Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: TheBoy on 15 October 2007, 12:56:51

Title: Need a video card
Post by: TheBoy on 15 October 2007, 12:56:51
As expected, trying to run the ATI X300 in my Vista media center at full HD resolution was far from successful!

Needs to be PCI Express, half height, fanless, not power hungry, and capable of decent performance at 1920 x 1080, 32bit depth.

Any recommendations?
Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: Martin_1962 on 15 October 2007, 13:00:45
Not a recommend as such but what was wrong with the card?
Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: TheBoy on 15 October 2007, 13:07:31
X300 doesn't have the power to run at a sensible speed at that resolution
Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: omegalord on 15 October 2007, 18:05:37
Whats ya budget?


Matt
Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: TheBoy on 15 October 2007, 18:44:00
Quote
Whats ya budget?


Matt
Not sure how much I would have to spend to get it to work well at 1920 x 1024.  I do NOT want it for gaming, but for the MCE (actually VMC). Just unsure of how much video power that will need.

Budget less of an issue - obviously cheaper the better would suit me, but the requirements are more important than the cost.
Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: omegalord on 15 October 2007, 18:58:30
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-118-AS&tool=3
Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: TheBoy on 15 October 2007, 19:01:49
Quote
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-118-AS&tool=3
Doesn't meet requirements set out in original post:

Half height (and I'll add single slot as well)
Fanless
Not power hungry (I think the PSU is 250W)
Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: Markjay on 15 October 2007, 22:53:56
Quote
As expected, trying to run the ATI X300 in my Vista media center at full HD resolution was far from successful!

Needs to be PCI Express, half height, fanless, not power hungry, and capable of decent performance at 1920 x 1080, 32bit depth.

Any recommendations?

DVI or Analogue output?

Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: Markjay on 15 October 2007, 23:38:15
Will any of these do:

Asus EN6200LE TC256/TD/64M (NVIDIA GeForce 6200LE)
http://uk.asus.com/products4.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=1165&l1=2&l2=6&l3=497&l4=0

Asus EAX300SEHM512/TD/32M (ATI Radeon X300SE)
http://uk.asus.com/products4.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=1367&l1=2&l2=8&l3=14&l4=0

Asus Extreme AX300SE-X/TD Series (ATI Radeon X300 SE)
http://uk.asus.com/products4.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=399&l1=2&l2=8&l3=14&l4=0

Asus Extreme AX300SE-HM/TD/128M (ATI Radeon X300 SE)
http://uk.asus.com/products4.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=481&l1=2&l2=8&l3=14&l4=0

The top one isn't actually X300, rather it's GeForce 6200, but still there is no mentioning of OS support....





Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: carper on 16 October 2007, 09:01:30
I've alway's used CCL for my PC gear, top class service and top class products. I live pretty local to them so collection is not a problem, although they do a next day delivery sevice. Check out some of their cards, I'm sure you'll find the right one.  :y

http://www.cclonline.com/product-categories.asp?category_id=257
Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: Jimbob on 16 October 2007, 09:15:29
How about

http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/components/msi-nx8500gt-mtd256eh-d2

they do a few that may fit the bill, failing that they sell kits to silence graphics cards
http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/vgacoolers
Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: TheBoy on 16 October 2007, 09:32:38
Quote
Will any of these do:

Asus EN6200LE TC256/TD/64M (NVIDIA GeForce 6200LE)
http://uk.asus.com/products4.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=1165&l1=2&l2=6&l3=497&l4=0

Asus EAX300SEHM512/TD/32M (ATI Radeon X300SE)
http://uk.asus.com/products4.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=1367&l1=2&l2=8&l3=14&l4=0

Asus Extreme AX300SE-X/TD Series (ATI Radeon X300 SE)
http://uk.asus.com/products4.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=399&l1=2&l2=8&l3=14&l4=0

Asus Extreme AX300SE-HM/TD/128M (ATI Radeon X300 SE)
http://uk.asus.com/products4.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=481&l1=2&l2=8&l3=14&l4=0

The top one isn't actually X300, rather it's GeForce 6200, but still there is no mentioning of OS support....

I have an X300 in there are the moment, but its not powerful enough  :'(
Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: TheBoy on 16 October 2007, 09:33:46
Quote
How about

http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/components/msi-nx8500gt-mtd256eh-d2

they do a few that may fit the bill, failing that they sell kits to silence graphics cards
http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/vgacoolers
Had seen that one, looks like the heatsink will foul adjacent slot though (there is a tuner in there)...   ...though that is looking favourite so far :y
Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: Nickbat on 17 October 2007, 20:59:43
I'm in the same sort of boat as you, TB. After my recent PC problem, I found my old AGP video card was redundant. The guy in the  shop told me that the on-board Nvidia 6150SE on my new ASUS mobo would be better than my old budget AGP card. It isn't. In fact, it's quite bit worse.

I've been looking at this site:

http://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials/Graphics+Cards/?x=12&page=1&p=cF9wcm9kdWN0c1BlclBhZ2U9MTAmcF9zdHlsZT1kZXRhaWwm

and at the same time had a separate window open on this site:

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2007.html

The Toms Hardware site really does show the huge difference between the various cards on the market. I know you're not into gaming but high fps rates at best quality (in games) necessarily means a better performing card, IMHO.

Anyway, I'm going back to draw up a shortlist. :y

Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: Nickbat on 17 October 2007, 21:12:23
Well, I think the Radeon ATI X1950 Pro is my favourite. You seem to get a lot for the £65 + vat, and Jaime, it supports widescreen HDTV apparently, see:

http://ati.amd.com/products/RadeonX1950/x1950pro_specs.html
Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: TheBoy on 17 October 2007, 21:31:10
Quote
Well, I think the Radeon ATI X1950 Pro is my favourite. You seem to get a lot for the £65 + vat, and Jaime, it supports widescreen HDTV apparently, see:

http://ati.amd.com/products/RadeonX1950/x1950pro_specs.html
My problem is a fanless low profile card. Made it a tossup between Nvidia 8500GT and ATI 2400PRO. Gone for a 8500GT, arrives tomorrow.

For MCE, 3d graphics performance unimportant.  The 2400, it seems, can only do 1080i with its onboard decoder, whereas the 8500 can do 1080p.

I shall find out tomorrow.
Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: TheBoy on 18 October 2007, 21:23:27
Fanless 8500GT runs the TV at full 1920x1080 nicely.  It gets friggin hot though...
Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: CaptainZok on 18 October 2007, 21:43:49
Quote
Fanless 8500GT runs the TV at full 1920x1080 nicely.  It gets friggin hot though...
Turn yer central heating down a bit then. Will save a few bob. ;D
Title: Re: Need a video card
Post by: TheBoy on 18 October 2007, 21:54:40
Quote
Quote
Fanless 8500GT runs the TV at full 1920x1080 nicely.  It gets friggin hot though...
Turn yer central heating down a bit then. Will save a few bob. ;D
Since replacing the OOF server, its been a bit chilly in here...  ...perhaps I should turn the heating on ::)