Recommend me a graphics card, please?

[Belisarius]

Hi,

I've just upped my PC a little and put and E2200 into an Asrock DUALVSTA mobo to enable me to use my existing XFS Nvidia 6600GT GPU. Eventually I want to move to a new system entirely but in stages. First stage is to quieten things down a bit. The 6600 is a bit noisy so I'd like to put in a PCI-E card with passive cooling.

Now, I run Linux and don't at the moment play any games. I run 3 TFTs so it'll have to coexist with my Elsa Synergy 2 PCI card and have dual DVIs.

I know my mobo only has a 4x PCI-E so don't know if that makes a lot of difference. I don't want to spend a fortune (<£60-100) and I don't mind trawling round for a second hand if need be.

I would prefer to stick with Nvidia - partly as the drivers are better under Linux than ATI and partly...well I've always had Nvidia

I currently have a Zalman 400W PSU (ZALMAN ZM400B-APS) and may look to up that to a quieter model with more power for the future.

Any recommendations much appreciated please

Cheers

Andy

 

[jak731]

maybe try the 3600 (ATi) or 8600 (nvidia) series of cards?

 

[Belisarius]

maybe try the 3600 (ATi) or 8600 (nvidia) series of cards?

How much heat do the 8600 Silents generate? I'm thinking of maybe moving to an Antec 900 case to get better airflow?

Andy

 

[Belisarius]

Also considering Nvidia 7600GS 256MB DDR2 DUAL DVI PCI-E Graphics Card. This is silent, has the dual DVI I want and is cheap.

Any thoughts on this card? Comparison to my current 6600GT?

Cheers
Andy