NVIDIA Geforce 9200 - Desktop integrated GPU, but what is it?

[Eug]

I bought an Acer X3400 (AX3400-B3802) to replace my Atom 330/ION setup as my main Windows surfing and VPN machine. The Atom will go either into a guest room or beside my TV.

I specifically got this machine because it has a decent CPU and it has the NVIDIA Geforce 9200, which is an integrated GPU with this Athlon II X3 435 machine. I figured it'd be analogous to the mobile part with full video decode acceleration, but I can't seem to find any specs for it.

http://www.acer.ca/acer/product.do?...nd189e.c2att1=27&ctx1.att21k=1&CRC=3526671012

What is this desktop Geforce 9200 equivalent to?

P.S. This machine comes with HDMI and VGA. If I want to add a second GPU just to get a second HDMI or DVI output, what would be the cheapest compatible card? The machine has a PCIe x1 and a PCI x16 port, but both are half height.

Would something like this or this fanless one work well, and not cause driver issues with the 9200? The first card comes with a low profile bracket but I'm not sure about the second one.

 

[toyota]

I think the 9200 has 8 sp so its equivalent to a turtle.

 

[Eug]

So it's faster than a rabbit then?

 

[Arkaign]

I've used one of those before, it was fast enough for 720p mkvs using CCCP through WMP/MPC, 720p youtube, but not fast enough for gaming or 1080p.

 

[toyota]

So it's faster than a rabbit then?

that one rabbit only

 

[Eug]

I've used one of those before, it was fast enough for 720p mkvs using CCCP through WMP/MPC, 720p youtube, but not fast enough for gaming or 1080p.

Thx. However, did you try just using Windows Media Player with Haali Media Splitter? I find with ION and X4500MHD, CCCP + Haali is much weaker than Windows 7 built-in codecs + Haali, with the right GPU drivers. 1080p files that didn't work with CCCP did work once I uninstalled CCCP. 720p files always worked in either setup though.

What CPU did you have? For ION I was running Atom 330, and for X4500MHD I was running Pentium SU4100.

In any case, that's encouraging. It sounds like that at least for video acceleration, integrated Geforce 9200 is at least in the same ballpark.

 

[Blitzvogel]

If the ION or 9200 are purely taking care of the video decode and playback, the ION GPU will beat the 9200 (16 shaders vs 8), assuming the CPU doesn't get involved. If you wait a bit, you can get an AMD Fusion APU based system which will single handedly take care of all your 1080p watching needs and in one chip.

 

[Eug]

If the ION or 9200 are purely taking care of the video decode and playback, the ION GPU will beat the 9200 (16 shaders vs 8), assuming the CPU doesn't get involved. If you wait a bit, you can get an AMD Fusion APU based system which will single handedly take care of all your 1080p watching needs and in one chip.

Does it really matter if it's on the same chip though? I was going to wait until a small Zacate desktop came out, but then this machine went on sale.

4 GB + 2 empty RAM slots
Athlon 2.9 GHz triple-core
empty PCI slots, but slim design
Geforce 9200
$398 including 20" LCD DVI monitor, which also has built-in speakers.

I figured at that price I get a faster CPU, with enough GPU juice (hopefully) for basic video playback while keeping CPU usage to a minimum. I didn't expect to be able to get a brand new desktop Zacate system with 20" monitor for quite that cheap. And as an added bonus the Acer provides two free PCIe slots. I'll test it for a week before the final decision is made though. It will surf much better (incl. Flash) than the Atom setup, but the only real concern I have now (beside the video playback) is fan noise. A few of the AMD Athlon II X2 systems were on display and were near silent. I just hope this X3 system is as quiet.

 

[rockyjohn]

For most, if not all motherboards, you have to disable the onboard video to run a discrete graphics card. Some motherboards will automatically disable it when a card is inserted. Your manual should have more info on this.

You can get recommendations for non-gaming graphics cards at several budget levels at:

[removed]

They also address low profile cards.

