Video Card recommendation for Dell 24"

[thecoffeeguy]

At work, they are giving me a 20" dell and a 24" dell monitor. I just have to put the specs together for everything.

So my question is, what should I look for in a video card? How much memory?

It is not for gaming, just business work. Specifically stuff like web browsing, email, DBA Tools (SSMS, Pl/SQL Developer, putty windows etc.)

I just want to make sure I get a good video card to get everything displayed nice and clean on the monitor with no lag.

Suggestions?
Thanks
Cheers,

TCG

 

[yh125d]

Integrated should be fine for just office work

But, it sounds like you're going to have two monitors? Depending on what outputs are on your motherboard you may have to have a dedicated card to have dual digital outputs.

 

[nobodyknows]

I'm running a 4870 with 512mb to drive a 24" and a 19". For general computing I underclock it to 500Mhz for the GPU and 700MHz for the memory. I run the fan in manual control at 35% and the card temp stays around 37 to 40 degress Celsius. I don't know if you need a card this good for strictly office work, but I just thought i'd share the info.

It's a Sapphire with the heat pipe cooler that takes 2 slots and I picked it up at New Egg for $165 shipped AR.

 

[Qbah]

I'd say get something passively cooled, like a HD3450 or HD4350. Or a HD3470 if you need 2 DVI outputs. I don't know of an integrated card that has two outputs.

 

[thecoffeeguy]

Thanks guys I appreciate it. Wasn't sure if I should go with 256mb or 512mb of RAM as well as the number of DVI inputs. I noticed on my 24" Dell monitor that it has two DVI inputs on it, so wasn't sure what that might before.

Thanks.

 

[Qbah]

For a non-gaming enviroment just get what's cheapest. 256 or 512MB doesn't matter, really. As long as it's a new or last gen card (8- or 9- series from nVidia, HD34xx or HD 43xx/45xx from ATi) you're set. Since it will be for office work I'd get what's the most quiet one (aka passive). Though you might have other priorities

Two DVI ports - 2 LCDs connected through DVI.
1x VGA and 1x DVI - you need to make sure one of the monitors has a VGA plug or that you have a VGA to DVI adapter

 

[LOUISSSSS]

GET THE CHEAPEST CARD w/ 2 x DVI ports sold currently.

otherwise you're wasting your money.