Cool and lite video card for Audio PC w/ heatpipe

[sanjay]

I'm looking for a card that's got a decent frame rate and DVI out, but I'm not going to be gaming, so it doesn't need to be spectacular. I'm planning on using the zalman zm80c heatpipe cooler to minimise noise.

Can anyone recommend good solid cards compatible with the zm80c, that will give me a nice frame rate and DVI-out, without breaking the bank? (eg. matrox p650 is out of my range)

thanks a lot...

 

[Snorkius]

I'll prolly get flamed, but...

I'd get an S3 deltachrome. The GPU uses something like 5 watts of power(don't quote me). 3d performance is by no means stellar, but it supports neat video effects and such. 2d quality is great etc.

Problem is finding one...

A long long time ago, but I can still remember, how that music used to make me smile... <A HREF="http://www.nexus.hu/zonix/DIGGER.MID" target="_new"><b><font color=blue>Digger rulz</font color=blue></b></A>

 

[sanjay]

thanks, but i can't find any of those cards!

what about this:
leadtek winfast a340td?

^does this card have a good rep?

 

[Crashman]

heh, the 9600 would burry it and comes with a passive cooler.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[sanjay]

thanks, this card looks good for me. Do you know how well that passive heatsink performs?

 

[sanjay]

also, which maker is the best, is sapphire ok?

 

[Crashman]

The 9600 is basically an underclocked 9600 Pro with slower RAM. The passive sink is good enough for most systems. Saphire makes good cards. But if you ever want to use the second output for a VGA monitor, you'll have to make sure you buy a card that includes the adapter, because those missing the adapter are also missing the second RAMDAC needed for a second analog channel.

You could see if a Zalman fits the 9600 Pro or XT if you REALLY want the best of both worlds, passive cooling AND high midrange performance.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[sanjay]

i've got a digital monitor atm. So, if i get another analog one later I can easily have one analog, one digital, right? even without the converter

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Depends on the card. As long as it has one DVI and one VGA connector you will be fine. Some cards only have a VGA connector (especially the cheaper low/mid range cards. Be sure to check before buying.

For a review of the R9600non-pro with passive heat sink check out these two reviews;

<A HREF="http://www.rage3d.com/content/reviews/video/sapphire9600s/index.php" target="_new">http://www.rage3d.com/content/reviews/video/sapphire9600s/index.php</A>

<A HREF="http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/radeon/r9600-2.html" target="_new">http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/radeon/r9600-2.html</A>



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