You bigger issue will be the PSU. According to the specs you linked, it is only 220w and may or may not have APC. Even low end cards recommend a 300w PC, although I am not sure how much lower you can actually go without problems. The TV tuner, and any other extra devices you have will also take part of the load. You should also check how many amps of 12v power are provided.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Equivalent to nothing, i'm pretty sure even an ATi Rage 128 would destroy it.

 

[Eug]

1. Quietness: It's not completely silent like my Atom 330 machine, but it's reasonable. With the computer 2 feet from my ear, it's noticeable, but not a deal breaker. It doesn't seem like most of the noise is coming from the fan. I think it's coming from the hum of the hard drive.

2. 1080p acceleration. Interestingly, it came right out of the box with Haali Media Splitter already installed. The only thing missing was ac3filter. 1080p BR rips play with less than 20% CPU usage.

For most, if not all motherboards, you have to disable the onboard video to run a discrete graphics card. Some motherboards will automatically disable it when a card is inserted. Your manual should have more info on this.

You can get recommendations for non-gaming graphics cards at several budget levels at:

http://www.upgradevideocards.com/nongaming.html

They also address low profile cards.

You bigger issue will be the PSU. According to the specs you linked, it is only 220w and may or may not have APC. Even low end cards recommend a 300w PC, although I am not sure how much lower you can actually go without problems. The TV tuner, and any other extra devices you have will also take part of the load. You should also check how many amps of 12v power are provided.

Thanks. I had forgotten about that. I did a bit of reading just now though and it seems some nForce boards allow dual Geforce 9 class GPUs to be used for cooperative graphics acceleration, and they don't have to be the same GPU. Is that true?

Despite the anemic power supply, I'd give it a shot anyway. 220 W is risky I know, but then again, I've crammed a Geforce 6200 into a Cube with great success, and that thing has a 205 Watt power supply.

I could get one of those fanless (aka low power) HDMI + DVI cards, and that would give me my two digital outputs.

However, after testing for a little bit, I'm OK stick with VGA + HDMI for the time being. VGA quality on the Acer monitor (1600x900) is mediocre at best - very slight ghosting. However, that's not a fault of the monitor. If I use VGA on my Samsung (1680x1050) it seems reasonable. So I'm using VGA on the Samsung, and DVI on the Acer.

Still, since VGA is a compromise, I'm gonna have to keep my eye for a GPU that has:

1) HDMI + DVI, or 2 x HDMI
2) Half-height compatible, with the low profile bracket included.
3) Preferably fanless
4) Full HD video acceleration
5) Under $40.

I don't care about gaming at all on this machine. I'll use my Xbox 360 for that.

P.S. I'm amused the ATI Rage 128 was mentioned. That Cube I was talking about came with a Rage 128. However, that doesn't support Quartz Extreme, or Core Image. The Geforce 6200 supports both obviously.

 

[RavenSEAL]

1. Quietness: It's not completely silent like my Atom 330 machine, but it's reasonable. With the computer 2 feet from my ear, it's noticeable, but not a deal breaker. It doesn't seem like most of the noise is coming from the fan. I think it's coming from the hum of the hard drive.

2. 1080p acceleration. Interestingly, it came right out of the box with Haali Media Splitter already installed. The only thing missing was ac3filter. 1080p BR rips play with less than 20% CPU usage.



Thanks. I had forgotten about that. I did a bit of reading just now though and it seems some nForce boards allow dual Geforce 9 class GPUs to be used for cooperative graphics acceleration, and they don't have to be the same GPU. Is that true?

Well, I'd give it a shot anyway. 220 W is risky I know, but then again, I've crammed a Geforce 6200 into a Cube with great success, and that thing has a 205 Watt power supply.

I could get one of those fanless (aka low power) HDMI + DVI cards, and that would give me my two digital outputs.

However, after testing for a little bit, I'm OK stick with VGA + HDMI for the time being. VGA quality on the Acer monitor (1600x900) is mediocre at best - very slight ghosting. However, that's not a fault of the monitor. If I use VGA on my Samsung (1680x1050) it seems reasonable. So I'm using VGA on the Samsung, and DVI on the Acer.

