Video Cards... to buy or not to buy?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SeanEmer
  • Start date Start date
S

SeanEmer

Guest
Right now, I'm running Avid Xpress Pro 5.7 using an Nvidia GeForce FX 7800 GS (AGP) card, which I originally bought for video games. Now that I'm done with games and more focused on video editing, I'm thinking about upgrading my card to the Quadro FX series from Nvidia, since I've heard that it is the professional standard for Avid. Of course, my mobo doesn't have PCI-e slots, so I needed to find an Nvidia Quadro card that was AGP... which (the best I could find) meant the Nvidia Quadro FX 3000. Is the Quadro FX 3000 'better' than the Geforce FX 7800 GS? How are these cards different, and is it really worth it to upgrade?

When I edit in 720p in Avid, I often get stuttered, laggy playback. I have 3GB of RAM and (I think) dual Pentium 4 3.00 GHz processors, so I assume the trouble is stemming from my video card. So is the Quadro FX 3000 a step up from the GeForce 7800 GS? I'm not a tech-guru with video cards, so I was hoping somebody might know. The few specs I've found on the cards seem to be the same, so I'm a bit hesitant about buying a new card if its only going to be at a similar level of performance as my old card.

Windows 32-bit
3GB DDR400 RAM
ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe Motherboard
Nvidia GeForce FX 7800 GS


Thanks guys
 
The Quadro FX will be worth it, I think. I also upgraded from a Geforce 7600 to a Quadro FX 3450. My editing system is so much faster and trouble-free now. I never get any hang-ups. Everything works as it should. There's a reason everyone says use "Avid supported hardware." And the video card is a hugely important component in that equation.

Plus, I got my Quadro FX card used for a fraction of what they cost retail on release. So it's definitely worth it!
 
thanks for the tip! I've been thinking of revamping my whole computer, but I think I'll try the Quadro first to see if it solves my troubles.
 
The motherboard can be an issue too. Basically your RAM, motherboard, graphics card, sound card and hard drive all have to be appropriate. Sad but true.
 
Well, if I were to buy a new motherboard, I'd be getting a Quadro anyway, so I might as well get the Quadro now and see if it solves the problem. If it doesn't, then I just need to buy a new mobo and RAM.
 
bilgami said:
which Quadro FX is good to use with the AMC?
Click to expand...

Hey Billy, there's a list of qualified cards on the Avid website. I can tell you, though, that I've had no problems with the Quadro FX 3400 and Media Composer v3.0.
 
bilgami said:
is ATI a good gfx card?
Click to expand...

To run Avid on a PC: No.

If it's an ATI card in a Mac and it's on the approved list of Avid cards, it should work.

If it's on a PC--ATI is a no go. It's not say it won't work, but it's a crapshoot. For fun I installed Avid on an uncertified system with an ATI card and the software wouldn't load.

If you're on a PC, go with nVidia, and go with a Quadro card.

Michael.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top