video card, sound card

[yangmanrui]

I have Dual Core INtel 2140 processor, 2GB RAm and VIsta Home Premium

1) If I wanted to spend up to $100 for a video card, how much of a difference would that Video Card make for someone who uses the computer for web surfing and Video (DVD) watching?


2) HOw about a sound card - would I notice some improvement in sound?

3) Which video and Sound card would you recommend?

thanks,

Man Rui

 

[peterhuang913]

I don't think sound card is necessary. Focus your cash on a video card.

 

[thebeastbeneath]

Most modern onboard sound is good by todays standards, I would agree with peter and spend the cash on a good video card.

 

[ohGrFreak]

In that price range, here's exactly what I have in my PC, the MSI 8600GT, overclocked from MSI out of the box. I could have suggested the XFX 8600GT that's overclocked to 620, but I factored in shipping with the 100 dollars.
Newegg.com - MSI NX8600GT-T2D256E OC GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics

 

[Puddle Jumper]

The XFX Geforce 8800GS is $100 after mir.

Newegg.com - XFX PVT88SFDF4 GeForce 8800GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics

 

[ohGrFreak]

^^ that only works if 1) you even ever get the rebate and 2) you have the full amount up front. all rebates are shams, if they wanted to have an incentive, just have a sale.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

^^ that only works if 1) you even ever get the rebate and 2) you have the full amount up front. all rebates are shams, if they wanted to have an incentive, just have a sale.

Not all rebates are shams. I have gotten excellent deals with them in the past.

 

[ohGrFreak]

Let me rephrase that.

There is a high chance that you may not get your rebate. That goes for any company, anywhere for any item. Not "all" rebates are shams, but sometimes they make it quite hard for the consumer to get said rebate. But then again, you might get it right away with minimal fuss. If you go the rebate route, good luck.

 

[yangmanrui]

Which one would you choose between these two:

a) Micro Center Online - the center of .computer shopping

b) Newegg.com - MSI NX8600GT-T2D256E OC GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics

How about the (Memory? - MB) - how important is it with cards? One has 256 MB and the other has 512MB

Man rui

 

[ohGrFreak]

Memory, not much, just make sure it's 128 bit and DDR3. I have not much experience with ATI cards, and the little experience I do have makes me bias towards Nvidia, so I would pick the 8600 if I had to pick between those two.

And you're asking what kind of performence bump you can get with either of these cards? Well, what card are you running now? Any? I mean, you're running Aero somehow...