[Pc_Support] PCI-Express video cards that need the powerconnector?

[Damien McKenna]

> Damien McKenna <dmckenna at thelimucompany.com> wrote:
> > Its tempting, just not sure I can justify the extra right
> > now.  Hmm...
> 
> I totally understand that.
> [ TheBS just remembers he's dropping $2K for a trip to
> Hawaii, and that's only the flight+hotel. ;-]

For that reason I'll probably do the X1600Pro, they're within my
guestimated budget.

> If you're really wanting to save some dough, there is nothing
> wrong with going with a GeForce 6200TC.

The TC models are more of a drain on system resources than I care to
try, I've had enough of onboard video, and as-is I could do with some
more RAM anyway.

> I haven't really met a local outfit that didn't have techs
> who weren't a bit off-the-mark at times.  If I ran a local
> store, I'm sure I wouldn't get all my facts correctly
> all-the-time.

Most knowledgeable computer geeks don't do sales as the pay sucks.  I
only did it for a while and that was 'cause I was stuck in a college
town with little / no employment opportunities.  Then I got into web
development.

> > There's a 6800XT (350/600) on NewEgg for $129AR.
> 
> Yeah, I saw those -- all refurbs.  8 pixel pipes with DDR3. 
> I can only assume they are failed GeForce 6800GS/GT/Ultra
> cards that have failed pipes and are recoded to disable them.
> Don't know if I trust them.  But at least they should get you
> 6600GT performance, but have a PCIe connector.  Not sure that
> is an ideal combo though.

I think I'll skip them, given that I've sent back two retail PCI-E cards
as is, I don't want to even try a refurb.

> > I was focused more on the encoding, I already have a
> > capture widget that'll work well enough.
> 
> Er, um, I'm confused then.  How would the encoding on the
> video card help you then?  It's really only helpful during
> real-time capture.

I'm interested in the abilities to re-encode video from source MPEG2.
I've got a USB video capture widget that can do real-time encoding of
VHS quality video on my PC, which is enough to do the basic capturing
that I'm after.  I'm more interested in being able to re-encode the
larger quantities of MJPEG footage.  Once ATI gains more support for its
Avivo facilities it should be a major boost to productivity.

> > And I don't have any more free PCI cards thanks to having
> > an SLI mobo.
> 
> You can actually get SLI without the connector, but you take
> a performance hit.

Didn't know that!

-- 
Damien McKenna - Web Developer - Damien.McKenna at thelimucompany.com
The Limu Company - http://www.thelimucompany.com/ - 407-804-1014
#include <stdjoke.h>