Full Vista Aero Glass Support with Lowest Power Usage?
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Full Vista Aero Glass Support with Lowest Power Usage?
I'm rebuilding my main workstation to Vista 64.
It's only going to be a 2D workstation (Photoshop, Illustrator, and Painter mainly, with maybe some Non-linear Video Editing).
So I won't be playing games on it.
I'd like to get a video card with the lowest power usage, but still supports full Vista Aero Glass stuff.
Preferrably a passively cooled card, or at least one that would be easy to mod with a passive cooler.
Anyone have some advice? Insights?
Thanks,
-Ed
It's only going to be a 2D workstation (Photoshop, Illustrator, and Painter mainly, with maybe some Non-linear Video Editing).
So I won't be playing games on it.
I'd like to get a video card with the lowest power usage, but still supports full Vista Aero Glass stuff.
Preferrably a passively cooled card, or at least one that would be easy to mod with a passive cooler.
Anyone have some advice? Insights?
Thanks,
-Ed
i've read reviews indicating that the nvidia 7050/7025 supports vista, but the effects(eg. windows shrinking and expanding) are sometimes laggy and not smooth.
the review in question was of a 690 mobo, which is reportedly flawless.
any dedicated cards should be able to support vista no problems- though it seems ati is slightly better when it comes to power consumption, a 2400pro does about 10/15w at idle/load.
see viewtopic.php?t=44420
not sure about the intel stuff.
the review in question was of a 690 mobo, which is reportedly flawless.
any dedicated cards should be able to support vista no problems- though it seems ati is slightly better when it comes to power consumption, a 2400pro does about 10/15w at idle/load.
see viewtopic.php?t=44420
not sure about the intel stuff.
Last edited by porkchop on Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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I got a score of 3.0 for a system with a Sempron LE-1100, 1024 MB of 667 MHz RAM and the nVidia 7025 chipset. Didn't test it thoroughly though. System consumed around 25 watts at idle. Aero didn't make much of an impact on power consumption. I started a thread recently on OS power consumption.porkchop wrote:i've read reviews indicating that the nvidia 7050/7025 supports vista, but the effects(eg. windows shrinking and expanding) are sometimes laggy and not smooth.
the review in question was of a 690 mobo, which is reportedly flawless.
any dedicated cards should be able to support vista no problems- though it seems ati is slightly better when it comes to power consumption, a 2400pro does about 10/15w at idle/load.
see viewtopic.php?t=44420
not sure about the intel stuff.
I have an Nvidia 8600 in one PC, works fine. An old PC had an Nvidia 6200 (couple of years old, real bottom end) and that worked fine too. Pretty much anything graphics card wise will be able to run Aero with no dramas.
If Vista Aero is your most demanding application, I suggest just find a passive card in your price range and go for it.
If Vista Aero is your most demanding application, I suggest just find a passive card in your price range and go for it.
I've successfully ran Vista Aero on VIA K8M890, Intel GMA900, I think you would be fine with any products on the shelves nowadays. As for discrete display cards, even a low-end 5200 was enough for Aero. But Vista 64 drivers aren't as mature as their 32 counterparts, beware. I suggest you to grab a discrete passive cooling AMD or nVIDIA card for safety. Intel/VIA/SiS VGA drivers are inferior to A & N, especially on Vista64.
Have you looked at AMD/ATI FireMV based cards?
I'm using one on my (Linux) based WS, replacing my old Matrox- it's been rock solid and sips power when not in use. I initially installed Vista64 on it for laughs, and it ran Aero without any problems.
I'm using one on my (Linux) based WS, replacing my old Matrox- it's been rock solid and sips power when not in use. I initially installed Vista64 on it for laughs, and it ran Aero without any problems.
Ouch, those are way too expensive.fri2219 wrote:Have you looked at AMD/ATI FireMV based cards?
I'm using one on my (Linux) based WS, replacing my old Matrox- it's been rock solid and sips power when not in use. I initially installed Vista64 on it for laughs, and it ran Aero without any problems.
-Ed
Running Aero and running Aero fast are two different things.
If you want Windows to be responsive, especially at higher resolutions, then you really need a card that will get you 5.0 or better in the Vista Aero graphics test (Windows Experience Index).
I would look at a 8600GT or Radeon 2600XT. IIRC, both of those score in the 5.5 range and are available in passive versions for about $100. The Radeon 3650 would be another alternative.
If you want Windows to be responsive, especially at higher resolutions, then you really need a card that will get you 5.0 or better in the Vista Aero graphics test (Windows Experience Index).
I would look at a 8600GT or Radeon 2600XT. IIRC, both of those score in the 5.5 range and are available in passive versions for about $100. The Radeon 3650 would be another alternative.
i have to disagree. my brothers been running vista premium for a few months now on an ati 1300xt (24" dell, 1920x1200), no problems and smooth as silk.I would look at a 8600GT or Radeon 2600XT. IIRC, both of those score in the 5.5 range and are available in passive versions for about $100. The Radeon 3650 would be another alternative.
how many watts?
Low enough for a Pico-PSU? How many watts exactly?loimlo wrote:...HD3450 seems to be a good fit for you. Low cost, low power draw...