Passive cooling video card

[mdrollas]

Hi, I am looking for a budget passive cooling video card to build a quiet system. Planning to spend around 50-55 dollars. This system is for my parents and they won't do any gaming. Maybe watch some DVD, MPG that's it. Basically 2D stuff.

Is 9200SE (around 48-52) good enough or should I get 9600se (around 66-75)?

Any suggestions?

thanks

 

[RussianSensation]

Since they wont be gaming, why not go for an even cheaper card?

I am sure you can find a lot of cheaper videocards for $25-30 like Radeon 7000 or Geforce 4 Mx420

just look on www.pricewatch.com

9200SE sounds alright you can pick it up for $40 with shipping too.

Why spend more money on a 9600se when they wont be gaming at all?

Also I was under the impression DVDs and MPEG format movies are more dependent on how fast your CPU is rather than GPU because they only run at 24 frames anyway.

 

[Cheetah8799]

9200 should be fine for what you are doing.

 

[Tostada]

If they're not doing any gaming, and if they're not going to set their desktop above 1024x768, then you'd be better off with nForce 2 integrated graphics:

This is a great NForce 2 dual-channel board with integrated graphics for $61:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-138-234

There is rarely any justification for getting a 64-bit graphics card anymore, because the nForce 2 integrated graphics are just as good as a Radeon 9200:

Tom's integrated graphics review

If you're going to use 1600x1200 resolution, I've heard people complain about the 2D quality of integrated graphics, but that's usually not an issue with non-gamers.

Although yeah, there's nothing wrong with the 9200SE. It has the DVI out, so it's the way to go for non-gamers with an LCD. The 9600 (not the 9600 SE) is a good 128-bit passive card for $94 if there's any chance of you wanting to play a modern game on their system.

 

[Cheetah8799]

Good point Tostada. Integrated graphics on the mobo will save a good chunk of money in the end if you haven't already purchased the motherboard. Some folks with nForce2 motherboards have issues with onboard video when they don't have dual-channel ram. I know I've had issues, artifacts, little static glitch thingies, etc.. So be sure to get 2 sticks of ram to run in dual-channel instead of just one.

 

[mdrollas]

Is nForce 2 that good? I have had bad experience with onboard video (ProSavage) and it was really really really slow.

Thanks for the info by the way

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

mdrollas:

To even compare the two would be like comparing how hot your fingers are compared to an oven set at 300°. Nowhere near the same.

 

[mdrollas]

Thanks for the advise and interesting comparison!

 

[Tostada]

Just look at the integrated graphics review on Tom's that I linked. The nForce 2 is pretty decent ... 88.5 FPS in Quake 1024x768 32-bit and 37.0 FPS in UT2K3 is pretty good. If you use 16-bit color, you can play modern games just fine.

 

[Ionizer86]

Just remember, getting two sticks of ram just for integrated graphics may not be worth it, especially since NF2 IGP's cost a bit more than NF2 SPP systems. It may be cheaper getting a discrete card anyway, in which case I'd spend $6 over $48 to get a 9200 non-SE.