What graphics card for this system... ??

[kirkster]

Guys,
Gonna put a C3D 6300 on a P5D Asus Deluxe with 2 Gig RAM. Also, in a few months going to buy that big DELL 24 inch flat screen monitor.

I'd like some ideas about a graphics card pls. Computer will mainly be used for my MSc studies, video and photo editing, music and some gaming - such as Command and Conquer and Flight Simulator. I'm not a mega hard core gamer but I'm prepared to pay perhaps £200 or so for a card. I'm not a serious gamer enough to justify forking out £350. I am not strapped for cash but my baby daughter soaks up most of my money so bang for the buck is definitley on the agenda!!

My question is what do you reckon I should buy? The 8800 with 320 Meg RAM looks pretty good. Would I be wasting that CPU and M/B if I went for a Radeon 1950XT for only a £100? I've read that this card is getting a bit long in the tooth. I would also like to drive my existing VGA 19inch flat screen as a secondary display. Can you get DVI to VGA convertoers at a reasonable price?

Should I also pay a bit more and get the 6600 CPU?

I'd like the computer to last for a couple of years.

Your kind opinions will be much appreciated.

Thanks, Steve

 

[kirkster]

what do you mean "dual DVI" cable

Abyss,
What's a dual DVI cable? OK, wise guys, a DVI cable with two connectors. Seriously, what's one of these? Does it mean I have to use both outputs on the video card? But that'll mean I can't drive two monitors at once? I was hoping to drive the 24 inch doofer from one output and my currentl Siemens 19incher from the other....

Thanks for any clarrifications,
Steve