Question about my video card

[vinyl-junkie]

I wonder if someone could give me an opinion as to whether Microsoft is recommending that I get a different video card just so I will have one that is compatible with its new operating system, Vista, or if there is another compelling reason I should switch to another video card. Is the video card that I have really that outdated? To clarify why I'm asking such questions, a little background is in order.

I mentioned this in another recent thread, but I am a beta tester for Microsoft's new operating system, Vista. One of the practically inevitable consequences of that has been to discover incompatibilities between my PC and Vista, my video card being one. In connection with that incompatibility, I have received the following correspondence from Microsoft, which reads in part:

After checking the System Information you have attached carefully, I have found out that the Adapter Ram of the graphics card on your computer is 32MB and meanwhile it does not support DirectX 9.0.

Therefore, the major cause of the issue is that the graphics card does not fully meet the basic requirement of Windows Vista Beta 2 Ultimate version. The basic requirement is that we need a 128MB of graphics card which should support DirectX 9 effects. If we don’t have such a card, we still can use Windows Vista. However, this may lead to many specific Windows Vista visual effects and functions out of work.

The local computer store that custom built my PC recommended the video card, as I explained to them that I wanted to be able to do some video editing with it. I regret that I can't tell you the brand name, but what I have seems adequate for that purpose.

Anyway, I'm just wondering if you think I should really consider buying another video card, and if so, what you would recommend, as well as the approximate price I should expect to pay. Thanks in advance for your replies.

[oracleguy]

Well you don't need a good 3D accelerator and such if you don't use the new interface afaik, which you probably already knew.

However I assume since you are asking, you want to. How old is the video card you have now? With only 32MB of video RAM, I'd guess like 3-4 years at least assuming it isnt an integrated solution.

A new video card with those kinds of specs would probably be, i dunno, 80-140 dollars depending what you went with exactly and where you bought it. I got a GeForce 6600GT for like 125 or so back in May as an example.

[vinyl-junkie]

Originally Posted by oracleguy

However I assume since you are asking, you want to. How old is the video card you have now? With only 32MB of video RAM, I'd guess like 3-4 years at least assuming it isnt an integrated solution.

Nope, not 3-4 years old. I bought my PC in October 2005, which is why I'm so surprised that my video card is inadequate for using Vista. Not to mention the fact that one of the big reasons I bought the PC was for video editing, which it's done a fine job with.

Wow! That's a bit pricey for buying a new video card. I think when this beta testing period is over, I'll just revert back to XP Pro.

Thanks for the information.

[NancyJ]

You think thats expensive for a graphics card? Last one I got was around $370 and its not even top of the line.
If you want to use Aero then you need a fairly hefty graphics card.
What you were sold must have been really bottom end if it was new less than a year ago and only has 32Mb RAM and doesnt support DX9.
I guess you dont play games.

Video editting is very different than 3D rendering, video playback really doesnt ask much of your graphics card.

Vista's new Aero interface allows you to move windows around in a 3d virtual environment - cos that was really missing from my life - the ability to lose track of open windows in 3 dimensions instead of 2 I wouldnt touch vista with a barge pole personally - I have a powerful gaming machine - but that doesnt mean I want all that juice diverted to my OS. If I wanted unecessary whooshes and spongles and prettyness, I'd get a mac. What were they thinking?!

But I digress. Which card to get depends whether you're AGP or PCI-E, given that your computer is quite new PCI-E is a possibility, however given the specs of your current card, its probably AGP or onboard.
First thing you need to find out is what motherboard you have. Then you will know where to start looking.
You can pick up a 128Mb AGP 4x/8x with DX9 support for around $30 but exactly how good that would be... I dunno - I'm more of a $300 bare minimum kind of gal

[oracleguy]

Originally Posted by NancyJ

You think thats expensive for a graphics card? Last one I got was around $370 and its not even top of the line.

That is true, I typically top of the line video cards run around 500 dollars and thats before SLI, in which case you'd need two of them.

[NancyJ]

Originally Posted by oracleguy

That is true, I typically top of the line video cards run around 500 dollars and thats before SLI, in which case you'd need two of them.

Or 4.... have you seen the new Dell quad-sli?? /drool... but Dell... but quad-sli... ARGH!