Video card

[cornolio]

Hi, I wanted to ask what video card should I choose for video editing and working with 2D graphic (after effects, photoshop)? Is it worth to spend more extra money for nvidia FX series card? Will I feel more speed in rendering? Video card should also have possibility to connect 2 displays.

[Blue_MiSfit]

I think you mean the Quadro series.

Those high end workstation cards are only meant for working with 3d modeling / CAD applications. Any modern video card can give a bit of acceleration to After Effects through OpenGL, but there's no real reason to splurge on a Quadro.

Honestly, the difference is minute. Get any old card, just as long as it doesn't share system memory. Ideally you would have one with two dual link DVI ports.

The only real reason to get a beefy video card (3d modeling set aside) is if you're a gamer. The video card has absolutely no effect when it comes to encoding video. It's all software rendered :) Same for Photoshop.

~MiSfit

[cornolio]

Ok, thanks. But what about brands? ATI or nvidia? Wich gives better video quality? Now I'm thinking about X1950 PRO PCI-E 256MB 2X DVI

[foxyshadis]

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/quality_vs_quantity_4.html

Too bad I can't find the quality comparison between the x1950 and the 8800 that I saw a month or two ago, it was also very good. However, this relates only to certain high-end in-game rendering modes, this has nothing to do with gpu-assisted software video rendering, which will always return the same result barring heat-related picture breakup.

[Blue_MiSfit]

An X1950 Pro is a great choice if you play games, and don't want to spend over $200.

Again, if you don't game, don't bother! Spend $50 on a GeForce 7300 or a Radeon X1300 with dual DVI ports and be done with it :)

~MiSfit