Boston Jeff
08-12-2007, 03:17 PM
Just purchased this system AMD X2 4000+, 2MB 667 dual channel memory and a 22 inch LCD monitor which comes with 6150LE integrated graphics and no DVI connection.
I want to buy a mid-range card that is both reliable and QUIET (seems loud fan noise is epidemic)...I believe the PS on the E521 is 305 watts. I'm not a gamer, I'm using Windows XP and will go to VISTA in the next year (when it is a more stable product in my opinion).
The suggestions I've received have been ATI Radeon x1650 Pro (although there appear to be many venders selling this at varying prices and I can't tell the difference between Sapphire, EVGA, etc) and the GeForce 8600GT.
I've been doing further research which is frankly leading to further insecurity about what to buy. Any suggestions would be appreciated as I've reached mental gridlock. Used to be Nvidia and ATI made all their cards...now a zillion others seem to produce the same thing under their own name which is incredibily confusing!! THANKS in advance for ANY help!
I want to buy a mid-range card that is both reliable and QUIET (seems loud fan noise is epidemic)...I believe the PS on the E521 is 305 watts. I'm not a gamer, I'm using Windows XP and will go to VISTA in the next year (when it is a more stable product in my opinion).
The suggestions I've received have been ATI Radeon x1650 Pro (although there appear to be many venders selling this at varying prices and I can't tell the difference between Sapphire, EVGA, etc) and the GeForce 8600GT.
I've been doing further research which is frankly leading to further insecurity about what to buy. Any suggestions would be appreciated as I've reached mental gridlock. Used to be Nvidia and ATI made all their cards...now a zillion others seem to produce the same thing under their own name which is incredibily confusing!! THANKS in advance for ANY help!