Video Cards

[news_reader]

I am asking this question here rather than in the videocard groups. I am
getting out of Gaming, but still want a video card for "video and audio"
stuff. I have seen some graphics type cards out there, but unsure of their
capabilities, and the definately compare their specs differently. Can anyone
give some advice? I have a 8x AGP slot, and was looking at a ATI Fire GL4.

 

[Wayne Stallwood]

I'd forget the Fire GL range it has been proven many times in the past that
they are simply very slightly modified Radeon's sold at inflated prices.

In any case the target demographic for The Fire GL series is CAD
workstations or other applications working with complex wireframes/simple
textures.

Personally if you are looking at doing lots of Media (video) work and
display quality is important, then I'd take a look at Matrox offerings.

However be warned that the 3D performance of the Matrox cards is way behind
that of ATI/Nvidia so make sure you are going to stick with that pledge of
getting out of PC gaming.

 

[kony]

I am asking this question here rather than in the videocard groups. I am
getting out of Gaming, but still want a video card for "video and audio"
stuff. I have seen some graphics type cards out there, but unsure of their
capabilities, and the definately compare their specs differently. Can anyone
give some advice? I have a 8x AGP slot, and was looking at a ATI Fire GL4.

You need to better describe the exact needs, "video and
audio" isn't all that helpful.

Audio is irrelevant and video?? Any semi-modern card can
display 50FPS in 2D, play DVDs, etc. Likewise they'll all
suitable for video editing unless you want a card with
hardware MPEG encoding assistance.

 

[Shep©]

I am asking this question here rather than in the videocard groups. I am
getting out of Gaming, but still want a video card for "video and audio"
stuff. I have seen some graphics type cards out there, but unsure of their
capabilities, and the definately compare their specs differently. Can anyone
give some advice? I have a 8x AGP slot, and was looking at a ATI Fire GL4.

I've been Nvidia for quite a few years.I've built a couple of systems
with ATI because the buyer wanted them.Never had so much bother with
drivers and hardware.

I now will never buy nor install nor fix any system with ATI cards.

My 10 penn'th.



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[news_reader]

Good old Kony, asks the hard questions...viewing video/DVD's looking for
sharpness,clarity, not break neck speed like the 6600GT I am using now...

 

[news_reader]

what madel Matrox? seen some with 32mb ram...

Good old Kony, asks the hard questions...viewing video/DVD's looking for
sharpness,clarity, not break neck speed like the 6600GT I am using now...

 

[kony]

Good old Kony, asks the hard questions...viewing video/DVD's looking for
sharpness,clarity, not break neck speed like the 6600GT I am using now...

Matrox is a good choice, though if you're using digital
interface to a flat panel it may not matter much.
The low-end ATI cards seem to me to have better analog than
nVidia's, but nVidia's drivers are better. Mid-range and
higher is splitting hairs between the two. The FireGL
isn't a low-end card though, your budget seems higher than
what you actually need spend for the described uses.

 

[kony]

what madel Matrox? seen some with 32mb ram...

Even a cheap old G450 would do what you described, though
perhaps a more modern card is what you're looking for...
pick the target price and go from there, all of Matrox's
cards are made with top-notch 2D in mind and all from G400
(maybe even G200) onward have great 2D output. Just don't
expect any of them to be even remotely close to the
performance of the 6600GT in 3D (gaming).

 

[news_reader]

Doing some checking around for prices in my area and find the Matrox G550(
32 mb ram) selling for $100+ CDN new and the G650 (64mb ram) $200+CDN.
Haven't scrolled ebay as of yet. I am going to say that the G650 is probably
overkill for a 1 CRT / or future flat panel system, that the G550 would do
it for me.....