Best graphics card for video editing system

[sbrown02]

I'm getting ready to build a new setup (see specs below) to be used primarily for video and photo editing. I want a solid graphics card that will really perform (excellent speed and quality video) well doing lots of video editing and video playback. What card(s) would you recommend for the money (spend as little as I can but still get great quality and performance)?

Basic build spec:
- ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard
- Antec Sonata Plus 550 Black/ Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 550W Power Supply
- Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor
- CORSAIR Dominator 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
- SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor
- Probably Windows Vista
- Etc....

Thanks

[Kov-Ice]

Unless you're going to be rendering a lot of 3-D graphics in your video, then the card itself won't make a great deal of difference for editing. You'll want a card with VIVO, and/or you'll want some sort of break-out box for capturing any analog stuff. Does that mobo have firewire to use for capturing digital video?

[Devastator]

I know this isn't helping on the graphics card front atlgough I would reccomend an 8600GTS, a superclocked one espcecially, they are very fast. You could save some money by holding out on the X38 for the minute as I doubt your going to be using any of the benefits from it like overclocking loads, that RAM you picked out is for insane overclocking too really. 667 speed would do if your not going to overclock.

[glc]

I'd look into an entry level workstation card such as an ATI FireGL or Nvidia Quadro.

I'd stick with a P35-based board and DDR2-800 ram. The X38 and DDR2-1066 is not worth the hefty premium. I would not use 667 with a 1333 FSB processor though.

[SonicVanguard]

I'll second GLC - workstation cards will render/display RGB better than any consumer level card. And in video/photo work, it's all about true colors. If you go to color correct a video segment but you're not seeing correct colors from the start, you're output suffers.

I'm personally partial to the 3DLabs Realizm cards - but they're a bit past entry level. Either ATI FireGL or nVidia Quadro entry level cards are very good. Go with the company you prefer.

One other thing - don't do any video work in Vista - it's far too bloated. Everyone I know if the business has either stayed with WinXP Pro or migrated back to WinXP Pro. I don't know any video editor, post production house or motion graphics designer using Vista.