what card to get for non-gaming?

[milestones07]

Hi,

I've been browsing around the boards for a while. I'm wondering if someone could suggest a card to me for my new computer. I probably won't be using it for gaming, just normal computer stuff(browsing, word processing), watching DVDs and movie files. There's a chance in the future, I might want to play games, but probably not.

For reference, I'm planning on getting an X2 3800+, Epox 9NPA+ motherboard (non SLI), 2 Gigs Ram, and a 19inch LCD (maybe Dell 1905FP).

The card should probably be PCI-E cuz of the mobo I'm getting. I don't plan on doing SLI or anything. I'd rather not spend over $200.

I'm thinking I could get the 6600 GT or maybe the x800 pro, but I'm wondering if the 6600 GT would be good enough for my setup for the next few years. Or should I try to go for the 6800?

Thanks

 

[w00t]

X300 or 6200 would be a good card, but if you want to game your going to have to get a better video card than that.

 

[morrisbj]

If you know for sure that you won't game, pretty much any video card will suffice. If you think you will game go with the 6600/6800 or x800/850 (assuming you don't play the most graphics intensive games out there).

I personally play on a 6200 that does everything I want to do just fine. I doubt it would be great in any new FPS games, but video and TBS/RTS games are fine.

 

[Eureka]

LOL... your system is way overkill if you don't plan on gaming or doing serious application work. X2 3800+ and 2GB RAM?

But right now... the 6600GT is a great deal if you plan on doing light gaming... otherwise... a 6600 regular would do just fine... even a 6200 would do just fine.

Norm

 

[Piuc2020]

Get a X1300 card, great feature set at a very affordable price, it also offers some decent performance should you wish to play a game or two.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I'd get a 6200/6600 vs an ATI card, esp if you watch a lot of video.

IIRC, NV's PureVideo movie decoding is better than ATI's. But I'm not as up on it anymore, anyone care to correct me?

 

[Powermoloch]

6200/6600 will do wonders for you. or X1300 too

 

[Wreckage]

Yeah if you are not gaming, a 6600GT will work just fine. The purevideo feature will enhance your video watching.

 

[w00t]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius
LOL... your system is way overkill if you don't plan on gaming or doing serious application work. X2 3800+ and 2GB RAM?

But right now... the 6600GT is a great deal if you plan on doing light gaming... otherwise... a 6600 regular would do just fine... even a 6200 would do just fine.

Norm

wow, not everyone uses there computer for games its called multi-tasking. There are plenty of programs that he may use that could use that hardware. If i were you i would just get an x300 or 6200.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Grab a 6600LE or 6600 vanilla, and make sure it is the "silencer" version. so you get a wotking PVP unit for your DVD playbacks etc, no noise, cheap, low power consumption, devent performance for a 90ish dollar card. I think some of the mdoels come with dual DVIs.