browsing the internet.

System specs:

- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
- AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ dual-core - 2.4GHz
- 2GB DDR2-667MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x1024)
- Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE

Thanks.

 

[BernardP]

It will do the basics, but...

the limitation of the 6150 SE is that it doesn't have a DVI output

The only available connection is analog VGA, a shame in 2008. This means a possible loss of picture quality when using resolutions higher than 1280x1024, but more importantly;

--- the inability to use the advanced scaling options normally available with NVidia graphics (1:1, preserve aspect ratio)

--- the inability to use the NVidia Scaling option to have the video adapter output good-quality grahpics at lower than native resolutions.

So the SE and LE (for Dell) flavors of the 6150 IGP are to be avoided. If you want to buy a HP or Dell computer with this IGP, make sure you select (or it comes with) an optional graphics card with DVI Output. Even a 8300GS will do. It's not expensive. Otherwise, you are losing some very useful features of the 6150 chip, as well as picture quality on everything above a 20-inch widescreen monitor, only because someone wanted to save $5 in manufacturing cost.

The fact is these optional videocards bypass the 6150 chip which then becomes useless. It has become difficult to find a pre-buit system with a non SE or LE 6150 chip and DVI output.

Just check behind the case to see if the DVI output is there, in addition to the standard blue VGA. You will find that the HP systems in stores often don't have the optional videocard and DVI output. You can easily buy it separately and add it yourself if you are not afraid of a screwdriver

As you can see from my sig, I have an MSI motherboard which has the regular 6150 IGP with both VGA and DVI output, and it works flawlessly. I can even play games at 800x600 with good quality.

If you order a Dell or HP model online, you can configure it with the required videocard.

EDIT: Frankly, if you want a well-balanced 6150 IGP system, you could have a local shop build one for you, starting with this ASUS M2NPV-VM motherboard

It would cost about the same as a pre-built, you would control all the components that go into the build, and you would avoid all the crapware that HP, Dell and other pre-builders put on theis systems.

I can suggest a configuration if you wish, and others will be pleased to chime in, I am sure.

 

[imported_sanjuro]

Very good information. Thanks.

That would probably be the best way to go, but I'm not really interested in going to a shop and putting one together. I like the convenience of just customizing one online. It's simple, and I can get pretty close to what I'm looking for in a computer.

I might just go with Windows Vista Basic & 1GB of memory. I'm not sure if I need all of the features that come with Premium. It'd be nice to have, but if I can skip that and get the price down to $499 (from $599), that would be a big help.

 

[s44]

It will run Aero just fine.

You'll be much happier with 2 gigs of RAM though.

 

[BernardP]

On the Dell.com web site, you can configure an Inspiron 531 with Vista Basic, 1 GB memory and a 8300 GS videocard for $409. Adding $130 gives you Vista Premium and the almost-mandatory 2GB.

You can have a look at this page from well-known Windows guru Paul Thurrots' web site to compare features of Vista Basic and Vista Premium:

http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/winvista_02.asp