Which of these graphics cards is better for video playback?

Hi,
I want to get some opinions on which of these graphics cards is better for playing videos, and would either be enough to make video playback smooth:

1) GeForce 7800GS AGP OC
Core Speed: 375 MHz
Memory size: 256Mb
Memory bus width: 256-bits
Memory type: GDDR3
Memory speed: 625 MHz
Memory bandwidth: 40.0 GB/s
Textures/clock: 16
ROPs: 16
Texture fill rate: 6000 MT/s
Pixel fill rate: 6000 MP/s
Direct X: 9.0c
OpenGL: 2.1
Specs from http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=88&pgno=8

2) ATI HD2400XT
Core Speed: 700 MHz
Memory size: 256Mb
Memory bus width: 64-bits
Memory type: GDDR3
Memory speed: 800MHz
Memory bandwidth: 12.8GB/s
Textures/clock: 4.0
ROPs: 4
Texture fill rate: 2800 MT/s
Pixel fill rate: 2800 MP/s
Direct X: 10.0
OpenGL: 3.1
Specs from http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=88&pgno=4


Importantly, the PC is NOT for gaming, but for home office and video playback (standard dvd, YouTube/internet streaming, probably 720/1080p HD, but not blu-rays). It's a Lenovo 3000 Series J105 desktop, from 2006:
AMD Athlon 64-3200 2.2 GHz, 2GB RAM, current GPU: onboard S3 Unichrome Pro IGP 64MB, 300W PSU, running Windows 7. Monitor is 24" widescreen, native resolution 1920x1080.
At this point, I'm not ready to buy a new machine, just minor upgrades. This machine definitely falls short in video playback. It seems to do standard DVDs in full widescreen ok. When I watch internet streaming, it's ok in fullscreen up to 360p, but gets slightly choppy in 420p, moderately choppy in 720p, and unwatchable in 1080p.

Would either of the two graphics cards above make a substantial difference here?
Both cards are AGP 8x, since my machine does not have PCI-e slots. The Geforce has better memory bus-width, memory bandwidth, as well as higher texture and pixel fill rates. The HD2400 has a better core speed and memory speed, as well as higher Directx and OpenGL compatibility. I'm just not sure which set of characteristics will make a bigger difference for video viewing. I'm buying second hand, and those are the two on offer so far. In case I find other cards to compare, what specs would help most with video playback and which ones are irrelevant?

ALSO: IF I'm only watching videos, would a 300W power supply handle these cards?

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Hi

The main problem with either card is they only have 256MB of video memory. If you want to watch 720p videos, you will want at a MINIMUM 512MB, and for 1080p, definitely 1GB of video RAM.

Texture and pixel fill rates are more for gaming, as is DirectX and OpenGL (these also apply to other things, but not video rendering).

I think the one with the better performance for video out of those two would be the Nvidia card. However, don't expect to be able to watch 720p video flawlessly, and definitely don't bother trying to watch 1080p video with either card (it will be choppy, at BEST).

Your use of the video card has nothing to do with the power supply required, especially as you will likely be maxing out the card's performance with your video needs.

NVIDIA recommends at least a 350W power supply unit to keep the 7800 GS stable and happy (source: http://techreport.com/articles.x/9335/1). If you're going to go for a new PSU, I'd make it an even 400W just to give yourself a little extra room.

 

Thanks for the advice re: RAM
Besides RAM, which other specs are critical for video playback?

I found this analysis of power consumption here:
http://techreport.com/articles.x/9335/10
Not sure if I'm missing something, or if their assumptions are flawed, but it seems like a 300W supply could handle that card. Any thoughts about that article's assessment?

Anyone else have more input?

 

Well, you have specced in an AGP(nVidia) card and a PCI-E card, which does your motherboard support? Use Speccy to determine that first as neither will fit/work if it's the wrong socket. What's your budget like, seems to be low to be talking about those old cards.

 

Oh. The seller said he had an AGP version of the HD 2400XT card. I had assumed that the numbers for the AGP version would be similar to the PCIe version on that list. Here's a more precise link for that card:
http://www.gpureview.com/Radeon-HD-2400-XT-AGP-card-528.html

In any case, the only cards I'm considering are AGP, since that's the best that my mobo supports.

 

I'd go for the 2400 in that case but don't expect full 1080p compliance then, though I could be wrong. I hope I am wrong. Time to start budgeting for a new machine.

 

Newegg has this recertified EVGA nVidia GeForce 6200 512mb AGP card for $23 & $6 shipping http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130635 .

just recently rehab'd an old system for my Dad that has similar specs to yours (2.2Ghz AMD, 1Gb ram, XP) and put an XFX GeForce 6200 512mb AGP card in it and it plays DVDs and online video just fine.

Sam

 

Thanks for the newegg tip. Does it play even 1080p smoothly?

 

Hi again,

I found two better cards to compare, both at 512 MB RAM, and both for the same price:

A) Sapphire Radeon X1950 Pro
Core Speed: 600 MHz
Memory size: 512MB
Memory bus width: 256-bits
Memory type: GDDR3 (from Manufactr website)
Memory speed: 700 MHz
Memory bandwidth: 44.8 GB/s
Textures/clock: 12
ROPs: 12
Texture fill rate: 7200 MT/s
Pixel fill rate: 7200 MP/s
Direct X: 9.0c
OpenGL: 2.0
Manufactured: mid 2006
Fab. Process: 80nm

B) Sapphire Radeon HD 2600 PRO
Core Speed: 600 MHz
Memory size: 512MB
Memory bus width: 128-bits
Memory type: DDR2 (from Manufactr website)
Memory speed: 500MHz
Memory bandwidth: 16.0 GB/s
Textures/clock: 8.0
ROPs: 4
Texture fill rate: 4800 MT/s
Pixel fill rate: 4800 MP/s
Direct X: 10.0
OpenGL: 3.1
Manufactured: mid 2007
Fab. Process: 65nm

Unless otherwise noted, specs are from http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=88&pgno=4

I'm confused. The HD 2600 was released in mid 2007 (1 year later than the X1950), supports the higher DirectX 10, has a higher transistor count, and has a smaller fabrication process at 65nm, so it is the more advanced model, right? But in almost every other spec, the X1950 seems to be better (fill rates, memory: bus width/type/speed/bandwidth).

What am I missing here? Is there a catch to interpreting the spec numbers? Would the X1950 actually be better for my purpose (watching high resolution videos)?

Thanks in advance for any advice.