non-3d dual-dvi cool running graphics card?

There's a similar thread running - "What graphics card .... non-gamer" and my requirements are similar but not the same, so sorry if the subject is getting done to death..

The only games this box will be playing are 1980s arcade stuff under MAME, so we can forget about 3d performance.

I'm putting together a quiet workstation, main use will be software development, Photoshop, multimedia authoring, perhaps a bit of music software (Cubase etc). Using a PaQ case paqt.co.uk so low heat and preferably passive cooling are desirable - the case has 3 fans in the middle shifting air. Q6600 cpu, 8Gb Ram on Intel DP35DP mobo, and possibly 3 HDDs if I decide to go down the RAID path (which the dp35dp seems to offer as the default) :confused:

requirements for video card:-

1. Vista 64 drivers available.
2. Dual DVI powering 2 x 20" TFTs running at 1600x1200, 32 bit colour, with Vista Aero on, comfortably ie with no artifacts when dragging windows around the screen.
3. Quiet and cool.

I've been researching this to death and wanted to figure it out without having to start posting on forums, but just when I think I've decided what to go for, there's something that puts me off.

Most comments and recommendations I've read would push me towards a 7300 or 7600, but the lack of dual DVI, obsolescence and worries over ability make me feel a modern card would be better.

The passive MSI RX2600XT gets a glowing review at trustedreviews but a less happy one at cpu3d.com which reckons an 8600 would be a better buy., although the fact that the RX2600XT runs at under 50C is a big bonus.. I've seen reviews of 8xxx series card running at over 90C which would be a complete non-starter for me. Temperature data for various cards is a bit hard to come by though when searching for info.

Like I say I seem to be going round in circles so need a push in one direction or the other. I seem to be coming back to the Gigabyte 8600GT card which is PCPro's budget choice at the mo', and gets a nice write up here at enthusiast.hardocp.com

But could I do better in terms of cool-running, given my 2x 1600x1200 32 bit requirements??

Driver obselesence isnt a problem for nvidia cards thanks to the unified driver for graphics cards, so the latest driver works on older cards as well as the latest cards. A nVIDIA 7600 with dual DVI and passive cooling would suit your needs, this XFX 7600GS fits the bill perfectly.

Nice one boss, I'll put an order in.

Kthnxbai



edit... how about Vista64 driver availability. Had a look on the xfx site and googled around, nothin conclusive ..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by grime_style

edit... how about Vista64 driver availability. Had a look on the xfx site and googled around, nothin conclusive ..

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You need to look on the nvidia site for drivers, not xfx. There are definately Vista 64bit drivers out for the above card.

Yeah cheers mate, I figured that out after posting, bit of a beginner at this, usually just bought off the shelf systems in the past...