Non gaming card PCI-e ?s

[manikin]

I've lurked here for years, although seldom in the forums. I'm finally going to build a system, but I'm struggling with video card questions. I'm about to order the EVGA GEFORCE 6200 TC 128/256MB DDR PCI-E, but I'm not sure why.

I mostly do content creation as a small independent, primarily in 2D graphics areas that often find their way into 3D. I'll be doing more direct development for 3D shortly and test renders will by a part of that process. I seldom do games. My question is whether this card (PCI-e) makes sense?

So my understanding of PCI-e is the value is in the very fast data path. The memory has value to me because I run high screen resolutions and maybe a second monitor as well. Most of what I read about this card, however, and it's on the low end of PCI-e cards, regards gaming perfomance.

Moreover, I have little interest in using system memory for video (turbo cache) as I work in very large graphics files. Can anyone offer some insights?

PS. As a small independent, I'm always on a very tight budget. I'd like to wait for Conroe, but I'm going with the Pentium 805 for now with a GIGABYTE 8I945PL-G or GIGABYTE 8N-SLI (don't plan on running SLI, but other features make this board attractive for the $3 difference in price). Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[vois2]

For your rendering and production performance I would urge you to go with a minimum of the 6600 GT 128MB PCIe. You can get them for as little as $100 after rebate, and sometimes, $110 with no rebate.

The difference between an older GPU such as the 6200 and the 6600 GT is astonishing. The 6600 GT supports Shader Model 3.0 and uses third-generation memory modules (GDDR3), as well as full DirectX 9.0 support.

TomsHardwareGuide rates the 6600 GT as having a processing power 319% of that of the 6200 256MB Turbo Cache.

Also, please be aware that in any card of the 6600 GT and below, the difference between 128MB and 256MB of memory is nil. It's a marketing ploy to squeeze another $20 in price.

It's a good move to go ahead with the SLI board.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

If you ever want a low-end PCI-E card, I have a couple of 128MB Radeon X300s in my FS/FT thread.

 

[openwheelformula1]

I got a 6600GT for sale as well: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=45&threadid=1839009&enterthread=y

pics are available there.

 

[Geomagick]

Although the 6200TC is a reasonably competant card it gets it memory from system ram rather than on board.

The 6600gt is a very competant lowend card now and until recently was a midrange card for gaming. A 128MB version of this card will be more than adequate for all your needs.

 

[Rhezuss]

I work with AutoCAD 2002 and 3DStudio VIZ (rarely).

For your needs, i'd go more with a mid-end video card instead of a low-end like the 6200. The 6600GT is, for it's price, the best you can get IMO. It supports shader model 3.0 and has GDDR3 (which is a plus in 2d/3d apps). If you can get a 256mb version it would be better too.

But if you really want a low-end video card, i'd get a GeForce 7300 or Radeon X300 before a 6200.

 

[manikin]

Thanks for all the feed back. Having a couple hundred more to spend would make this all a lot easier.

Your points about the 6600GT make lots of sense. It would have never occurred to me as I haven't followed video card development. That's why I posted here. You've sure helped with that.

Thanks a bunch for the insights.