PC Video Card advise needed!

Hi all,

I'm looking for a new video card for my home computer. I don't play games however I'd like to get something capable incase I ever decide. I do watch HD content and will be doing some light video editing of 1080P videos. I run a dual monitor setup and would love to have dual DVI output along with an HDMI out if possible. (just to keep my options open in the future)

My plan is to be under $50.00 after rebates/instant savings. I understand this is low and it will be a budget card at best. I'll include a link below to my current card. This card is old...and seems way weak.

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/d...ce-8400-gs

I saw the following in the slickdeals forum but the reviews are hit or miss.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applic...leOptOut=1

Someone mentioned this card to me. The reviews are solid but it doesn't have dual DVI.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Pro...6814125376

I want to run dual DVI for my dual monitors leaving my VGA open on my 2nd monitor for my other PC and it's KVM switch. If they make VGA female to DVI male adapters that could be an option.

Below are my computer specs. Now that I look back my rig is pretty old. I did upgrade to 4 gig of ram howver being a 32bit OS only a little over 3gig is usable.


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Model: GT5438
The following table provides the specifications for the Gateway® GT5438 desktop computer.





Feature

Specification



Processor

Intel® Coreâ„¢2 Duo E4300, Dual Core processor â–_Each core operates at 1.8 GHz
â–_Shared 2 MB L2 cache
â–_800 MHz front side bus



Chipset

Intel 945G chipset (Viivâ„¢ capable)



Memory

•Installed: 2048 MB DDR2, 533 MHz, (PC4200) dual channel memory (two 1024 MB DIMMs)
•Expandable to: 4 GB (4 DDR2 DIMM slots)



Hard Drive

320 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA II hard drive
Support for up to two hard drives



Optical Drive

DVD ±RW, 16X multi-format dual layer drive â–_Write max: 16X DVD±R, 6X DVD-RW, 8X DVD+RW, 4X DVD+R DL, 40X CD-R, 24X CD-RW
â–_Read max: 16X DVD-ROM, 40X CD-ROM



Media Card Reader

15-in-1 high speed digital media manager supporting the following: â–_Compact Flash (CF) I, II
â–_IBM Microdriveâ„¢ (MD)
â–_SmartMedia Card (SMC)
â–_Memory Stickâ„¢ (MS)
â–_Memory Stick Duo (MS Duo)
â–_Memory Stick PRO (MS PRO)
â–_Memory Stick PRO Duo (MS PRO Duo)
â–_Secure Digitalâ„¢ (SD)
â–_Mini Secure Digital (MiniSD)
â–_Multi Media Card (MMC)
â–_RS Multi Media Card (RS-MMC) (need adapter)
â–_Multi Media Plus Card (MMC Plus)
â–_Multi Media Mobile Card (MMC Mobile)
â–_xD-Picture Cardâ„¢ (xD)



Video

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Up to 224 MB shared video memory




Audio

Integrated 8-Channel (7.1) High Definition Audio



Network Support

Integrated Intel 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN



Modem

56K ITU V.92 ready fax/modem



Power Supply

300 watt



Add-in Card Slots

•One PCI Express ×16 (graphics interface)
•One PCI Express ×1
•Two PCI conventional



External Connectors

•One PS/2 keyboard port
•One PS/2 mouse port
•One VGA monitor port
•One parallel port
•One serial port
•Six USB ports (four rear, two front)
•Two IEEE 1394a port (one rear, one front)
•One RJ-45 Ethernet LAN port
•Seven audio jacks (five rear, two front)
•One S/PDIF optical audio port



Drive Bays

Five total: â–_Two external 5.25-inch
â–_One external 3.5-inch (with a docking bay for optional Gateway 2.5-inch removable USB hard drive)
â–_Two internal 3.5-inch (hard drive)



Physical Dimensions
(H × W × D)

15.5 × 7.25 × 16.5 inches



Weight (Unpackaged)

Minimum 23.4 lbs. (varies with configuration)

Thanks guys,
Jeremy

Quote from LilLowEK : Someone mentioned this card to me. The reviews are solid but it doesn't have dual DVI. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Pro...6814125376 I want to run dual DVI for my dual monitors leaving my VGA open on my 2nd monitor for my other PC and it's KVM switch. If they make VGA female to DVI male adapters that could be an option.

Get an HDMI -> DVI adapter. They're common and inexpensive.

The 6570 is a good choice. I would go with this HIS IceQ H657QO1G Radeon HD 6570 [newegg.com] instead of that Gigabyte version for its superior cooling and smaller rebate for the same price. If you count shipping, you're going to be at $57 AR for those cards. For $60 AR, you could step up to a 6670 [newegg.com].

Quote from dhc014 : Get an HDMI -> DVI adapter. They're common and inexpensive. The 6570 is a good choice. I would go with this HIS IceQ H657QO1G Radeon HD 6570 [newegg.com] instead of that Gigabyte version for its superior cooling and smaller rebate for the same price. If you count shipping, you're going to be at $57 AR for those cards. For $60 AR, you could step up to a 6670 [newegg.com].

Thanks for the suggestions and help!

Another 10 dollars over the original plan isn't that big of a deal if it's a big difference. Could you school me on the numbers such as "6670" and why that makes it better?

I've been in PC hardware for a while but never really got anywhere with video cards. Never needed to except for running dual monitors.

HDMI to DVI adapter is an option I'll consider. Chances are I'll never need the HDMI port for anything else anyways. Just wanted it to have the option moving forward.

The first card you linked to has many reviews. Most pretty good. The 6670 has zero reviews.

Quote from dhc014 : Get an HDMI -> DVI adapter. They're common and inexpensive. The 6570 is a good choice. I would go with this HIS IceQ H657QO1G Radeon HD 6570 [newegg.com] instead of that Gigabyte version for its superior cooling and smaller rebate for the same price. If you count shipping, you're going to be at $57 AR for those cards. For $60 AR, you could step up to a 6670 [newegg.com].

I was looking over both of these and see a minimum power supply of 400 Watt is required. I have a 300 currently. What would happen if I didn't upgrade to a 400 Watt? Would the performance just not be there?

Quote from LilLowEK : I was looking over both of these and see a minimum power supply of 400 Watt is required. I have a 300 currently. What would happen if I didn't upgrade to a 400 Watt? Would the performance just not be there?

The 400W requirement is an overestimation intended to compensate for bad quality power supplies found in some systems. Most pre-built computers from big companies like Dell, HP, and I guess Gateway use higher than average quality PSUs so they should provide sufficient power.

Quote from dhc014 : The 400W requirement is an overestimation intended to compensate for bad quality power supplies found in some systems. Most pre-built computers from big companies like Dell, HP, and I guess Gateway use higher than average quality PSUs so they should provide sufficient power.

Thanks for the prompt reply. Much appreciated. I'll probably pull the plug on the HIS Radeon HD 6570. The reviews are solid. When I throw it in what might be a sign of needing a new PSU?

Quote from LilLowEK : Thanks for the prompt reply. Much appreciated. I'll probably pull the plug on the HIS Radeon HD 6570. The reviews are solid. When I throw it in what might be a sign of needing a new PSU?

If your computer turns off or freezes or crashes when doing graphically intense things.

Quote from dhc014 : If your computer turns off or freezes or crashes when doing graphically intense things.

Ah easy enough. As long as it doesn't burn my house down.