Non-Gaming graphics card?

[Athena]

I'm in the process of getting a new machine from Dell. I'll be using it for general business applications and some image/video editing. Dell offers a 256MB ATI Radeon X1300 Pro option but I'm thinking of getting an EVGA GeForce 8600GT 256MB instead. How do these two adapters compare? Is there anything about the EVGA card that would make it a bad option for me?

Thanks.

 

[JPB]

Originally posted by: Athena
I'm in the process of getting a new machine from Dell. I'll be using it for general business applications and some image/video editing. Dell offers a 256MB ATI Radeon X1300 Pro option but I'm thinking of getting an EVGA GeForce 8600GT 256MB instead. How do these two adapters compare? Is there anything about the EVGA card that would make it a bad option for me?

Thanks.

Compared

 

[CP5670]

If you're not gaming at all, there is no real difference between those cards. The X1300 will work equally well for 2D stuff.

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: JPB

Compared

Thank you very much for the link. The EVGA card seems to be better in everything but noise.

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: CP5670
If you're not gaming at all, there is no real difference between those cards. The X1300 will work equally well for 2D stuff.

Taking the ATI option will run about $30 more than adding the other card after the order a -- nd of course with EVGA, I get a lifetime warranty -- so even if there is no performance difference, it's probably a better deal.

 

[s44]

Well, the 8600GT will also do HD decoding. I suppose the 2600XT may be more efficient (65nm) on power and heat, but Dell doesn't offer that, right?

 

[Athena]

No, Dell doesn't offer any other options. I looked at 2600XT cards at Newegg but there seem to be quite a few returns on there. I think I'll start with the EVGA card; if it doesn't work out, I'll look at the 2600XTs again.

Thank you.