I want a video card that:
1. Doesn't consume a lot of power and/or doesn't have big noisy fan on
it.
2. Has dual DVI outs for my two flat panel monitors.
right now I have a nvidia quadro fx2000 but it's LOUD and hot...
anyone recommend? thanks
You failed to mention that you seek an AGP card (presumably,
since Quadro FX2000 is AGP, yes?).
So I presume you have no particular 3D (IE- gaming) needs
else you'd have mentioned it. Therefore, you'd just find
one of the low end (cheap) modern cards.
by entering the search parameters at Newegg.com for AGP and
two DVI, you get this link,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&description=&srchInDesc=&minPrice=&maxPrice=
I'd expected there to be more low-end offerings but
apparently the two DVI (rather than one analog & one DVI),
significantly limits the choices.
The cheapest is a Radeon 9600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161154
but frankly $104 seems a little steep for it today, a
better deal seems to be the X1600 for only $10 more,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814241016
BUT, the 9600 may be the cooler running of the two,
especially since it's the plain, not pro model.
Quadro is an upscale line though, did you have a specific
use that places fair demand on it like CAD? Also both cards
linked do have fans, so your options are then to seek
passive heatsink for either (or another card...), OR to keep
looking, there are other Radeons with dual DVI and passive
heatsink like this one,
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PRODUCT&PROD_ID=1875991&cid=25608&fp=F
although it's listed as a MAC edition, IIRC that is an added
feature, it does not preclude from use on a PC (but don't
quote me on that).
