What graphics card?

[fileepfilop]

Hi!

I am building a PC and have put together the following spec, from scan.co.uk:

1 LN10804 Gigabyte GA-8I945P-G - FSB1066, PCI-Ex16, DCDDRII667,4xSATAII, Raid, 8ChAudio, Lan,ATX £70.30

1 LN11055 Intel Pentium® D 820 Dual core 2x2.8GHz 800FSB S775 2x1MB cache Retail inc.Fan (3 year warranty) £176.58

2 LN9871 512Mb DDR2 PC4200, 533 MHz, 2x32Mx64, non-ECC, 240 DIMM, unbuffered, CL4 Infinion Retail £49.56

1 LN7925 425W HiperPower HPU-4S425 4th Gen Quiet Dual Fan Active PFC (24/20 pin)(ATX/BTX) £35.12

1 LN9888 128MB Leadtek WinFast PCI-E PX6600 GT TDH 6600 GT £98.11

1 LN9867 CoolRiver Complete water cooler Deluxe Version (VGA/N.Bridge/CPU) using 120mm + Fan Cont £58.74

1 LN11657 200GB Samsung SpinPoint SP2004C 7200rpm, 8MB, SATA II Fluid Dynamic Bearings, 25dBA £63.39

1 LN11909 CoolerMaster Centurion 5 Case Black Body (Silver Trimmings) w/o PSU £41.13

Total: £595.55 + £15 P&P (hopefully can get it for free from scan.co.uk)


I need to know what graphics card to get as I don't know whether the one I've listed is suitable and it's out of stock anyway. I don't really know anything about graphics cards. I won't be using the PC for gaming, just for 3D modelling and rendering and Adobe applications. My current system has a GeForce4 MX440 which I could use until I have the funds and needs to upgrade. Would this be adequate? The spec I've listed includes water cooling which will cool the graphics card also so I won't need a fanned one.

Please help!
Thanks guys.

[unreal]

6600GT should be fine, since 3D rendering/Adobe isn't THAT stressfull on the GPU is it? I'm totally unsure, but I would say its a fine card.

[specofdust]

I would be inclined to double your RAM. 2GB is desirable for rednering apps. More so then a graphics card like the 6600GT imo.

[NightshadowUK]

Stick to one thread fileepfilop!

[npk2005]

Have a loot at the ATI x800GTO 256MB card or a 256MB x700 Pro.

[Thorsson]

Look outside the mainstream. There are cards especially made for this sort of work - Matrox spring to mind and 3D-Labs also. They can get pretty expensive though.

[fileepfilop]

Yea, kinda can't afford the proper stuff - just a student! Basically just want something that'll run the programs and not pay more than I need to. Not going to be gaming or anything - got enough distractions to stop me working as it is!!!!

[Xaar]

I'd swap out that 6600GT for a 256mb X800GT(O), which only cost an extra £10-20

[Thorsson]

I've got to completely disagree. Even the 6600GT is completely OTT if you're not gaming. An ATI X300/X550 would be sufficient, or even onboard graphics.

[Applecrusher]

My multimedia class uses FX5200's they do it all perfectly.. 3Ds max, Photoshop, Flash and notepad..

[YorkieBen]

you wont be able to use your MX440 in the new system as it is a agp card not a pci-e card (which your mobo is)

as said below, a card like the X300 or 6200 will be fine for your needs and alot cheaper as well

[nvening]

they are correct, and then spend the money saved on ram

[Applecrusher]

1 GIg is more than enough, its raw CPU power you will need.. zoom zoom

[specofdust]

3D modelling and Rendering? I don't know the specific programs, but most people say 2GB is a very good idea if you're doing things along those lines. 1GB certainly isn't more then enough imo.

[zachig]

I would definitely go with the 6600GT. I currently have XFX 6600GT AGP and I'm very satisified with it (altough, if I had the budget, I would go and buy a 7800GTX ).

The 6600GT will give you the best performance for the money you'll pay for it.

[rajindergill]

The spec looks okay, graphics card wise, but I would look at changing the power supply as Hiper 420W are the best (I've had problems with voltage spikes which I believe have caused more than a few problems). I would go with either Enermax or Antec which are slightly more exepensive (£10-£20) but will be worth it for a stable machine.

Look at lowestonweb for the X800GTO graphics card. Get either X800 or 6600GT, either will be fine for your requirements.