Hello all. I'm new to this forum and am hoping some of you gurus can help me. We have a photo business and use our computer for photo editing. I really don't play any games on the PC at all. I need some advice on a new video card. Here are my specs:

Mobo: Asus P5KC Newegg.com - ASUS P5KC LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Tower: Antec Sonata III

Q9300 processor

4 gb ram


What i need from my video card:

ability to output to a 24" NEC LCD2490WUXI monitor and Samsung 52" HDtv using DVI or some other output other than VGA on both

ability to use with Vista 32 (but would like to be able to use with Windows 7 64bit also...mobo supports both 32 and 64bit)...am definitely upgrading to Windows 7 right away!

Will be using Photoshop CS4 64bit in the future

crossfire????


I'm new to the world of computer building and love it...but it is so confusing. Again, I won't really be gaming that much (if at all), but it would be nice to have a decent card to game with if I wanted....nothing like gaming on a 52" screen! I currently have a nvidia 8600gt.

K, I think that is all I have for now. Let me know if I forgot any pertinent info...

Thanks in advance for alll your help!!!!

Welcome to the forum are you just editing photos or video as well? For photos you dont need to go overboard CS4 does a good job with cards above 512ram unless you are going for the 3d in CS4

Thanks for the response. We are just editing photos right now, but plan to do video soon.

Will most cards work with WIndows 7 64bit?

What are the most important things to look for to ensure I don't have any hardware conflicts? I knnow I need pci express, how about anythign else?

Yes, any card will work in that OS, you would just need to download the appropriate drivers for your type of OS when you install the card.

This could be a good card to look at.
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Edit: Oh, and about CrossfireX; you don't really need it. This allows users to use two or more ATi graphics cards at once, but it is really only for the above-average gamer who's looking to max every game.

Thanks Callisto. The thing I'm worried about is the connectors for the power and the PCI express slot 2.0. Also, the recommended power supply...I only have a 500W with this Antec Sonata case. Do you think those will still work?
Also, I would like to do some 3D editing with CS4 when it comes out. Would this card handle that? I see 128 and am wondering if that will be enough. