Need to upgrade video card for vista

[dantis]

I built my system last year (first new-build), now I would like to upgrade to Windows Vista Premium OS, as it looks awesome, I ran the Windows compatability check, it said that I would need to upgrade my video card to get the full benefit.

I have just have the on-board video card that came with the mobo.

My question is which video cards would be suitable (if any) for my mobo.

My PC spec is as below.

Many thanks.

[glc]

How much do you want to spend? Just about any PCI-Ex16 card will be compatible.

We need the specs on that power supply too - specifically the amp rating on the +12 volt rails and how many +12 volt rails it has.

[dantis]

Originally Posted by glc How much do you want to spend? Just about any PCI-Ex16 card will be compatible. We need the specs on that power supply too - specifically the amp rating on the +12 volt rails and how many +12 volt rails it has.

OK, The PSU has a single +12v rail and the amp rating is 20 amps on it.

As regards to the card the compatability check I did said that to fully utilise Vista Premium I would need a video card with at least 256mb, vertex shader 3.0, pixel shader 2.0 and support WDDM. They suggested ATI Radeon X1800 series or better.

As I know nothing about graphic cards I would appreciate some guidance, I do not game I just want to be able to use the Aero features of Vista Premium.

Hope this helps.

[glc]

That power supply may not be able to handle a X1800. You don't need anything that strong to *USE* Aero. What is your budget? I'd think that a X1300 series with 256mb, as long as it does NOT use "Hypermemory" would be plenty good.

[dantis]

Originally Posted by glc That power supply may not be able to handle a X1800. You don't need anything that strong to *USE* Aero. What is your budget? I'd think that a X1300 series with 256mb, as long as it does NOT use "Hypermemory" would be plenty good.

Well as I don't game I am just looking at enough to use Aero, my budget would be up to about £100 ($190) maximum, but if I can get away with less all well and good, also if I get a X1300 series then I think my PSU would be OK.

[glc]

Really, Aero will *run* on just about any DX9 card - even the Intel GMA 950 and 3000 onboard video. It won't run on your GMA 900 though.

[freakitchen]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=GX-108-SP

It's completely silent, too!

FK

[dantis]

Originally Posted by Freakitchen http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=GX-108-SP It's completely silent, too! FK

Thanks, I have ordered the Sapphire ATI-Radeon X1300 Pro 256MB card from ebuyer, I will post my opinion on it once installed.