What Graphics card???

[Wayniac]

Having just renewed my computer system after a bit of a crash (Finally learnt to backup things), I was sold a tower & promised it was "Just what I need to do what I do best....
To cut a long story short... The Graphics card was last used by GOD!!! Photoshop just doesn't like working with it & there is no longer any updates available.

What Graphics cards work best for Image editing (Cheapest possible, please, with best results)

Wayne.

[TheDarkReaver]

Which edition of Photoshop are you using and what are the specs on the rest of computer?

[Wayniac]

Originally Posted by TheDarkReaver

Which edition of Photoshop are you using and what are the specs on the rest of computer?

XP Home sp3
Intel Pentium 4
CPU 2.80 GHz
512Mb RM
Intel 82865G Graphics Controller (Which CS4 keeps asking me to update)
Photoshop CS4

I was promised twice the RAM too, but since have been told by the seller that he can't recall any knowledge of & is no longer accepting responsability for the computer.

[Eastree]

I suggest two things: Max out the ram and upgrade the video card.

Was it a store-bought computer or one built from parts? Either way, you should be able to find the info for what type and how much ran the motherboard can take.

The video card is easy to figure out: Look at it. Really: with the computer off (maybe even un-plugged, to be safe), remove it and look. See what kind of card slot it's in, and find something that will fit the slot. That's the FIRST thing you need to find about the card.

If the video card is PCI, you'll have slightly limited choices, though still a lot of good ones. Most newly produced cards are PCIe, which is basically just a faster transfer rate. Either way, you need to know what type of card slot.

[TheDarkReaver]

I predict he has a.....Dell Dimension 4600.

If so you can max the RAM it out to 2gb.

If you're only needing this thing for PS then you're not going to need a super-duper gaming card (I'm running CS5 pretty comfortably with an ATI Radeon X1250). As Eastree said, find out the slot type and find something to stick in it, look at popular brands such as ati and nvidia.

[Wayniac]

Originally Posted by TheDarkReaver

I predict he has a.....Dell Dimension 4600.

If so you can max the RAM it out to 2gb.

If you're only needing this thing for PS then you're not going to need a super-duper gaming card (I'm running CS5 pretty comfortably with an ATI Radeon X1250). As Eastree said, find out the slot type and find something to stick in it, look at popular brands such as ati and nvidia.

The puter is actually Dell 3000. Graphics card is the thing causing the problem & I'm looking at prices for an upgrade that is at least in THIS century... lol.

Also now in the process of purchasing 2Gb of ram.

***Brought privately as I'm tight & STUPID!!! With my money***

[TheDarkReaver]

You'll be looking for a PCI card then.

Something like PNY Geforce 8400GS / 512MB / PCI / Graphics Card - Computing at Play.com (UK) would be more than fine. It's not too pricey and it'll do the job.

Just look around at similarly specced cards. I'm sure other people can chip in and give some further advice on this card or an alternative.

[jamesev]

I did just this because I wanted to use CS5 which utilised the GPU to greater extent and needs OpenGL 2.0. I bumped up the base Units RAM to 3GB as I'm using XP and upped my Graphics card from a 256MB to a Gig Ram one which supports OpenGL 2.1

[Wayniac]

Thx for the replies & the great help you have given... I have now got 2Gb RAM & a new Graphics card being shipped as we speak. The next thing I'm looking for is an external HD now as I shoot in RAW at ALL times & finding it's taking a toll on my HD & not to mention nearly 100 CD's I've used to store older files on.

As a general rule, how long would youi usually keep Images for after a shoot? (I never like to throw anything away "Just in case")

Wayne.

P.S. My Bank Manager wants a word with all of you. lol.

[Photologyst]

Sad stories like this one is why people who do photos, graphics or digi-art should always consider purchasing a mac. They come fully loaded for plug and play. In the end, it costs you the same if not less.

You can purchase a used one.