Is there a need for video card for a non-gamer?

[google01103]

Morning - I don't game at all, I do normal business, internet and multimedia stuff on a Nvidia 6100 nb board that's had the igp oc'ed (found a bios online at rebelshavenforum.com).

There are no perceived video issues that I can tell but I'm wondering if there'd be any performance advantage to adding a mid-level Nvidia card (say $50 used) other than freeing up some ram that's shared. Specifically would I get better cpu/ram performance or better oc'ing of cpu and/or ram ?

thanks,


hw: Bioisotar tforce-939, Athlon 64 x23800+ @ 2.6gHz, 1.5gb Corsair xms pc3200 @215mHz

 

[mruffin75]

I'd say no performance advantage....but you haven't really said what you're doing...? (I also find it weird that you're overclocking for "business" things...again...depends on what you're really doing eg. more info needed)

 

[AmberClad]

Does your board support more than one video output? If not, I can see that as being a benefit of adding a mid-range card. Especially for business use, I really like having the dual monitor setup.

 

[google01103]

Originally posted by: mruffin75
I'd say no performance advantage....but you haven't really said what you're doing...? (I also find it weird that you're overclocking for "business" things...again...depends on what you're really doing eg. more info needed)

What I do: compile some programs (as I mainly use Linux), run Windows XP under VM Player (occasionally), play/copy/convert mp3's and manage my mp3 player, watch dvd/videos, surf the web, word processing, little spreadsheet'ing

Why I oc - 'cause I can, 'cause it's interesting to see what I can get out of my hw

thanks,

 

[fleshconsumed]

No, there is no need for a separate video card for a non-gamer unless you're really short on RAM, you need more than one monitor or you plan to overclock your CPU a lot (many integrated graphics have problems with that).

 

[nitromullet]

The main advantage I could see with a discrete video card in your case would be a DVI output. If you run an LCD monitor, DVI offers much better image quality over VGA.

Why I oc - 'cause I can, 'cause it's interesting to see what I can get out of my hw

lol... interesting... so, what are you getting out of your hardware by ocing the IGP 6100?

 

[sutahz]

I have a computer w/ a integrated 6100 gfx chip. Sounds like yours gives a crisp clean picture. Mine however did not, so putting on a discreet video card made the picture crisp and clean. Put a discreet card in and see if you can tell the difference or not. Then you'll have yourself a definite answer.