Calling all computer literates

[Bax]

Help me choose a Graphics card!!

ATI or nVIDIA

For Vista.
I'm looking at 256mb minimum. 512 ideally.
Used mainly for Photo processing, photoshop etc, and Video editing.
Will be used eventually for gaming.

I want something less then 200. Fast/ Cheap and reliable.

Also on that note, has anybody got 2x512 sticks of ram, or 1x 1gb or 1x2gb sticks of ram they want to let go for cheap.

[pow3rslave]

nvidia, seriously

[50LTRv8]

Just go nvidia, the one time I went to ATI the text bounced around on the screen

Wife was not happy

Just make sure you goa 7600 GT or higher

50LTRv8@

[calais_cruzin]

7600 gt's are a big card they pump out alot of heat, u need a good flowing case as these suckers increase temps a fair bit.

They are a good card tho, just bit big n hot.

Personally i would go a card with a blower on it, pump heat right out the back

[Bax]

Name some models please.

[DANS_S4]

With the 8800+ series now readily available prices have come down a fair bit, but even so a really good card will set you back a bit.

PLE have the XFX 7600GT for 199 bucks at the moment.

Personally, if you cant stretch your budget a little more I'd hold off though as you'll want a directx 10 card to get the most out of Vista

[Spaced]

Try www.msy.com.au they come recommended by one of my mates. Check if you have a pci-x or an AGP port cause if you have AGP you will be limited.

D

[Bax]

pci express I have.

I'm contemplating dropping back to 256 and getting a high end 256 instead of a bottom range 512.

may have to run on board graphics for a while until I find what I want.

[shaggerz]

I have a Gigabyte 7600GT... its serious bang for your buck and comes in at just under $200. Have a look on www.tomshardware.com

they have it as best bang for your buck in that price range... and I would have to agree!! check out the VGA charts if you don't believe it.

Also don't put too much importance on video memory... 9 times out a 10 a card with 256MB is just as fast as one with 512MB... sometimes the 512 is even slower because of memory addressing for the extra 256 slowing down the process!!

[Bax]

Yeah shaggerz the 7600gt looks the go, its only 180 so it is definitely an option.

It seems as though I'm going to grab that and skimp out on RAM for two weeks, then I'll purchase another 1gb stick and I'll run 2x1gb.

I was keen as mustard on the 2x2gb sticks for around 600 but I'll just wait.

All up this pc has cost just over 1 grand. Pretty ridiculous when I started out only wanting to spend 600 or so.

[shaggerz]

I've only got 1GB of DDR2-800 and I have never had any problems or been remotely annoyed with that amount of RAM... just go with the 1 gig and only get another 1 if you get the ****s with it

[AttaBoy]

I got windows vista ultimate, trust me, 1 gig of ram is considered normal for vista in day to day tasks, but video editing and gaming - you're better off with 2 gig or more.

Make sure you purchase the ram in 2 sticks (1gig+1gig) so you can take advantage of dual channel setup. (Most current board supports it). Its faster.

Personally I leave my computer case one side open to get very good ventilation. You also can over clock you graphics card if you know what you're doing. I did it and got very good results.

[matty88]

I have a ATI Radeon 9800SE 128mb on Vista Ultimate, runs like a dream. But I'd get an Nvidia, just make sure it supports Vista

[pow3rslave]

Try www.msy.com.au they come recommended by one of my mates. Check if you have a pci-x or an AGP port cause if you have AGP you will be limited.

D

for real msy is the bomb, mostly.
their prices are stupidly low, a friend of mine is a licenced reseller and says they sell for generally 5 bucks more than they buy for.

only a couple of probs with them. a friend had a motherboard spac out, which isn't unusual, but they were pretty heinous to deal with with getting a replacement etc. i've had similar dealings, but with their prices it's worth the risk.

[Bax]

Yeah I've been aware of msy for a while now, only looking at buying from them lately though, I think I will restrain myself to getting just ram from them, if anything goes I don't really want to be sending stuff back further then local.

I am a bit suss on their prices, my supplier told me they were 10 dollars cheaper then the wholesale price on some items. Crazy really.

[pow3rslave]

yeah i don't know how, but they can do it, their merch isn't shoddy or anything, just if it break (and stuff does sometimes) it can be a pain to sort out through them.

[vr_owner]

another good site is www.centrecom.com.au look on there its the only place i buy my stuff from, besides thinks like heatsinks and that.

[holdensupporter2005]

for real msy is the bomb, mostly.
their prices are stupidly low, a friend of mine is a licenced reseller and says they sell for generally 5 bucks more than they buy for.

only a couple of probs with them. a friend had a motherboard spac out, which isn't unusual, but they were pretty heinous to deal with with getting a replacement etc. i've had similar dealings, but with their prices it's worth the risk.

MSY prices are excellent, but there service is poor. I rang up to see if they had a particular model LCD screen in stock, I confirmed the model number several times, and they said they had plenty in stock. Drove 3.5 hours to pick it up and they didn't have any.

[shaggerz]

MSY prices are excellent, but there service is poor. I rang up to see if they had a particular model LCD screen in stock, I confirmed the model number several times, and they said they had plenty in stock. Drove 3.5 hours to pick it up and they didn't have any.

agree.... their service sucks but the prices are unbeatable. I got numerous assurances from them that the video card I was after was fanless, only to get to the car and check and find that it WASN'T... bastards!