Video card recommendation

[Stunt]

I have an old computer but I absolutely love it, so keep this focused on what I am looking for.

Current Rig:
AMD T-bird 1.33ghz (w sk6 and low volted panaflo 80mm)
512 ddr memory
AMD760 chipset
ASUS k7 Master
ATI Radeon 64ddr VIVO
Hitachi 7k250 120gb
IBM 60gxp 40gb
Plextor 16/10/40x
Toshiba 16x DVD
Viewsonic pf790
Klipsch 2.1 w/ Audigy 5.1

I got this machine back in 2001, it was worth $3000 when I bought the sucker. It has been the most stable machine i've ever worked on and no issues whatsoever. What I am having problems with is two things...hard drive space and video card.

I've decided on a Seagate 7200.9 300gb ata drive, but video card I am totally lost.

I don't game at all...I use exclusively windows based applications, so I need good 2d. But at the same time i output (through composite) video to my 32" LCD tv; tv, videos, dvd, etc. Right now my radeon vivo is doing the trick, but I modded the gpu cooling to run fanless (my comp is dead silent) and i think it's starting to die. Which is fine, it's served me well over the last 5 years+. I would like a card I can send signal at one res, and keep monitor at another. I want good quality output to the tv and excellent 2d quality. If i remember correctly (used to be into the hardware scene more in my past), i might be limiting myself to ati aiw or matrox. Cost is a factor, but considering im not looking for a gaming card, this should not be an issue.

Recommendations? Thanks in advance.

 

[Steve]

AIW 9600

 

[rhino56]

just get a new comp

 

[loup garou]

Composite??? What LCD TV do you have? I can't believe it doesn't have Component, DVI or VGA, not to mention at least SVideo!

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: loup garou
Composite??? What LCD TV do you have? I can't believe it doesn't have Component, DVI or VGA, not to mention at least SVideo!

Yeah it has all those.
My VIVO outputs composite though, I can change that with the new video card though.

 

[dartworth]

wow...that is an old rig

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: dartworth
wow...that is an old rig

I know...but for what i use it for...it's absolutely perfect.
I don't see how I would notice a difference if i had a faster machine.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: Stunt
ASUS k7 Master

Certain this isn't an MSI board?

Although it's possible my aging memory may be failing.

 

[Brutuskend]

I just bought one of these used for $165.00. And so far I LOVE it!

 

[funboy6942]

Something that old will the bios detect a 300 gig hdd?

I would say it is time to move up and upgrade to a PCI-e board so your LCD HD tv can take advantage of the HD decoding the newer cards like the x1800xt does. It will make the picture on your tv like the differance between night and day. Granted you wont game but it can be had for $250 and it will last you alot longer then any onther card you choose and the better cpu will let you crunch your work faster.

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: ActuaryTm

Originally posted by: Stunt
ASUS k7 Master

Certain this isn't an MSI board?

Although it's possible my aging memory may be failing.

Yeah sorry it is...my parents back home have the ASUS comps. my bad.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: Stunt

Originally posted by: loup garou
Composite??? What LCD TV do you have? I can't believe it doesn't have Component, DVI or VGA, not to mention at least SVideo!

Yeah it has all those.
My VIVO outputs composite though, I can change that with the new video card though.

Ok, that would be an important thing to mention to get you the best card for your needs.

Since you don't game, you could just do a cheap dual-head fanless card. I have an x1300 PCI-E fanless in my mediacenter rig...it was <$70AR and the component output to my 32" CRT is fabulous. I'm not up on who has the best 2d out there anymore though. I believe they make a fanless AGP version as well, you could use either one of the vga/dvi out to your lcd or component/svid/composite if you find it works better.

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
I just bought one of these used for $165.00. And so far I LOVE it!

lol...I don't game :S

Maybe I should consider upgrading...I've just done so much work silencing it, it's super stable and I don't see a point to more speed.

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: loup garou

Originally posted by: Stunt

Originally posted by: loup garou
Composite??? What LCD TV do you have? I can't believe it doesn't have Component, DVI or VGA, not to mention at least SVideo!

Yeah it has all those.
My VIVO outputs composite though, I can change that with the new video card though.

Ok, that would be an important thing to mention to get you the best card for your needs.

Since you don't game, you could just do a cheap dual-head fanless card. I have an x1300 PCI-E fanless in my mediacenter rig...it was <$70AR and the component output to my 32" CRT is fabulous. I'm not up on who has the best 2d out there anymore though. I believe they make a fanless AGP version as well, you could use either one of the vga/dvi out to your lcd or component/svid/composite if you find it works better.

Is that a matrox?

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: funboy42
Something that old will the bios detect a 300 gig hdd?

I would say it is time to move up and upgrade to a PCI-e board so your LCD HD tv can take advantage of the HD decoding the newer cards like the x1800xt does. It will make the picture on your tv like the differance between night and day. Granted you wont game but it can be had for $250 and it will last you alot longer then any onther card you choose and the better cpu will let you crunch your work faster.

What work am I crunching?

