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

 

[Tute]

I'd say away from the 320MB GTS if you're going to be getting a 24" screen.

Beg/borrow/steal the extra for the 640MB version, it really is worth it - it's not much of a stretch either as I heard of one going for £215.

 

[setter]

get the 8800gts 640mb version, if your gonna get a 24 inch screen youll need it to run games at a good rate, the 320mb version is more suited to 19 inch monitors or 20's with less details

 

[ACESHIGH]

DVI to VGA converters come with most cards, so you may not need to buy them at all.

 

[The_Abyss]

The GTS 640 or the GTX at the moment, or wait and see how the 2900XT pans out with new drivers.

Unless you're heavily into video editing, don't bother with the E6600, you won't miss the extra cache and can overclock to the same levels with the stock cooler.

If you look at the GTS or GTX with a 24" screen at 1920 x 1200, you will need a dual DVI cable to run it at the top resolution.

 

[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