Two low end video cards for editing software. Which one ?

[donpedro]

I am realy not sure where to post this since my needs are due video editing software and I am not using video card for capture so I am hoping that this ir right place.

I am planing to use 2 monitor setup with Pinnacle Studio version 9 (hence DX9 requirement). I am not gamer, so my requirements are minimal. Other than planing to edit video in PS9 I am just browsing net and writing in MSWord. I am about to purchase new video card and I can't decide which one to buy. Here are my canndidates.

nVidia GeForce FX5200 128MB, 128-bit, 250/400MHz, DirectX-9
ATI Radeon 9600SE 128MB, 64-bit, 325/392MHz, DirectX-9

Both are in same price category, little bit more than $70. I am not looking for higher model, if I am not missing something that would make me spend more.

Any recomendations ? Thanks

[donpedro]

One more comment... 2nd monitor attached to my PC will be another "el-cheapo". Not very good Proview PL456s that I bought for $179 in BJ's after MIR.

[Will Hay]

Where you seen the 9600 for $70?
That's £35 to me (Ihave a pal in Calif who ships things to me in the UK, I could get him to pick one up fo rme; sorry for the semi-hijack - I did vote!).
Will

[mujahid7ia]

Where you seen the 9600 for $70?
That's £35 to me (Ihave a pal in Calif who ships things to me in the UK, I could get him to pick one up fo rme; sorry for the semi-hijack - I did vote!).
Will

It's an SE....ewwwwwwwwwwww! Underclocked core/RAM.

The 5200 will *probably* deliver better performance. 128-bit will also probably go a long way compared to 64bit in performance.

[donpedro]

Where you seen the 9600 for $70?

It's SE version.... 64-bit only... www.newegg.com

[Piccoro]

For 2d desktop work and especially dual monitors, i would buy the 5200.
I've always thought Nvidia to have better 2D desktop performance and settings.

For 3d or even better...DX9, that is a different matter.
I would buy the 9600se. Yes, even with it being SE.
Future Heavy DX9 title Lots of DX9 shader power.
Current Lite DX9 title Very little DX9 use in this game.
Current popular title

[donpedro]

5200 is on a truck... Thanks. I will post some test results when it arrives.

[rallynavvie]

I hope you got a branded 5200. Some of the generic ones don't play well with others. Also be sure you've got room in the PCI slot next to your AGP slot, the latest cooling solutions on these GPUs take up enough room as to horn in on the card next to it.

[donpedro]

I hope you got a branded 5200.

Not sure what do you call branded, but it's CHAINTECH (see the link).

ADDED PICTURE

[Piccoro]

Also be sure you've got room in the PCI slot next to your AGP slot, the latest cooling solutions on these GPUs take up enough room as to horn in on the card next to it.

Those would be for the 400$ Retail cards like some of the 5900 Ultra / 5950 models.

Chaintech is good.

[rallynavvie]

No, those can take over the adjacent PCI slot completely. Just the regular cards have GPU heatsinks that intrude on large PCI devices. I can only fit a NIC in next to my Ti4400 because of the HSF.

[Piccoro]

The top two reasons I don't put a PCI card in the top slot (PCI 1):
1) too close to the gfx card and you want it cooler, not hotter
2) PCI 1 usually shares an IRQ with another PCI slot

I doubt that that will get in the way.

[mujahid7ia]

I hope you got a branded 5200. Some of the generic ones don't play well with others. Also be sure you've got room in the PCI slot next to your AGP slot, the latest cooling solutions on these GPUs take up enough room as to horn in on the card next to it.

YES! I got a cheapo "Mad Dog Conquerer" FX 5200 and it really doesn't perform too well (and, to top it off, they spell 'Conqueror' wrong, with an 'e' instead of an 'o'!).

And Chaintech is a good company, yes.

My FX 5200 has a small fan that doesn't have much of a HS under it. But I'm actually not using any PCI slots.

[donpedro]

I am realy, realy pised off right now. They sent me 64-bit card

Anyway... here is guide for setting up Pinnacle Studio in dual monitor setup for nVidia cards.

[donpedro]

In addition here are 3DMark03 and 3DMark2001 SE results, but first little info about PC. I will update resuts as I will progress with my upgrade.

- Windows XP SP1
- AMD Athlon 1400 MHz 266FSB
- 512MB RAM DDR PC2100
- mobo chipset VT8366-8233
- AGP 2x only 32-bit support
- resolution 1024x768x32bit 85Hz

3DMark03 : 723
3DMark2001 : 4349

[Piccoro]

You must have your scores switched.
Did they advertise 128bit? Where did you buy it from?
If it was a respectable place (e.i. newegg) they would have no problems switching it out if you contacted them and complained. You payed the price of a 128bit card right?

