Graphics card for new build, need advise.

[Poster Matt]

Hello Builders!

My new PC build is an Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 on a decent Gigabyte board
with 2GB RAM. I'm not a games player but will be using the PC (XP Pro 32
bit) for some video editing, and digital TV recording with a Compro TV
card, possibly some camcorder capture using the same TV card which has an
S-Video input. Otherwise it'll just be my principal work machine. I'll not
be overclocking anything.

Is there any reason why I shouldn't get a quite cheap video card, the one
I'm looking at is the XFX nVidia GeForce 8400GS 256MB? Should I go a bit
better and get something based on 8600GT and if so do I need one with
512MB or will 256MB be ok?

Thanks building gurus.

 

[Dave]

Hello Builders!

My new PC build is an Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 on a decent Gigabyte board
with 2GB RAM. I'm not a games player but will be using the PC (XP Pro 32
bit) for some video editing, and digital TV recording with a Compro TV
card, possibly some camcorder capture using the same TV card which has an
S-Video input. Otherwise it'll just be my principal work machine. I'll not
be overclocking anything.

Is there any reason why I shouldn't get a quite cheap video card, the one
I'm looking at is the XFX nVidia GeForce 8400GS 256MB? Should I go a bit
better and get something based on 8600GT and if so do I need one with
512MB or will 256MB be ok?

Thanks building gurus.

No, for video editing, throw any extra money at a faster processor and/or
faster chipset to support it. Any of the three options you list for video
card should be more than sufficient. -Dave

 

[Poster Matt]

No, for video editing, throw any extra money at a faster processor
and/or faster chipset to support it. Any of the three options you list
for video card should be more than sufficient. -Dave

Thanks Dave. That's what I thought, just wanted to check with the big boys
(who love their toys).

 

[Fishface]

Is there any reason why I shouldn't get a quite cheap video card, the
one I'm looking at is the XFX nVidia GeForce 8400GS 256MB? Should
I go a bit better and get something based on 8600GT and if so do I need
one with 512MB or will 256MB be ok?

I know that *some* video editing applications can take advantage of the
capabilities of the graphics card. Here's an article, I'm not sure when it
was written: http://www.videoguys.com/DIY-GPU.html

The 8400GS has only a 64 bit memory interface vs. the 8500GS' 128 bit.
I'm not sure how that would effect you though. Which apps were you
planning to use?

 

[Poster Matt]

I know that *some* video editing applications can take advantage of the
capabilities of the graphics card. Here's an article, I'm not sure when it
was written: http://www.videoguys.com/DIY-GPU.html

The 8400GS has only a 64 bit memory interface vs. the 8500GS' 128 bit.
I'm not sure how that would effect you though. Which apps were you
planning to use?

Thanks for the article link.

Editing: Premiere Pro and/or Avid Free. Encoding: Procoder 3 + CCE 2.70.

All can utilize the dual core CPU (but not sure about Avid Free, its been
discontinued so will have to find a copy on the web).

On the specs pages for each, only Premiere mentions a graphics card and
says a minimum of '32-bit video card' so no problem with that, the XFX
nVidia GeForce 8400GS 256MB is 64 bit.

Cheers.

 

[Fishface]

My new PC build is an Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 on a decent Gigabyte board with 2GB RAM. I'm not a games player but will
be using the PC (XP Pro 32 bit) for some video editing, and digital TV recording with a Compro TV card, possibly some
camcorder capture using the same TV card which has an S-Video input. Otherwise it'll just be my principal work
machine. I'll not be overclocking anything.

Oh, did you buy your CPU yet? The new E8400 is out and it costs less!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

 

[Fishface]

Oh, did you buy your CPU yet? The new E8400 is out and it costs less!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Actually, much less after price gouging subsides. At the moment, mwave.com
has them for less. 45nm should run a lot cooler. Too bad you don't overclock!

 

[Poster Matt]

Actually, much less after price gouging subsides. At the moment, mwave.com
has them for less. 45nm should run a lot cooler. Too bad you don't overclock!

Thanks for the pointer FF.

Here's a review with overclocking results too. I am now seriously
considering getting the Core 2 Duo E8500. My only dilemma is that the new
family aren't available in the UK yet, and expected dates are so often
unreliable! I'm emailing my (main) supplier now.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/intel-wolfdale.html

 

[jaster]

Hello Builders!

My new PC build is an Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 on a decent Gigabyte board
with 2GB RAM. I'm not a games player but will be using the PC (XP Pro 32
bit) for some video editing, and digital TV recording with a Compro TV
card, possibly some camcorder capture using the same TV card which has
an S-Video input. Otherwise it'll just be my principal work machine.
I'll not be overclocking anything.

Is there any reason why I shouldn't get a quite cheap video card, the
one I'm looking at is the XFX nVidia GeForce 8400GS 256MB? Should I go a
bit better and get something based on 8600GT and if so do I need one
with 512MB or will 256MB be ok?

Thanks building gurus.

You should get the video card that best for HD video playback. Sounds
you should also consider the ATI HD2600-HD2900 series. The GeForce 8600
GT is pixel shader model 4.0 with Directx 10, and you should only buy the
DDR3 versions. The 8400 GS doesn't do HD playback.

You should also check playback for your monitor type, VGA or LCD.

The S-video on the 8600 GT is output not input and you'll be better off
with a PCI Tv capture card anyway.

 

[Poster Matt]

Thanks for the pointer FF.

Here's a review with overclocking results too. I am now seriously
considering getting the Core 2 Duo E8500. My only dilemma is that the
new family aren't available in the UK yet, and expected dates are so
often unreliable! I'm emailing my (main) supplier now.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/intel-wolfdale.html

Thanks again Fishface, I got a E8500 for my build !!
Amazingly ahead of expected UK availability of end of Feb.
Makes a change.

 

[Poster Matt]

You should get the video card that best for HD video playback. Sounds
you should also consider the ATI HD2600-HD2900 series. The GeForce 8600
GT is pixel shader model 4.0 with Directx 10, and you should only buy the
DDR3 versions. The 8400 GS doesn't do HD playback.

You should also check playback for your monitor type, VGA or LCD.

The S-video on the 8600 GT is output not input and you'll be better off
with a PCI Tv capture card anyway.

Thanks for the advise I'll look at the ATI series. Re. the S-Video, if you
re-read my post you'll see I was talking about a TV / Capture card.