Graphics cards?

[gstuart]

Hello - I am planning on buying a new computer; some of the potential options are listed, below.

I often record (Hauppauge PVR-500) television shows to my hard drive, then process these (Avidemux), and XviD-encode them.

Based on the motherboard listed below, would I need a graphics card? I am not a "gamer," but I don;'t want the responsiveness of the system to be limited, e.g. due to computationally-intensive video-related tasks (processing; playback; etc.).

If so, what would you recommnend?

Thank you - appreciated! Greg :-)

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Motherboard options:

* Intel DP35DPM SocketT, ATX, iP35, 1333 FSB, Onboard Audio, GigLAN, RAID, eSATA, 1394 - No Video

* EVGA motherboard Socket T nVidia 780i SLI, 1333FSB, PCI-E, RAID, Audio, GigLAN, SATAII, 1394

Processor options:

* Intel Core 2 Duo E6750: 2.66GHz Dual Core, 1333 FSB, 4MB Cache, Socket 775, 64-bit

* Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600: 2.4GHz Quad Core, 1066 FSB, 8MB Cache, Socket 775, 64-bit

Video card options:

* nVidia GeForce 8600GT 256MB DDR, PCI-E Video Card, TV-Out, Dual Display, DX10

* nVidia GeForce 9600GT 512MB DDR, PCI-E Video Card, TV-Out, Dual Display

* Dual (2 cards) GeForce 8600GT 256MB DDR, requires SLI Motherboard

* nVidia GeForce 8800GT 512MB DDR, PCI-E Video Card, TV-Out, Dual Display

* nVidia GeForce 8800GTS 512MB DDR3, PCI-E Video Card, TV-Out, Dual Display

* Dual (2 cards) GeForce 8800GT 512MB DDR, requires SLI Motherboard

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[damis648]

Well, as long as the MB has built in video, you will probably not need one if you are doing many intensive things like gaming and such, however, most people love compiz and the special desktop effects so if you are looking forward to those running smoothly, then you will want a better graphics card. I have a Nvidia 8600 GT on my laptop and compiz screams!