Which graphics card?

[SirLuthor]

I've been using 512 MB of RAM for a while, and, well it was certainly usable for me. Not optimal, but useable. I upgraded to 768 a few days ago, some improvement. If I were you, I'd aim for 1GB, but that should be good enough unless you want to do some serious video editing.

As for GFX card, I upgraded from Nvidia 5200 to 6600 a few weeks back, world of difference. If you are still using the video card your comp came with, upgrade it. No one really sells desktop machines with good video cards nowadays (nor have they ever) except for the odd one out like Alienware which designs gaming rigs.

As for which one to get, go for Nvidia Geforce 6600 or higher, and make sure it has the right type of interface, that is to say, AGP or PCI-E for your motherboard. I personally dislike ATi cards.

[darkknight]

why do you dislike ATi cards?

[glenc]

Thanks for the input guys. I think I might have a problem with the port though - its a dimension 2350 and I dont think it has PCI or AGP - but am trying to find out...

[MattClary]

why do you dislike ATi cards?

It's a fairly common sentiment amongst CGers, ATI works great for games, but not for professional 3D apps. ATI drivers can be problematic at times, nVidia seems to be less glitchy and more stable. You will hear plenty of people who use ATI cards with no problem, but they do seem to have more problems.

[mikeyb3]

ATI cards are garbage for 3D. They're excellent for games.

Currently, I have a 3DLabs Wildcat VP990 Pro.
It's got 512mb of onboard memory. It's sexy and well worth the money, especially since the price is lower due to 3DLabs' new release of the Realizm cards. There's even a setting for Maya. Unbelievable amount of geometry wont even choke the card. It's completely up to you, but if you're going to be a professional 3D person, why not have a pro video card? Ya know?

[jbw]

Thanks for the input guys. I think I might have a problem with the port though - its a dimension 2350 and I dont think it has PCI or AGP - but am trying to find out...
considering it's age I'd have thought it has an AGP slot.

I'd also suggest a gig of ram, if it can fit, and would avoid ATi like the plague. I had an ATi FireGL8800 which ruined a perfectly good workstation all because I was stupid enough to install it. :(

ta,
jbw

[SirLuthor]

why do you dislike ATi cards?
Truth?

I hear nought but bad reports about them. Even for gaming, I'd choose an Nvidia card over ATi, in general they're better, run faster (marginally, in most benchmarks I've seen), have better developer support (I've heard), run OpenGL better, work much better for Linux (again, rumours), plus, I've never had real problems with my Nvidia cards attributed to anything except actual manufacturing problems.

[Semi-EDIT] If it's a DELL comp, you make be f***ed regarding PCI-E or AGP slots. I've heard that DELL remove/disable them from the motherboards in comps they put together. Check, it should be the top most slot.

Actually, on reading the OP again, you say you already have a card. That means you (almost) certainly have AGP or PCI-E. Just look what type it is.

[lots]

Being 18 months old, and having an add in card will give you an almost 100% chance that it only supports AGP. However, Dell has been known to leave out AGP all together and just give you the onboard solution, and no AGP slot. We have several machines at work like this. Most of Dell's higher end PC's will feature an AGP slot, and now PCIe.

I hear nought but bad reports about them. Even for gaming, I'd choose an Nvidia card over ATi, in general they're better, run faster (marginally, in most benchmarks I've seen), have better developer support (I've heard), run OpenGL better, work much better for Linux (again, rumours), plus, I've never had real problems with my Nvidia cards attributed to anything except actual manufacturing problems.

ATI drivers in the past have been pretty shotty, they are getting better though. ATI has pretty much non existant linux support, which scares me since they're attemtping SLI type operation in the coming months :/ Which is entirely driver dependant in its current state. Nvidia cards support Open GL better, hence why they accell at the Pro level 3D apps. I've had issues with ATI drivers in the past, and I use linux, two main reasons I tend to favor Nvidia, even if they're not the performance champ ;)

[glenc]

Thanks all.

Found out that the geniuses at Dell only have PCI - (ie not AGP no PCI-E).

So that kinda narrows down the options somewhat!

[jbw]

Hmm... I should have googled.

http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/Dell_Dimension_2350/4505-3118_16-20717757-2.html

Seems you are limited with PCI, which nowadays for 3d work isn't recommended though the Maya guys here might be able to help you better.

Dell are odd with their choice of motherboard. Were they looking to save money? I suppose the majority of their user base won't consider upgrading.

ta,
jbw

[MattClary]

Found out that the geniuses at Dell only have PCI - (ie not AGP no PCI-E).


Not sure who gave you that info, but they are 100% wrong. I'm not a big fan of Dell, but am a big fan of truth and accuracy.


Dimension 4700: (http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/dimen_4700?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs#tabtop)
Graphics: The new 128MB PCI ExpressTATI RadeonT X300 SE graphics card for a true to life video and game experience.

And I know they have had AGP too. We use Dell at my office and I have had many of them cracked open over the years.

[glenc]

Unfortunately for me they definitely only have PCI, not PCI-E or AGP. Incredible really, but true

Been confirmed here by Dell themselves

http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_video&message.id=108582

The added issue I have is that the 3 cards that Dell recommends in this forum, ie geforce fx5600/5700LE and 5500 are only available in the US for PCI.

In Uk/Europe they are AGP

So, unless anyone has any bright ideas Im kinda screwed.....!

[jbw]

I think MattClary got a bit confused with which model Dell you have - Dimension 4700 in his post but you stated a dimension 2350.

Anyhow you're going to have to get what you can for your machine. Take a look on various retailers sites for pci graphics cards - I know you can get an FX5200 PCI for £50. You could also look at geforce 4 cards.

Alternatively eBay could be your new best friend. :)

Geforce FX 5700LE PCI (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27387&item=5187276151&rd=1)

ta,
jbw

[Vertizor]

You're going through a lot of trouble just so your friend can borrow your computer aren't you?

[glenc]

Should have mentioned, they've now bought themselves a new machine - a shiny new Dell Dimension 5000 - which is actually quite nice and good price too - oh and has PCI-E!

Having looked into graphics cards though I now fancy getting one as the basic dell one is rubbish.

I just dont understand why NVidia dont sell the geforce fx 5600, geforce fx 5700LE or geforce fx5500 in the UK - they are all available in the US for PCI cards and seem pretty darn good considering

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