Why should I buy a new graphics card anyway?

highfield · December 26th, 2001, 06:29 PM

I have recently upgraded my pc. I have upgraded the mother board, the processor, the memory, the hard disk, the CD RW. Also some other stuff too insignificant to mention. I am tired.

I still have a TNT 16MB graphics card. What I want to know is what the perceived benefits would be if I upgraded it to one of the Geforce cards? I am not a gamer - I use my PC for Office 2000 tasks and for photo manipulation using Photoshop 6.0.

Should I bother with a new graphics card?

RADAR1797 · December 26th, 2001, 06:35 PM

I wouldn't. If you get into 3D rendering, gaming or video editing, then an upgrade may be in order.

-RADAR

Ultima · December 26th, 2001, 08:39 PM

He's right.

If the only things you'll be doing with it, are the things that you just said, then a TnT1 16Mb is more then qualified for ya.

NDC · December 26th, 2001, 10:07 PM

I noticed more crisp and brilliant colors on Geforce 2 cards vs. TNT2 cards...So I would say it would be worth the upgrade. TNT2 GPU's seem to render colors with less contrast and also tends to render images a bit fuzzy. And then again, most people don't look into to the monitor over 15 hours a day like I do looking at graphic files.... LOL

If you do mostly 2D graphics and can sacrafice 3D performance when or if you do play 3D games, you might want to look a into Matrox G series card...

Kuasimodem · December 26th, 2001, 10:15 PM

You could also check out the ATI Radeon 32Mb DDR, which has outstanding 2D quality, great 3D performance,and is a bit easier on the wallet than most of the others.

For example, it can be found at NewEgg for $64 including shipping.

Kruzin · December 26th, 2001, 11:33 PM

As NDC stated, if you are serious about 2D graphics display, and don't care much about 3D gaming performance, look at the Matrox Gxx0 series cards. Nobody can match their 2D display quality.
I run a G550, G450, G400, and G200 in my various systems, and no card I've tried can match their 2D display (although several beat them in 3D gaming speed).
In my office, I run AutoCAD on a G450 DualHead (twin 17" displays), and one other guy runs a TNT2 on the same 17", and another runs an ATI on a 21", and I can say without a doubt that the Matrox card puts out the best display quality of them all.

If 2D is your main concern, there is no better choice than a Matrox card...

Xeroid · December 27th, 2001, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kruzin
If 2D is your main concern, there is no better choice than a Matrox card...

Yeah, what Kruzin & NDC said! ^ ^ ^ ^

Get a Matrox when you get ready to upgrade. I just got a G550 and love it. I was looking for superior 2D graphics and I never game on this P.C.

Mike

highfield · December 27th, 2001, 04:48 AM

Thanks everyone. I'll take a look at the Matrox cards and give it some thought.

Bob The Great · December 27th, 2001, 05:42 AM

I don't know much about your current TNT card. But as NDC said you'll get crisper graphics with a newer generation of card.

Also you would get higher res, with less system inpact. I find the higher reselutions increadibly helpfull with graphics arts, and really just it's nice to have all that screen space!

G450's with dual heads would help this becuase then you will be able to hook 2 moniters to your PC.

highfield · December 27th, 2001, 06:03 AM

Thanks Bob, but your good advice came moments too late - I had just ordered myself a Matrox G450 based on everbody's input. Thanks again - I hope I won't regret it!