Some questions about video cards (not a prob)

gandiva · 11-03-2006, 03:33 PM

Hey,

I'm planning to buy a new video card for my computer and I was wondering if it matters what kind of card (PCI or AGP) I buy. Can you use either of them? Is my computer only compatible with one of them?

Thanks

**ChAiNz.2da** · 11-03-2006, 04:02 PM

Without knowing what kind of motherboard you have, it's hard to say..

Most motherboards a few years old will have an AGP port (which is better than PCI).. however, if you can.. getting a PCI-E card is even better..

Yeah, all these PCI's flying everywhere

Just make sure to get the one with the "E" at the end (if your system allows it)...

Can you post your system... or at least the mobo you have? We might be able to better answer your question

ALSO, we have a new forum just for stuff like this

Might want to try your question there (or let us know and we can transfer it over there)..

http://www.lucasforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=691

gandiva · 11-03-2006, 04:11 PM

Well, the most I can say is that the computer I'm buying is this one:

HP Pavilion Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz Media Center TV Computer (M7680N)

Site for specs:

http://dpreview-cnet.com.com/HP_Pavi...&tag=nav.specs

Thanks, I hope this helps.

ALSO, the video card I'm planning to buy is this:

ATI Radeon X1600 Pro AGP 512MB Video Card

**ChAiNz.2da** · 11-03-2006, 04:18 PM

Hey gandiva I went ahead and moved the thread here to our Tech Discussion Forum. We got lot's of people in here just itching for questions like this

I left a re-direct in Ahto so ppl can find it

**stingerhs** · 11-03-2006, 04:26 PM

actually, you can't use the card your planning on buying with that computer. that computer uses a PCI-E(xpress) interface and not the AGP interface that card is designed for.

if you're looking for a very similar card for about the same price, this card will fit the bill plus offer better performance over the one you've been looking at.

gandiva · 11-03-2006, 04:39 PM

I see. Thanks.

I heard that AGP is better than PCI. I want my computer to be good and for a reasonable price. So, should I be looking for another computer with an AGP interface instead? I need a computer that can handle video-editing, pc gaming (meaning I can use anti alias, etc, without lag problems), and can do great with photoshop editing and Flash.

I'm also wondering what LCD monitor can handle these well.

Thanks for the recommendation Stingerhs!

**ChAiNz.2da** · 11-03-2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gandiva

I see. Thanks.

I heard that AGP is better than PCI. I want my computer to be good and for a reasonable price. So, should I be looking for another computer with an AGP interface instead? I need a computer that can handle video-editing, pc gaming (meaning I can use anti alias, etc, without lag problems), and can do great with photoshop editing and Flash.

I'm also wondering what LCD monitor can handle these well.

Thanks for the recommendation Stingerhs!

No no no! hehehe..

The system you have (or getting) already has the top-notch vid card slot

stingerhs recommended the best card for that system, to take advantage of the high speed graphics slot

gandiva · 11-03-2006, 04:56 PM

So... you're saying that computer is good and the video card that was recommended is good.

COOL! Then now I just need to find out what monitor suits that combination best!

*tk102* · 11-03-2006, 06:38 PM

stingerhs where were you a month ago. The x1600 Pro 512Mb card is the one I purchased. I didn't even see the x1650 at that time. Oh well. More room to upgrade later I guess. (Is that a silver lining or what?) But gandiva, FWIW, the x1600 Pro 512Mb is running Oblivion very smoothly with HDR and x2 AA turned on. So you'll be better than that.

Edit: ooh there's a silent version of the x1600 Pro click which would've also been nice, since it's the loudest thing in my Antec case. Oh well.

***Darth333*** · 11-03-2006, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk102

stingerhs where were you a month ago. The x1600 Pro 512Mb card is the one I purchased. I didn't even see the x1650 at that time.

I don't know where stingerhs was but I think that the x1650 wasn't out at that time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gandiva

I heard that AGP is better than PCI.

Yes, AGP is better than PCI but not PCI-e(xpress). The standard now is PCI-e and the only reason I see to get an AGP card right now is if you want to make an upgrade to an aging system to give it "a last boost" without having to change your mobo and CPU.

Astrotoy7 · 11-03-2006, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth333

I don't know where stingerhs was but I think that the x1650 wasn't out at that time....

lolz. indeedy. A friend of mine swears by his. He is considering combining two for a 1gb Xfire setup later on when games get a bit more demanding (at higher rez)

Its actually a MUCH cheaper option - getting 2x512 cards than 1 dual GPU 1gbcard - even including the fact you *may* need a new mobo with two(or more) PCIe slots in it

@gandiva - yes, as D333 mentions - PCIe and PCI are indeed different. Basically PCIe slots can utilise more power allowing for decreased latencies in processing, supporting higher transfer rates etc

mtfbwya

Mav · 11-04-2006, 01:47 AM

gandiva, as to your inquiry about an LCD monitor, depending on how much you're willing to spend you have a few options, personally I wouldn't go below a 19", but it's all to taste. Some of the "better" brands would be ViewSonic and Samsung also make pretty good quality monitors. If you're looking for a widescreen, this 22" is a quality product by Chimei, I haven't really heard of them before, but if you're willing to spend the extra money, a friend of mine purchased one and I can say first hand... it looks sweet.