cheap PCI-Express Video Card and Sound Card for this mobo...

[ruthless29]

With the help of members on this forum, I configured a perfect PC that i am about to purchase.

However, I'm stick debating over the video card and sound card for this mobo:
ASUS M2NPV-VM mATX AM2 GE6150-NF430 1PCI-E16 1PCI-E1 2PCI SATA2 Video Sound GBLAN 1394 Motherboard

TYPE OF USER:
Quite Freqeunt Video Editing
Quite Frequent Music Listener
Occasional Animation
Occasional Gaming

I believe I can only get PCI-Express vid card. I dont mind a generic brand name (they seem to have a lot of those on DirectCanada)

as for the Sound Card? This one
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE PCI 7.1 Surround Sound Card for $27
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11220BD7074
OR
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic 24-bit Crystalizer Dolby Digital EX Decoding Sound Card for $55
http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=208&product=14066

Thanks a million.

[sickcars]

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic 24-bit Crystalizer Dolby Digital EX Decoding Sound Card for $55

Thats a good sound card, and since u like music then u will want it to sound good. BUT remember if your speakers are Crap then thats what your going to hear and no sound card is going to make it sound better untill you buy new Good quality speakers.

As for the video card since you dont play games much something like a GF 6600GT would be good and they are on the cheap side now. Or something like an Ati x800XT that is a very good card also.

Ciao

[ruthless29]

thanks for the reply
yup, my sound blasters are crap
so i think i might just go with the audigy, unless theres a better one that you can suggest for the price

as for the video card, you're talking about this one?
its going for $150
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10560BD2832&vpn=100-435502&manufacture=ATI

[sickcars]

thanks for the reply
yup, my sound blasters are crap
so i think i might just go with the audigy, unless theres a better one that you can suggest for the price

as for the video card, you're talking about this one?
its going for $150
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10560BD2832&vpn=100-435502&manufacture=ATI


Well im talking about the XT Version thats the XL, Im sure its still pretty good and since u dont play games very often you should be good.

Ciao

[ruthless29]

Well im talking about the XT Version thats the XL, Im sure its still pretty good and since u dont play games very often you should be good.

Ciao

i think i might go with this actually
ATI ALL-IN-WONDER 2006 Edition X1300 450MHZ 256MB 400MHZ DDR3 PCI-E HDTV Video Card
Same price
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10560BD1108

I'm sure it will make the Vista Aero Glass effects look much smoother!

[sickcars]

i think i might go with this actually
ATI ALL-IN-WONDER 2006 Edition X1300 450MHZ 256MB 400MHZ DDR3 PCI-E HDTV Video Card
Same price
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10560BD1108

I'm sure it will make the Vista Aero Glass effects look much smoother!


you can but it is slower, then the other card. Also check Ati's site.

I ordered a All-In-Wonder X800XT 256mb $199 but with the Trade up program its going to be about $150. But they are currently out of stock and its an AGP video card. But they have others there check it out you mgith find a good deal

Ciao

[Amourek]

Yeah, the X-Fi is a very nice card, just make sure you have a decent set of speakers.

As for a video card, X800XL for $130: http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=007594&cid=999.243

7600GT for around $170 after rebate: http://www.anitec.ca/sale/iss/
or $177 after rebate at NCIX: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18390&vpn=256-P2-N554-AX&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1048

The X800XL is a good all-around card, can handle the more intensive games with medium detail. The 7600GT offers the best performance under $200, period. The other X800/X850 cards are over-priced right now IMO.

Performance goes: 7600GS < X800XL < X800XT < X850XT < 7600GT

[ruthless29]

will the prices drop significantly when DX10 cards come out? when is that expected btw?

can any of these capture VHS/composite video (not a really priority but slightly important)

If its a month or two, i can definately wait.

but if its only like a $20 difference, then its not worth the wait


Yeah, the X-Fi is a very nice card, just make sure you have a decent set of speakers.

As for a video card, X800XL for $130: http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=007594&cid=999.243

7600GT for around $170 after rebate: http://www.anitec.ca/sale/iss/
or $177 after rebate at NCIX: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18390&vpn=256-P2-N554-AX&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1048

The X800XL is a good all-around card, can handle the more intensive games with medium detail. The 7600GT offers the best performance under $200, period. The other X800/X850 cards are over-priced right now IMO.

Performance goes: 7600GS < X800XL < X800XT < X850XT < 7600GT

[BlueMax]

What's wrong with the built-in audio and video of that motherboard? Both are pretty good for what you're doing....

[MrDisco]

forget the x-fi. the audigy works and is more then enough for your needs. if the aim is budget then why waste money (even $30) on a piece you dont need.

edit: correct if i'm wrong is there a rebate invovled with the x-fi? even more reason to ignore it.

[rabbit]

It often gets overlooked because everyone only seems to be interested in gaming framerates, but the ATI X1xxx cards have Avivo, which is supposedly faster for encoding/decoding video (amongst other things).

[ruthless29]

based on everyne's response... i'm going to use my onboard sound card. i think it will suffice.

as for the video card, i need nothing fancy but I plan to use Windows Aero Glass... plus I want to use Deskloops, which I believe needs a good video card!

I'm thinking of the ATI X800XL PCI-E for $130 from Canada Computers!

[ruthless29]

How ATI X800XL PCI-E different from the
PowerColor ATI Radeon X800 GT 256MB DDR3/256 Bit Dual DVI/HDTV Out PCI-Express Video Card for $99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=007764&cid=999.243