Wait for DX10 cards or buy now

[imported_slipperypete]

I'm building a new PC and want to know if it is worth waiting for the DX10 cards to come out. I don't play games and want a silent card. I'm thinking of the ASUS EN7600GS Silent. Any help is appreciated.

 

[gorcorps]

If you don't play or don't plan on playing then you're fine getting something now.

 

[dug777]

Since MS has already released the gfx requirements of Vista, and modern cards meet them, don't worry about it.

Id you don't game, why bother with a 7600GS? A x1300pro/7300GS would be more than sufficient...

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2825&p=6 is an AT silent card review.

 

[imported_slipperypete]

Thanks for your replies. I'm thinking I should have the 512MB memory because I plan to keep the card in the PC for 4-5 years.

 

[jasonja]

Originally posted by: slipperypete
Thanks for your replies. I'm thinking I should have the 512MB memory because I plan to keep the card in the PC for 4-5 years.

Umm.... 4-5 years? That's an eternity in computer years!

 

[BrokenVisage]

Originally posted by: jasonja

Originally posted by: slipperypete
Thanks for your replies. I'm thinking I should have the 512MB memory because I plan to keep the card in the PC for 4-5 years.

Umm.... 4-5 years? That's an eternity in computer years!

Precisely, not to mention 4-5 years from now "4-5 years" will be considered TWO enterities.

 

[imported_slipperypete]

I know it is. I want to avoid needing to buy another card in a year or so, however, so I want the best card for my needs right now.

 

[Creig]

If you're not going to be gaming, then you really don't need a card with 512mb memory. As dug said, an X1300 Pro or 7300GS will work nicely. Otherwise you're simply wasting money.

 

[PianoMan]

Yup - LONG time in comp lifecycle. I'd be surprised if you could get 3 years out of it.

I was upgrading my Dell Pentium II to the screaming PIII 733MHz. What graphics card? Voodoo 3 (heh - remember those?)?

PM

 

[aka1nas]

Originally posted by: slipperypete
I know it is. I want to avoid needing to buy another card in a year or so, however, so I want the best card for my needs right now.

It isn't going to happen. You would be much better off buying a reasonable card now and planning to stretch it out for 2 years or maybe a bit longer and getting another reasonable card then. I would probably define resonable as nothing much over $300. The X1900XT is about as high as I would go. Beyond that model, the price/performance gets pretty bad. The X1900XT 256MB version might be a better option as it will be a bit cheaper. There is also a X1950 Pro rumored to come out eventially that will around the $200 price point. The 7900GS would be a good buy if you want to go Nvidia.

 

[orangat]

Originally posted by: aka1nas

Originally posted by: slipperypete
I know it is. I want to avoid needing to buy another card in a year or so, however, so I want the best card for my needs right now.

It isn't going to happen. You would be much better off buying a reasonable card now and planning to stretch it out for 2 years or maybe a bit longer and getting another reasonable card then. I would probably define resonable as nothing much over $300. The X1900XT is about as high as I would go. Beyond that model, the price/performance gets pretty bad. The X1900XT 256MB version might be a better option as it will be a bit cheaper. There is also a X1950 Pro rumored to come out eventially that will around the $200 price point. The 7900GS would be a good buy if you want to go Nvidia.

You didn't read the OP did you? He doesn't play games.
A passively cooled 128Mb 7300gs or x1300 would do nicely.

 

[imported_slipperypete]

Thanks for the help and advice.
I was thinking the 512MB memory would future proof me a while.
Please explain which spec(s) would prevent me from wanting to keep the card for 4-5 years. I don't play games, I browse, watch movies, and do a little video editing.
Core clock 400MHz
PixelPipelines 12
Memory Clock 540MHz
Memory Size 512MB
Memory Interface 128-bit
Memory Type GDDR2

 

[Creig]

I would just get a low end card now (like the ones mentioned by dug) and replace it in 2-3 years with whatever is considered low-end at that time. Expecting to get 4-5 years out of computer hardware is iffy at best. Plus you'll be getting a nice speed bump and new features 2-3 years from now when you upgrade again.

 

[aka1nas]

Originally posted by: orangat

Originally posted by: aka1nas

Originally posted by: slipperypete
I know it is. I want to avoid needing to buy another card in a year or so, however, so I want the best card for my needs right now.

It isn't going to happen. You would be much better off buying a reasonable card now and planning to stretch it out for 2 years or maybe a bit longer and getting another reasonable card then. I would probably define resonable as nothing much over $300. The X1900XT is about as high as I would go. Beyond that model, the price/performance gets pretty bad. The X1900XT 256MB version might be a better option as it will be a bit cheaper. There is also a X1950 Pro rumored to come out eventially that will around the $200 price point. The 7900GS would be a good buy if you want to go Nvidia.

You didn't read the OP did you? He doesn't play games.
A passively cooled 128Mb 7300gs or x1300 would do nicely.

My bad, didn't catch the no games part.

You'll be fine with integrated video from ATI or Nvidia most likely. I would just grab a board with integrated 3d and a PCI-E x16 slot so you have upgradability in the future should you want it and call it a day.