Which Video Card for PCSC?(only 2 choices)

[RinkRat]

I am just not sure which is better for PSCS...

AGP8X w/64mb, or AGP4X w/128mb.

[KevC]

Whichever has better image quality. AGP4X and 8X is essentially the same, no cards today push the bandwidth barrier that requires even 4X.

I do not believe Photoshop uses onboard video card memory. It's only used for 3D. Photoshop is an cpu/memory-intensive application.

It's a big tossup. The SE are really toned down versions of ATi's line. While GPU performance hardly matters in Photoshop, it also affects image quality. 3rd party ATi cards that are low end (SE) have inferior RAMDACs and produce less image quality than their higher end counterparts. I'm not sure if this is the case with Built by Ati cards.

I have no experience with Quadros, except that I know they are optimised for graphics work. Not photoshop, but more like CAD and 3d rendering. I also know that the Quadro and GeForce line are almost identical, only drivers are different and some things are enabled on the Quadro that are not on the GeForce.

As I said before, image quality is the only issue while choosing between video cards. Just a simple google search shows me that the Quadro may be newer (PCIe available). The Radeon line dates back to Radeon 32/64 (I have one of these, they were quite nice... but GeForce2 era) and AGP4x leads me to believe it's not all that new.

Image quality has definitely increased over the years, so my vote is for the Quadro. Good luck!

[Jon]

Like with everything else in computers, go with the memory. Even if the app doesn't need it, it'll be useful for the system, for higher-res monitors, for paging, for other apps you'll probably want to use . . .

[Andy_T]

You might add another option ... other :D

My vote goes to Matrox Parhelia.

Best regards,
Andy

[iwatkins]

I'm with Andy,

Ditch the gaming cards and go for a good solid card like the Parhelia.

Cheers

Ian

[CyberDyneSystems]

Matrox Matrox Matrox....

[RinkRat]

Gaaaack! <*Falls over*> Did you know how much those matrox cards cost?!?!?!?!

see here: http://shopmatrox.com/usa/products/categories.asp?CategoryID=72&Column=2

The 2 cards I am deciding upon, I currently own. (need to save money for lenses ;) )

The ATI is in my old machine (P4 1.7 512MB ram, 400MHz FSB), and the nVidia is currently in my "new" machine (P4 2.8, 1GB ram, 800MHz FSB)

Looks like the majority is leaning toward the ATI.

Time to break out the screwdrivers... again...

[felix21685]

kev c how can you say that cards today dont use AGP 4x and 8x

i upgraded my motherboard from a highen agp4x to a decent 8x agp capable board
and granted everything should be faster because its newer the graphics i can tell are alot better, and i get a lot faster FPS with my NVidia 5900 series card.

[KevC]

kev c how can you say that cards today dont use AGP 4x and 8x

i upgraded my motherboard from a highen agp4x to a decent 8x agp capable board
and granted everything should be faster because its newer the graphics i can tell are alot better, and i get a lot faster FPS with my NVidia 5900 series card.

Don't believe me? Benchmark it. Set your Motherboard BIOS to AGP4x then 8x. There should not be a noticable difference.

AGP4x and 8x is bandwidth. Yes, you're right, newer cards are faster than older cards. I did not deny that. However, a 5900 will not use the full potential of AGP4X, let alone 8X.

Besides, we're comparing old cards here. Not blazing fast new ones.

[felix21685]

the difference is a few frames per second not noticable to me but it is a difference.
besides my board with 8xagp is also newer and faster than my old 4x agp was..