I web browse, msn, watch tv, dvd, listen to music, download a ton of stuff (media), sometimes online poker, not even office...

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: Stunt

Originally posted by: loup garou

Originally posted by: Stunt

Originally posted by: loup garou
Composite??? What LCD TV do you have? I can't believe it doesn't have Component, DVI or VGA, not to mention at least SVideo!

Yeah it has all those.
My VIVO outputs composite though, I can change that with the new video card though.

Ok, that would be an important thing to mention to get you the best card for your needs.

Since you don't game, you could just do a cheap dual-head fanless card. I have an x1300 PCI-E fanless in my mediacenter rig...it was <$70AR and the component output to my 32" CRT is fabulous. I'm not up on who has the best 2d out there anymore though. I believe they make a fanless AGP version as well, you could use either one of the vga/dvi out to your lcd or component/svid/composite if you find it works better.

Is that a matrox?

ATI

 

[TallBill]

There is a VIDEO forum you know?

 

[JujuFish]

Originally posted by: TallBill
There is a VIDEO forum you know?

I was wondering when someone would mention this.

 

[Insane3D]

IMO, it's time for an upgrade. Chipsets and CPU's have changed quite a bit from those tbird days. You seem to think that any new comp won't be stable since you keep mentioning how stable yours is...why is that?

You can upgrade really cheap to if you just pay attention to Hot Deals...I just upgraded my living room system when I snagged a retail Athlon64 3000+ and nForce3 motherboard for $99. I've got that running 2.5Ghz...for $99.

Just my .02...

 

[userman]

Originally posted by: TallBill
There is a VIDEO forum you know?

Wow you beat Nik to it.

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: JujuFish

Originally posted by: TallBill
There is a VIDEO forum you know?

I was wondering when someone would mention this.

I was getting absolutely no responses there.
Go take a look and you will quickly understand.

Beside this topic isn't any more strange than others on the forum

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
IMO, it's time for an upgrade. Chipsets and CPU's have changed quite a bit from those tbird days. You seem to think that any new comp won't be stable since you keep mentioning how stable yours is...why is that?

You can upgrade really cheap to if you just pay attention to Hot Deals...I just upgraded my living room system when I snagged a retail Athlon64 3000+ and nForce3 motherboard for $99. I've got that running 2.5Ghz...for $99.

Just my .02...

Originally posted by: funboy42
Something that old will the bios detect a 300 gig hdd?

I would say it is time to move up and upgrade to a PCI-e board so your LCD HD tv can take advantage of the HD decoding the newer cards like the x1800xt does. It will make the picture on your tv like the differance between night and day. Granted you wont game but it can be had for $250 and it will last you alot longer then any onther card you choose and the better cpu will let you crunch your work faster.

Stunt, I know you don't want to hear it, but a full upgrade really isn't that bad...the MediaCenter box I just bought was a Dimension 5150 from Dell...about $300 after I sell the 20" widescreen LCD that came with it. P4 820, gig of ram, 160 gb sata, dvd, totally dead silent. Toss in the $70 PCI-E vid card, and I was all set.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: Stunt

Originally posted by: funboy42
Something that old will the bios detect a 300 gig hdd?

I would say it is time to move up and upgrade to a PCI-e board so your LCD HD tv can take advantage of the HD decoding the newer cards like the x1800xt does. It will make the picture on your tv like the differance between night and day. Granted you wont game but it can be had for $250 and it will last you alot longer then any onther card you choose and the better cpu will let you crunch your work faster.

What work am I crunching?

I web browse, msn, watch tv, dvd, listen to music, download a ton of stuff (media), sometimes online poker, not even office...

Ok dick. Go put this into the fourm your supposed to and get no responses. You said in the OP that you do windows based stuff. It could be ANYTHING. I assumed not many people have a computer just for surfing and if they did there is NO POINT IN UPGRADING YOUR CURRENT SYSTEM! Buy the same sh!t you got now failing on you and stfu.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Will VIVO be neccessary, or only output?

If the latter, nearly any sub $100 AGP 4x/8x card (more leaning towards the $50 point or so) with the appropriate output types should be fine.

Start here, and obviously keep an eye out in the Hot Deals forum for a card with similar specifications with better AR prices.

Originally posted by: funboy42
I would say it is time to move up and upgrade to a PCI-e board so your LCD HD tv can take advantage of the HD decoding the newer cards like the x1800xt does. It will make the picture on your tv like the differance between night and day. Granted you wont game but it can be had for $250 and it will last you alot longer then any onther card you choose and the better cpu will let you crunch your work faster.

Absolute and complete overkill.

 

[Stunt]

I know i need an upgrade...
I'm just making excuses to not spend money, I can definately afford a new computer.

After all expenses and fun/entertainment, I save $2000 a month. Yay for being a 23 yr old new grad living alone making over $60k
After spending $3000 on a new bed, over $5000 on living room set, $2000 on dining room set, $2000 on LCD TV, and $2000 on a vacation in the Dominican, I really should start to save...