Is this a half decent card?

Hi guys, right im looking into buying a new graphics card, I'm on quite a tight budget, and so I know im not going to get anything amazing.

This is the one i'm thinking of buying: http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/p.../GT2201GB.html
a few questions: Is it any good? If not can you make any suggestions?
Are there any issues i should know about in installing a new card?
oh and really stupid question... is it VGA compatible? the specs say it has a Max VGA resolution so im assuming thats a yes
anything else you can think of...

I'm sorry i feel so noobish... but i really know nothing about graphics cards

severedsolo said:

Hi guys, right im looking into buying a new graphics card, I'm on quite a tight budget, and so I know im not going to get anything amazing.

This is the one i'm thinking of buying: GT 220 1GB Novatech GeForce GT 220 1GB GDDR2 HDMI/VGA/DVI PCI-Express - Retail with PhysX, CUDA & 3D Stereo. PowerDirector 8HE Video Editing Software Included 625MHz Core, 1335MHz Shader, 1GB 800MHz GDDR2 Memory, 48 Cuda Processors, 1yr Warranty : no
a few questions: Is it any good? If not can you make any suggestions?
Are there any issues i should know about in installing a new card?
oh and really stupid question... is it VGA compatible? the specs say it has a Max VGA resolution so im assuming thats a yes
anything else you can think of...

I'm sorry i feel so noobish... but i really know nothing about graphics cards

Don't feel noobish as I am wondering how you are going to install a graphics card when yours is integrated?

I have a spare PCI-E slot to put a new card into its on board graphics im using at the moment, Hence why I want a new card. I've got this right haven't I? I was under the impression if i fit a new card it will shut down the on board graphics?

Are you planning on gaming with it? If so, I'd say no. But you get some video editing software with it, which I suppose would be enhanced by CUDA, so that's a plus.

mpcrsc562 said:

Are you planning on gaming with it? If so, I'd say no. But you get some video editing software with it, which I suppose would be enhanced by CUDA, so that's a plus.

nothing major, certainly nothing beyond what i'm doing at the moment. as i said i don't want anything amazing, just something that is half decent. Probably the only half graphic intensive game that will be played on it is Sims 3, which my system can handle fine anyway with the graphic settings turned down

what would be nice is if it could handle HD... thats the one thing my system sucks at at the moment. and yes i know i will need to upgrade my monitor too :)

severedsolo said:

mpcrsc562 said:

Are you planning on gaming with it? If so, I'd say no. But you get some video editing software with it, which I suppose would be enhanced by CUDA, so that's a plus.

nothing major, certainly nothing beyond what i'm doing at the moment. as i said i don't want anything amazing, just something that is half decent. Probably the only half graphic intensive game that will be played on it is Sims 3, which my system can handle fine anyway with the graphic settings turned down

what would be nice is if it could handle HD... thats the one thing my system sucks at at the moment. and yes i know i will need to upgrade my monitor too :)

With computer prices falling why not save and get bundle package of newer computer with new monitor?
Save the old one to use as a tester!

If the Sims is the most demanding game you plan on playing, then your choice is fine... hit that buy tab with confidence! :)

Fumz said:

If the Sims is the most demanding game you plan on playing, then your choice is fine... hit that buy tab with confidence! :)

thank you Fumz :) and my other questions?

1) will it handle HD? with an HD monitor obviously....
2) It does have a VGA port right? I cant really tell from the picture... although the specs say that it has a max VGA resolution of 2840*1536 so im assuming that is a yes

It'll definitely handle hd video and the like. I had a 9500gs a couple of years ago and that was able to handle high def so there is no doubt in my mind that the newer more powerful GT220 will do so.

Your needs will be more than catered for with that card severedsolo

thank you very much for the advice everyone :) again i apologise for the noobish questions. as someone who doesn't really have much interest in PC gaming i've never really looked into graphics cards. Networking and Installation is like chalk and cheese to me... graphics cards... not a clue :) thank you so much :)