Which Graphics Card for Windows 7?

[bridgej]

Hi

I'm not a gamer, so not looking for a high end graphics card, but not sure which to buy, looking at the sub £40 mark to be honest. I'm running a 32bit version of Windows Vista HP with a 2.2GHz processor and 2GB Ram. Currently just using the 'onboard' graphics device.

Windows 7 requirements states DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 higher driver, what is WDDM? It doesn't seem to be listed where as DirectX is nearly always mentioned when looking at different graphics cards. Still got to check whether it is a PCIE or AGP slot.

Any information greatly appreciated

[Rik]

Hi Bridge

I can't help, but a few of our techies are bound to be along in a while.

[Glenn]

Any of these should be suitable as long as the board has a PCI-e x16 slot http://www.ebuyer.com/search?page=1&store=2&cat=48&subcat=2627&maxprice=49.99&condition=new&mfr=245

[bridgej]

Thanks, I was looking at the cards at Ebuyer, but there were so many

[Glenn]

They are just one brand in your price range, but as you say there are a lot to choose from.

[wecpcs]

Hi

I'm not a gamer, so not looking for a high end graphics card, but not sure which to buy, looking at the sub £40 mark to be honest. I'm running a 32bit version of Windows Vista HP with a 2.2GHz processor and 2GB Ram. Currently just using the 'onboard' graphics device.

Windows 7 requirements states DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 higher driver, what is WDDM? It doesn't seem to be listed where as DirectX is nearly always mentioned when looking at different graphics cards. Still got to check whether it is a PCIE or AGP slot.

Any information greatly appreciated

I would stick with an Nvidia card at the moment as it appears that ATI cards are not working quite as they should with OpenGL on Windows 7 64bit, as a friend has informed me. He has several games which will not work in OpenGL, but only in software mode and he has downloaded the latest version from the ATI site but they did work in Vista. I expect it will get resolved eventually but at least Nvidia was on the ball. I always used to sell, recommend and buy for myself ATI cards, but awhile ago I had a problem with a certain game which would not run despite having a top end ATI card, but as soon as I replaced it with a similar spec Nvidia card it worked perfectly and that was on Vista and it still works on Windows 7 64bit.

Colin

[Colin Burns]

another vote for Nvidia as they if you get board with windows and turn to the dark side it will be easier for you to get graphics drivers

[bridgej]

Hi

I'm not sure which type of PCI slots I have on my PC so here is a picture. Any help appreciated:



[attachment deleted by admin]

[Lance]

Well, it certainly looks like a PCI express slot.

If you can get the make and model of the motherboard then we should be able to tell you for sure

[bridgej]

I know it says PCI Express next to the Orange slot, but what are the other slots, ie the small grey one and the other 2 longer grey ones.

What is a PCI EXPRESS 16?

The PC is: Acer ASM3630 Core 2 Duo E4500 2048MB 250GB Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 up to 358MB DVD RW Vista Home Premium.

Not sure what the mother board is without pulling it all apart again.

[Lance]

Windows 7 requirements states DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 higher driver, what is WDDM?

I've been doing some research. WDDM is as described here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Display_Driver_Model

Now, I don't think you need a new graphics card for Windows 7. The whitepaper for Intels GMA 3000 series (available here) says that the x3000 chip (which uses the up to 384mb) supports WDDM and DirectX 9.0c.

PCI Express is the type of slot, with the 16x denoting the speed. I'm pretty sure the other slots are PCI Express as well, but will only be 1x or 2x I think.

[bridgej]

OK, thanks for all your help.

I think I'm going to get a cheap graphics card anyway as I can then use the DVI output to connect to my monitor

[wecpcs]

Hi

I'm not sure which type of PCI slots I have on my PC so here is a picture. Any help appreciated:

The orange slot is a PCI-E x16, the small white slot is a PCI-E x1 and the other two larger white slots are the original PCI slots for compatibility with older cards.

Colin

[mrapoc]

ATI 4500 series are quite cheap and capable
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/512MB-Gigabyte-HD-4550-PCI-E-20-%28x16%29-1600MHz-GDDR3-GPU-600MHz-80-Cores-D-Sub-DL-DVI-I-HDMI

should be "7" compatible as anything that works on vista will work on 7 - in my exp.

I have a 8800gt on windows 7. Still overaly capable in the latest games and fully compatible, have a look for one...or perhaps a 9800gt - very good cards

[Gary]

ATI 4670 is a good card in that price range, better than the Nvidias of the same price range in performance.