Graphics card for Vista

[morino]

I'm making a second build for a Windows Vista computer. Can any1 recommend me a suitable graphics card in the sub $100 range? Very little gaming, but want to run Vista aero smoothly....

Anyone with experience can tell me if the Geforce 6100 or Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics sufficient for Aero interface? If it runs smoothly....

The planned rig:

Intel C2D E6320 (or quad core if friend can get it cheap through employee discount)
EVGA 680i SE SLI motherboard
2GB RAM, OCZ2N800SR2GK
Maxtor, 100GB, 7200rpm, 8MB Cache, EIDE drive*
Antec Solo case
Antec SmartPower 2.0 350W *
No optical drive (will be removed once software is installed)*

* components are reused or purchased at a great discount and will be upgraded on a need basis

 

[Lord Banshee]

Just a quick one here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...0048&Description=8500&name=Video+Cards

I would stay away form integrated GPU's as they share system mem and you want all the system memory you can get with vista. The more ram you have in vista the faster the OS is in loading information due to the superfetch.

 

[broly8877]

6100 will definitely not run aero glass smoothly.

I tried it on a 6100LE, had to disable aero to get it running well. Rest of the PC was fine (A64/1.5GBs of RAM)


Anyway, 8500GT

 

[RussianSensation]

Dual DVI 6600GT OC $30 PCIexpress

Great card for $30 if you are non-gamer.

 

[morino]

So the 6600GT would be able to handle Vista Aero just fine? I like the price on that one, and can do without gaming on this computer.

Also, I have an old Radeon 9600XT (AGP). Would this run Aero fine?

I realize that with the rig (specs above) I will not be able to install the AGP card.

 

[Lord Banshee]

yes 9600XT wouldn't have a problem with vista but with a 6600GT for $30 it is a much better card.