Comments

TheHappyFriar wrote on 10/29/2003, 11:20 PM
Well, the Matrox card supports 3 (4?) monitors. The Radeon's usually support 2 (one DVI and one VGA, but a DVI-VGA adapter is usualy included). The Radeon's will mostly help you in your future gaming endevors (ie Doom 3).

If you plan to edit in multiple monitors, get the matrox. All the extra $$$ in the Radeon's is for gaming. But, you can get the Radeon 9600 for around $150, so it's a nice deal. Also, the radeon's have different configurations. If you want the 2 monitors on one, make sure they have the DVI and VGA out.
rllagas wrote on 10/29/2003, 11:32 PM
Sorry for adding the question here.
My PC mother board is SIS650 board with integrated graphics up to 64MB. I just learned recently that it is a low end graphic card....although it is fine with vegas as i observed....i have other 3D animation apps which doesn't work well with it.

I want to replace the graphic card myself but i want to know what graphic card i should buy.

Can i just add on another graphic card or do i need to disable this existing card before i can install the new card...

Thanks
farss wrote on 10/30/2003, 12:30 AM
You need to disable the mobo graphics. Do this in the BIOS
TheHappyFriar wrote on 10/30/2003, 12:34 AM
First, make sure you CAN add a graphics card. IF you have an AGP slot, you're in business. If you have a PCI, there won't really be any cards that will give a boost.

If you have an AGP, find out it's speed (1x, 2x, etc.)

Then find a way to disable your onboard video. Sometimes it's in the BIOS, some times a jumper on the MB.

Finaly, find a graphics card that you can afford that will work. Buy it, turn off the onboard card, install new one, setup drivers, etc, and you're rocking and rollening! :)
jester700 wrote on 10/30/2003, 8:14 AM
I just recieved my Radeon 9200. For $70, it would do what I needed:
1) 2 VGA outs for now (one is DVI using VGA adapter)
2) VGA and DVI out for when I replace my cheapo 18" LCD (with only a VGA input) with a NICE one.
3) 128 MB RAM just BECAUSE. I forget what program was mentioned that wants this much RAM, but I don't want to buy another card for a couple of years.

The Matrox sure looks nice, but $325 is pretty salty.
TheHappyFriar wrote on 10/30/2003, 9:03 AM
Actuatly, with the 3d cards, you will unfortunitly need to buy a new one every couple of years if you play games or use 3d programs that are accelerated with them. Why? Microsoft's wonderful DirectX! The radeon 9500 (or 9600) and above support directX9, while the ones below only support 8.1. A couple 2 years ago I bought the Radeon 8500 with 128mb (no DVI though. didn't need then). It runs any directX9 game slow. So, if I want to play the newer games (and possibly use any directX 9 3d software) i'm screwed.

The Radeon 9600 would of been a more furure proof one, retails for $150 (can get for ust over 100 on pricewatch), and supports DirectX 9.

Oh, do things really look better when using the DVI hookup? I might buy the Radeon 9600 early next year, and am wondering if the extra $ for the digital port is worth it.
jester700 wrote on 10/30/2003, 11:06 AM
Games was not one of my issues. This is for my dedicated workstation. The last game I played was Battlezone II (1999). I hope no vid programs I might consider require DX9; that WOULD be a bummer.

And I probably will upgrade earlier than I think. That's the nature of the beast. ;-)

I don't KNOW that DVI works better with LCDs that accept it, but I've read it in several LCD screen reviews, so I made that a point. Since I didn't have to pay extra for it, I consider it a freebie.
TheHappyFriar wrote on 10/30/2003, 2:17 PM
I just took a look at the specs of the 9200. It seems like the 9600, but DirectX 8.1 instead of 9. Nice card! :)