Suggestions for a good non-gaming video card?

[heffe734]

Hey everyone,

I'll be building a new A64 3200/3500 + MSI NEO 2 Platinum setup and need to choose a video card. Just wanted some recommendations for a non-gaming vid card. I will do some basic video editting and a little photoshop on the side...but mostly for general usage (internet, music, movies, etc) Any recommendations? Thanks in advance..

 

[EightySix Four]

geforce 6200, I believe they have hardware decoding of windows media HD so they would be a good choice.

 

[tripledeckerPBJsandwich]

I have a similar situation as well. Here's what I was considering:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...jsp?ProductCode=320675

Pardon my lack of savvy concerning video cards (I'm more of an audio guy), but will there be a large difference in performance compared to the geforce 6200? Again, I'm not a gamer and will be doing the same things as heffe734.

My main concern is having a card w DVI out.

 

[Kogan]

If you'll only be doing 2d stuff, then there's virtually no difference between any modern video cards and you can just pick the cheapest one. I'd suggest something like the geforce fx 5200/128mb ram which can be had for as low as $42 on pricewatch.com. All of the ATI radeon cards starting at the 9000 series are also good buys. An ati radeon 9200/64mb ram can be had for as low as $36 (this includes a dvi connector).

These of course are total dogs in 3d applications, but will work. If you want to double your 3d power though, and aren't afraid of used video cards, you can get a geforce4 or comparable ATI video card for around $50-60 from the f/s forums or on ebay.

If you plan on using an LCD monitor with a dvi connector, the radeon I listed above has one and you can get geforce MX cards for as low as $32 that have them. (just do a search on pricewatch for 'radeon dvi' or 'geforce dvi')

And try to get something with at least 64mb ram. If it's got 32 or less, It's probably an older generation video card, and I wouldn't feel comfortable putting it in a modern system. As far as I know, the extra ram doesn't benefit 2d much at all, but It doesn't hurt 🙂

 

[kmmatney]

I'd suggest the radeon 7000 as well:

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...tion=14-131-407&depa=1

I use it at work on a few computers and it works well. If you don't need/want DVI out, you can save another few bucks, but might as well get the DVI.

Or you can opt for a very cheap NVidia card:

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...tion=14-121-184&depa=1


Or a little step up:

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...tion=14-164-024&depa=1

 

[modedepe]

Radeon 7000 should be fine. I would get it over the 6200 since it's cheaper and passively cooled.