What graphics card?

[Steveyp]

I am looking for a graphics card that will decode DVDs so that I can play them smoothly through my PC and monitor (I don't have a TV).

Any suggestions as to what budget choices (sub-£50) I have to choose from? I would prefer an AGP-connected graphics card, as I am assuming that I will upgrade my games graphics card with the same card?

Many thanks!

Steve

[Gregoroth]

I think basically any card will let you watch DVD's smoothly as long as you have DVD software installed.

As for gaming, you won't get anything decent for under £50 if you want to play modern games at good settings. For that, you want to spend at least £90.

[Steveyp]

Thanks for the response - the problem is - I already have a 64Mb Nvidia card and the sound doesn't keep up with the video and the video can often be quite jerky (tried 3 or 4 different DVD s/w progs). Now using RealPlayer but sound lags considerably and annoys me.

What h/w can I buy to improve things?

Thanks.

[djdaface]

Whats the rest of your PC specs?

[Gregoroth]

It really would help if you could post your specs mate... 8)

[Steveyp]

SiSoftware Sandra

Processor
Model : AMD Athlon(tm) XP 1600+
Speed : 1.39GHz
Model Number : 1600 (estimated)
Performance Rating : PR2063 (estimated)
Cores per Processor : 1 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)
Internal Data Cache : 64kB Synchronous, Write-Back, 2-way set, 64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache : 256kB ECC Synchronous, Write-Back, 16-way set, 64 byte line size

Mainboard
Bus(es) : ISA AGP PCI IMB USB FireWire/1394 i2c/SMBus
MP Support : 1 Processor(s)
MP APIC : Yes
System BIOS : Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG
Total Memory : 512MB DDR-SDRAM

Chipset 1
Model : Abit Computer Corp KM400 CPU to PCI Bridge
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 133MHz (266MHz data rate)
Total Memory : 512MB DDR-SDRAM
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 133MHz (266MHz data rate)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : Default Monitor
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce2 MX
Imaging Device : Hewlett Packard PhotoSmart C20 Digital Camera

Physical Storage Devices
Removable Drive : Floppy disk drive
Hard Disk : FUJITSU MPE3084AE (7.9GB)
Hard Disk : IOMEGA ZIP 100
Hard Disk : ST3120022A (112GB)
CD-ROM/DVD : BTC BCO4016IM (CD 8X Rd, 40X Wr) (DVD 1X Rd)

Logical Storage Devices
WIN 98 BOOT (C:) : 9.7GB (5.9GB, 61% Free Space) (FAT32)
DSK1_VOL2 (D:) : 102GB (44GB, 43% Free Space) (FAT32)
APPS (E:) : 4.1GB (1.4GB, 35% Free Space) (FAT32)
DATA (F:) : 3.7GB (317MB, 8% Free Space) (FAT32)
Removable Drive (G:) : N/A
3.5\" 1.44MB (A:) : N/A

Peripherals
Serial/Parallel Port(s) : 2 COM / 1 LPT
USB Controller/Hub : USB2.0 Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : ALi PCI to USB Open Host Controller
USB Controller/Hub : ALi PCI to USB Open Host Controller
USB Controller/Hub : ALi PCI to USB Open Host Controller
USB Controller/Hub : ALi PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller
USB Controller/Hub : VIA USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller/Hub : VIA USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller/Hub : VIA USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller/Hub : VIA USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller/Hub : VIA USB Enhanced Host Controller
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB 2.0 Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Printing Support
FireWire/1394 Controller/Hub : OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
Keyboard : PC/AT Enhanced PS/2 Keyboard (101/102-Key)
Mouse : Microsoft PS/2 Mouse

MultiMedia Device(s)
Device : Game Port for Creative
Device : Creative Sound Blaster AudioPCI 128 (WDM)
Device : Creative Sound Blaster AudioPCI 128 (WDM)

Communication Device(s)
Device : U.S. Robotics 56k Voice Faxmodem #2

Printers and Faxes
Model : Lexmark Z600 Series
Model : Fax
Model : Epson Stylus COLOR 600 ESC/P 2

Power Management
AC Line Status : On-Line

Operating System(s)
Windows System : Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional 5.00.2195 (Service Pack 4)

Network Services
Adapter : VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter

[Cheule]

You could get an Nvidia 7300 type card which would suit that use nicely.

[Anonymous]

Get the 7300GT model, DDR3 must have. Will run any dvds, and will run the odd game if you want.

[mac124]

I don't think you can get the ddr3 version in agp but the ddr2 would still be ok. Pointless getting anything more powerful on that setup imho, noi 8) .

[Cheule]

Before you get a new card, I take it you have updated all your movie codecs and such?