Minimum video card for AeroGlass

[magreen]

With all the reviews and talk about Windows Vista, I still haven't gotten a clear, solid answer from any tech site on what it takes to run AeroGlass smoothly with everything enabled. I'm talking about no 3d games, just Aero.

Will a $35 PCI-e card like a 6200TC handle it, or do you need something better? Am I right that no onboard video at this point is strong enough? What about a $50 card? $75? What's the minimum? I don't give a rat's behind for the Windows Experience Index. I care about real users' experiences. thanks.

 

[MarcVenice]

hmz 7600gs or equivalent should do. I know, I've run it myself. My videocard gets a 4.2 rating in Vista, out of 5. If that means anything to you. It's enough to run AeroGlass just fine, without a hitch even. So this should do: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130075

You might get away with something slower, but err I can't say for sure, and why would you want to, 65$ is a bargain, no ? Perhaps you could look into a cheap 2400 or 2600 ati card though, with some hdmi capabilities and what not.

 

[ProviaFan]

It depends on what resolution you plan to use, as well as the number of monitors that you connect. I've found that a Geforce 6600-series with 128MB of RAM, which should fall above the minimum requirements, gets sluggish under load with a single 1600x1200 monitor and four or five applications. Adding a second monitor only makes the performance worse. A Geforce 7000-series with at least 256MB of RAM should be adequate for the non-gaming power user, though I'm only guessing.

 

[Noema]

A guy here at work just got a 7300LE for his Vista, C2D rig and it works wonderfully. Aereo is silky smooth, and he has 6 or 7 apps running at all times, including stuff like DreamWeaver, Photoshop and others.

Here's one for $43. Plus it's passively cooled

 

[MarcVenice]

The LE might hog system memory though. I'd spend the extra 20$ or so for a card that doesn't, that's just my opinion though.

 

[Cerb]

Sony laptop with nVidia 6x00GT (64MB real, up to 256 total) and GMA 950: the nVidia was a bit choppy, The IGP was smooth as could be.

Old AXP box w/ 1GB RAM, FX 5200 128MB: worked great, like Intel's.

My guess? nVidia still has driver issues to work out. I don't know how much performance you need, having not severely stressed either system, but I'd avoid any that use TC or whatever anyone else calls their implementation, at least for awhile yet.

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
The LE might hog system memory though. I'd spend the extra 20$ or so for a card that doesn't, that's just my opinion though.

i really doubt it would use that much, maybe 128mb at most. besides ram costs nothing these days.

 

[magreen]

Thanks everybody all for the advice.

I'm planning on running 1280x1024 resolution, 32-bpp.

Cerb, you say the GMA 950 was smooth with Aero?
Anyone have any experience with the GeForce 6150 LE on Aero? I'm leaning towards an E521 from Dell.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: hans007

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
The LE might hog system memory though. I'd spend the extra 20$ or so for a card that doesn't, that's just my opinion though.

i really doubt it would use that much, maybe 128mb at most. besides ram costs nothing these days.

Thank you anti collusion laws

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: magreen
Thanks everybody all for the advice.

I'm planning on running 1280x1024 resolution, 32-bpp.

Cerb, you say the GMA 950 was smooth with Aero?
Anyone have any experience with the GeForce 6150 LE on Aero? I'm leaning towards an E521 from Dell.

I've got an asus mobo with 6150 IG, x2 3800+, 1gb ram, WinV....

Aero runs well, reg DVDs play without stutter. Similar build to the e521. Good foundation for an htpc . . . especially with a 2600xt & Fusion5