I need to find a great graphics card

[TechnicallyOpposed]

Can't find a straight answer when I'm talking to a salesman.

I'm a professional photographer that also does HD video and 3d graphics, nothing in the way of gaming, unfortunately. Anyway, I need a card that can capture HD video, be a tuner for HD, and has great processing speed for high res photos.

I'd like to avoid nvidia and get one under 300 dollars since this is a stop-gap measure until I can switch over to Mac for my photo processing.

Any help you could give me would be appreciated.

[aliquidparadigm]

Are we talking, like, an All-in-Wonder type card? Because those things were just re-released. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103062

The only thing in there that is going to be specific is the tuner part; the rest of that is, basically, done on your CPU. Sure, you need some form of GPU, but it's not like you're going to see a marked increase based on the GPU.

[TechnicallyOpposed]

My current card is failing after 1 year and with the number of photos I edit at up to 24 MB each, working in Lightwave, and the need to capture HD quality video, I thought I would be better off with a better card anyway. Is that completely wrong?

My PC is already limited on the amount of RAM I can install.

[hdantman]

Technically,

First, welcome to the forums. Second, I'd love to comprehensively (and so would others on this forum) answer your questions and lead you to a satisfactory outcome, but we need some information first.

Please list your motherboard, CPU, RAM, power supply, and current GPU. Please list all of the critical info, such as speed/voltage/wattage/type etc.

Then we'll suggest away.

[Headfoot]

Unfortunately the fact that you wont buy nVidia is going to hamper your choices. Also if I remember correctly Mac is currently using more nVidia gpus anyways.

nVidia gpu's are CUDA enabled which is useful for certain professional programs. Essentially it lets your gpu help out with processing thats normally done on the CPU.

[ultima]

i also agree that the ati All-in-wonder solution would be your best bet
to do everything you asked

i'm not aware of many tv tuner graphic capture cards from nvidia

[swedxza]

Well u don't really need AIW :p a 3850 would be more than enough, u can even go for the HIS IceQ3 TurboX it has performance similar to 3870 or go for FIreGL series.... tough those are a bit more expensive but they'll be more than adequate

[wyz135]

Well u don't really need AIW :p a 3850 would be more than enough, u can even go for the HIS IceQ3 TurboX it has performance similar to 3870 or go for FIreGL series.... tough those are a bit more expensive but they'll be more than adequate

FireGL are meant for proffessional 3D designs, he only needs a card good for photo editing. My sorry Mr.TechnicallyOpposed I don't have much suggestion for you:(

[-RK]

The hd4650 or 4670 should do fine if you're set on an ati card.


Also, could you give us more information on your system? That would definitely help us in giving advice.