Do I need a fancy Graphics card ?

[steveinspain]

I don't play games - main use is photo editing and internet or music, so my need for a fancy graphics card is minimal - is that right, or have I got it wrong ?
Currently I have one of these -
Asus ATI Radeon 3450 Vcool Silent 512MB DDR2 TV-Out/DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (EAH3450/HTP/512M)

I have a 24" dell monitor if that makes any difference, and am getting very sore eyes despite having a calibrated monitor - would a better card help in any way ?

 

[steveinspain]

Like Duke said, high end Graphics cards are for gamers or 3D modellers and people like that. For what you want you wont need something amazingly expensive. Also, about your eyes, how long do you use the PC for every day and how close do you sit to it?

At present I am sat infront of the pc for about 4-5 hours a day - often for only 10-20 mins at a time, but overall, 4-5 hours. I guess I hold my head about 30-50cms away, maybe slightly more. I do wear glasses for reading, and had an eye test about 8 months ago. My eyes feel like I am looking at a very bright light for too long - if I am out in the sun (I live in south Spain, so we get some !) I find my eyes get to feel worse sooner, like I cannot take too much light. I used to do some demolision work, using oxcy-acetelyn to cut sheet steel with, and if we didn't use a cutters mask, we got what we called 'Arc-Eye' - this feel the same but not as serious, if that makes any sense to anyone !

 

[steveinspain]

My eyes started to get bad about 5-6 years ago - we moved out here 7 years ago, so maybe the harsh sun is making it worse. I got the new monitor about a year ago as I thought it might help. I'll try lowering the brightness, and I do always try to have the main light, a 300w uplight, on full...
Hell, maybe my wild youth is catching up with me....

 

[steveinspain]

I did calibrate the monitor when I first got it, but will try again and also try lowering the brightness as well.