Camera Labs

Vista really NEEDS a GPU to do any 2D or 3D calculations, as they are not done on the CPU unless they are needed to be.

The whole idea is to use the GPU in your system when not using games, as all its processing power is normally going to waste, so it takes the load of the CPU, and gives it to the GPU, freeing up your CPU to do more important tasks, like calculating PI to 30million!

The idea in theory is fine, but Microsoft just did not optimize the GUI in vista enough, and it runs slow on most graphics cards say slower than a GeForce 7600 / ATI x1600 anything faster should be fine with most stuff.

Dual Screens on vista also causes havoc when you are using multiple applications or multiple video streams (especially HD!) so you again need a faster card for that.

I will usually have a good 5 or 6 firefox windows open, many with over 10 tabs in each (I've had over 200tabs open spaced across 8 windows before - ran pretty smooth!) perhaps running a youtube video that is pretty long and i've forgotten about, then i'll have media player playing music, muted probably because I'm watching Diggnation In HD, then I'll have Photoshop open with 2 or 3 PSD files in it, then perhaps Dreamweaver minimized and probably 2 or 3 instances of the calculator somewhere.

That really starts to hit hard at your graphics card...and none of it is 3D! Although to be frank, your desktop is rendered using the Direct X API (9.0L to be precise - Vista only release although no game uses it, its only for the GUI) so technically everything is 3D!

I know my 6800GT would get most of the work done with brute force back in Beta 1 and 2 (Yes I had beta 1! 2004/5? can't remember it was so long ago!) and my 8800GTS hardly ever slows down in the final version.

As for large PSD files, especially photos, a good GPU isn't a bad thing to have, especially in Vista. Never go with onboard Video, I don't care if you are just using the Command Line, it is bad!

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Canon EOS 5DmkII + BG-E6 + Canon EOS 40D + BG-E2N + Canon EOS 33
Canon 17-40 F/4L USM + Canon 24-70 F/2.8L USM + Canon 28mm F/1.8 USM + Canon 70-200 F/2.8L USM IS + Canon 85mm F/1.8 USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX II + Canon Speedlite 540EZ + 2 x Nikon SB-80DX
Cactus V2s Wireless Trigger - 5 x Cactus V2s Wireless Reciever

MY FLICKR!

Daniel - You have just been crowned the Multi-tasking King of the Camera Labs forum.

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Leica M9, Nikon D300s, Leica X1, Canon S95, Zero Image 6x9

For the price-conscious: get a video-card that supports two monitors. When you get enthusiastic about Photoshopping, you can greatly benefit from adding a second 19" monitor .

If you have a bigger budget, getting a PC with either SLI or Crossfire set-up allows you to put two graphics cards into your PC which automatically supports 2 monitors.

Matrox have made a kewl little gadget that allows you to use 3 monitors at the same time!!

everyone just needs to switch over!

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Back Window Productions
I can't sing, and I can't write, so the only thing I have to express myself is Photography.
www.backwindowproductions.com (UP!!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paul_lucas/

Noticed a review of yours in a pc magazine today gordon, and i knew you had 64 bit windows before u posted it here...BWhahahaha...

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I've upped my Iso, now up yours.
Nikon D700, Nikon D80, Micro Nikkor 105 f2.8 AI-S,Nikon 85mm 1.8D, Nikon 50mm 1.8D, Nikon 35mm F2D, Nikon 16-35 f4 VR, Nikon 24-70mm F2.8 AF-S, Nikon 70-200VRII, Nikon 70-300mm VR, 300mm f2.8 AI IF ED, SB-800, SB-900. Noiseware pro,NIK Dfine, Nik Colour Effex, Nik Sharpener Pro

backwindow you make me sick!! (with envy..LOL).

Now what is a nice setup

Cheers!

...Are those 30" ... oh my god!

I bet their colour corrected too

But, i would make the switch if they would kindly let me lob a good gaming card in. Plus, I only use NVIDIA GPU's, never fail me

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Canon EOS 5DmkII + BG-E6 + Canon EOS 40D + BG-E2N + Canon EOS 33
Canon 17-40 F/4L USM + Canon 24-70 F/2.8L USM + Canon 28mm F/1.8 USM + Canon 70-200 F/2.8L USM IS + Canon 85mm F/1.8 USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX II + Canon Speedlite 540EZ + 2 x Nikon SB-80DX
Cactus V2s Wireless Trigger - 5 x Cactus V2s Wireless Reciever

MY FLICKR!