Glad you went with Nvidia though? ATI does not have those dual monitor options in their control pannel.

[donpedro]

Yep... switched.... Thanks. I fixed it now.

Yes, it was newegg and it was advertised as 128-bit. I am going to call them today.

[donpedro]

One more comment. I discovered later on that in my BIOS I had enabled only 64MB and 2xAGP. So I changed it to 128MB, 4xAGP, Fast Write (or what it was) to enable and I was expecting better results. But they are same.

[Hardcoreruss]

No, those can take over the adjacent PCI slot completely. Just the regular cards have GPU heatsinks that intrude on large PCI devices. I can only fit a NIC in next to my Ti4400 because of the HSF.

Yes, mine takes up the slot below.

[donpedro]

Big, big disapointment.... That card "nVidia GeForce FX5200 128MB, 250/400MHz, DirectX-9" is in fact 64-bit. I discovered that after 2 calls to newegg.com. They fixed their description already.

Is it worth of finding 128-bit card or should I just forget about it and keep this one ?

[Piccoro]

See what they will do about your card and if you can switch to a 128bit one. Maybe pay the difference. If so, its a toss up. You might want to but is the effort and any extra cost worth it? You would have to decide.
If it was me, I would. :P

If they don't let you mail it back and put that money toward a 128bit one then don't bother. The difference isn't THAT big compared to the hassle you would be dealing with if they don't let ya switch it out. For just desktop work, the advantage I think would be null.

Here is a 128bit Chaintech 5200 128MB for 72$.

[donpedro]

Here is a 128bit Chaintech 5200 128MB for 72$.

It's PCI

[donpedro]

I have 2 options (not sure if they cover shippin cost)

- 1. Return it for refund
- 2. Exhange it for different one

But where is guarantee that it will be what they say that it will. Especialy the cheap ones... And do I want pay extra ??? Hmmm... and I thought that I am done with thinking about card

options are

$64 APOLLO nVIDIA GeForce FX5200 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "BLOODY MONSTER 3 GEFORCE FX 5200" -RETAIL

$72 eVGA nVIDIA GeForce FX5200 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "e-GeForce FX5200(128-A8-N306-LX)" -RETAIL

$85 ASUS nVIDIA GeForce FX5200 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "V9520/TD" -RETAIL

$89 APOLLO nVIDIA GeForce FX5200 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "BLOODY MONSTER 3 GEFORCE FX 5200 256" -RETAIL

$89 GAINWARD nVIDIA GeForce FX5200 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "FX PowerPack! Pro/680 TV/DVI" -RETAIL

$89 CHAINTECH nVIDIA GeForce FX5200 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "A-FX20" -RETAIL

$95 SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9600 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP - BULK -OEM

$99 CHAINTECH nVIDIA GeForce FX5600XT Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "A-FX60-X 128" -RETAIL

[mujahid7ia]

$95 SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9600 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP - BULK -OEM

$99 CHAINTECH nVIDIA GeForce FX5600XT Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "A-FX60-X 128" -RETAIL

I'd go for the Sapphire, even though its OEM, Sapphire's a great company and is also a good overclocking card. And it's a 9600, great price...

The 5600XT is also good, just about same features, don't know which would be the higher performer, though.

[Piccoro]

hah PCI.
your killin me man.
sry didnt see that.

XT in the ATI line is at the top.
XT in the Nvidia line is near the bottom.
9600 SE/ 9600/ 9600pro / 9600 XT
5600 XT/ 5600/ 5600ultra/5700ultra

But again, you probably want to stick with Nvidia for those desktop options and keep your setup as you have it.

Never heard of Apollo b4.
Any of the other 5200's are good brands. Just go by price.
I don't think you want to spend near 100$ even though those are slightly better (3D gaming) cards.

[pharlap]

well neither card is full directx 9 compatible

[donpedro]

well neither card is full directx 9 compatible

Why would you say that and can I confirm that ?

[mujahid7ia]

well neither card is full directx 9 compatible

They can run all the instructions from the D3D API, can't they? What does it mean to be fully DX9 compatible?

[rallynavvie]

With nVidia's unified drivers I think all their cards are DX9 compatable. It just depends on which drivers you're running.

[donpedro]

Just in case that anybody cares... here are results of my OLD CARD

PowerColor GeForce 2 MX 400, 64MB SDR, 128-bit, 4xAGP

- Windows XP SP1
- AMD Athlon 1400 MHz 266FSB
- 512MB RAM DDR PC2100
- mobo chipset VT8366-8233
- AGP 4x only 32-bit mobo support
- resolution 1024x768x32bit 85Hz

3DMark03 : 144 - only one game was able to run
3DMark2001 : 2989 - some test did not run