Which Video Card?

[Issachar]

I am moving from analog video editing to digital. So I have the editing part down pretty well.....
However, what a world when it comes to the technical aspect. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif
I am putting together a system that has a ABIT TH711-R mobo, RAID 0 HD's for data, 512Meg RDRAM and some editing stuff (starting with Pinnacle System's DV500Plus)
I want two monitors. Does anyone have a recommendation for the video card I should use? I want a 3D card with minimum 32MegRAM. Can this be done with $200 max?

Thanks for any input...
Issachar

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A happy campers life is intents.

[Issachar]

BTW, I'll be using Window98 SE.

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A happy campers life is intents.

[mjc]

Why 98se?

Your motherboard is capable of much more memory and WIn9x is limited to 512MB or (that is a practical limit...there are tweaks that can be done to let is use more....), win 2K (or XP ) can access and effectively use large amounts of RAM (1gig +) which is decided advantage in the area of video editing.......

Yes you can get one decent video card for under $200, but probably not two or a twin head card. and since there is only one AGP slot the second card would need to be a PCI card (unless the motherboard has onboard vidoe...but onboard video may not be the best thing for editing...)

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[Issachar]

mjc, thanks for the reply.
I actually want one video card that supports the two monitors.
Why 98SE? I've been told that it is very stable with video editing and that 2K and XP are buggy....
?
Issachar

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A happy campers life is intents.

[mjc]

Most of the dual head cards come from ATI (http://www.ati.com/products/builtdesktoppc.html)...there are Radeon series cards that should fit your needs...

As to the stability issues, generally the Windows versions built on the NT kernel (2k and XP) are much more stable than the 9x versions...

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[Variable]

Win 2k and XP can be picky about drivers but in the main NT kernel is more stable than 98 by a fair margin. I dont do video editing but i know some folks who do and large amounts of fast RAM are a boon. I would think you would want to go with XP and a gig or more of RAM if your doing alot of video editing. I would give Win XP a real hard look. Especially with a new athlon XP..
V

[jsgolfman]

Originally posted by mjc:
Most of the dual head cards come from ATI (http://www.ati.com/products/builtdesktoppc.html)...there are Radeon series cards that should fit your needs...

As to the stability issues, generally the Windows versions built on the NT kernel (2k and XP) are much more stable than the 9x versions...


nVidia actually has pretty good dual support with Twinview. Just make sure to get the Geforce3 Ti or the new 4's, NOT the MX series which is just a revamped Geforce2.



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Power is Knowledge

[Issachar]

Just an update....

I actually went with the Matrox Millennium G550 which will run two analog monitors, two digital or combination. Found on net for $114.

Thanks for input, Issachar

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A happy campers life is intents.

[fideleus]

what is wrong with the geforce2's?
gainward's MX400 vivo and Ti500vivo received good reviews on tomshardware???

[saphalline]

...went with the Matrox Millennium G550...Found on net for $114.

Wowsers!! Did you get me one, too? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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Windows 95: A 32-bit extension of a 16-bit overlay for an 8-bit OS that was originally designed for a 4-bit processor by a 2-bit company that can't produce 1 bit of good software!

[rond36]

I found that card for $90.00 here (http://www.pcdirectsource.com/Item.cfm?ID=631).

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