Still, since VGA is a compromise, I'm gonna have to keep my eye for a GPU that has:

1) HDMI + DVI, or 2 x HDMI
2) Half-height compatible, with the low profile bracket included.
3) Preferably fanless
4) Under $40.

P.S. I'm amused the ATI Rage 128 was mentioned. That Cube I was talking about came with a Rage 128. However, that doesn't support Quartz Extreme, or Core Image. The Geforce 6200 supports both obviously.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127544

I was joking about the Rage 128

 

[Eug]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127544

Heh. Excellent. The Radeon 4350 with DVI + HDMI is only $1 more on the Canadian site, and only $4.99 shipping:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...-544-_-Product

The also have the 5450 fanless for $3.50 more.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...-480-_-Product

I assume the drivers for video acceleration on Radeons are just as stable with Haali Media Splitter?

I was joking about the Rage 128

Yeah I know.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Heh. Excellent. The Radeon 4350 with DVI + HDMI is only $1 more on the Canadian site, and only $4.99 shipping:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...-544-_-Product

The also have the 5450 fanless for $3.50 more.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...-480-_-Product

I assume the drivers for video acceleration on Radeons are just as stable with Haali Media Splitter?

They should be. I would go with the HD5450 if you plan to do a bit of light gaming. Even for watching videos, it's worth the extra $10.

 

[Qbah]

Heh. Excellent. The Radeon 4350 with DVI + HDMI is only $1 more on the Canadian site, and only $4.99 shipping:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...-544-_-Product

The also have the 5450 fanless for $3.50 more.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...-480-_-Product

I assume the drivers for video acceleration on Radeons are just as stable with Haali Media Splitter?


Yeah I know.

Both the HD4350 and HD5450 have UVD2 and 80 shaders. There's absolutely no difference between them besides the HD5450 being able to transmit lossless 7.1 audio over HDMI and supporting DX11 (lol). Same process node (=same power draw). Hell, the HD5450 seems to have a smaller heatsink so it will probably run hotter

But 3 bucks more is so little difference you might as well get a card with a higher first number

 

[Eug]

FWIW the memory on the 5450 is 1600 MHz, vs. 1200 on the 4350.

I don't think I'd ever game on it, but full audio support over HDMI would be a bonus.

 

[Dark Shroud]

5450s get hot, they get very hot if the case is cramped with poor air flow.

 

[Eug]

Thanks. I had forgotten about that. I did a bit of reading just now though and it seems some nForce boards allow dual Geforce 9 class GPUs to be used for cooperative graphics acceleration, and they don't have to be the same GPU. Is that true?

It turns out it is, but seems to be only implemented on laptop designs with fixed OEM dual-GPU setups, and custom OEM-specific software.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/hybridsli_notebook.html

5450s get hot, they get very hot if the case is cramped with poor air flow.

There is a video-card length vent in the case directly above the PCIe slots, and it's not cramped at all in there around the PCI cards and CPU. In fact, I wish the thing were more cramped so this slim case would be even smaller.

There is also a vent directly over the CPU fan, with an intake right near the side of the fan, at the back of the unit. The air that comes out is not even warm.

This is the case, lying on top of my printer.

The grill on the left is for the PCIe slots, and the square grill on the right is for the CPU.

BTW, depending on what software I use, the card gets seen as either as Geforce 9200 or else a Geforce 8200. Video BIOS version 62.77.36.0.3.

 

[Eug]

It turns out it is, but seems to be only implemented on laptop designs with fixed OEM dual-GPU setups, and custom OEM-specific software.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/hybridsli_notebook.html

Hmmm... Whaddya know... There is a Hybrid SLI option in my BIOS.

It's greyed out. I don't know if it's greyed out permanently, or if I put in an NVIDIA GPU it would no longer be greyed out.

Has anyone tried enabling this on an nForce setup?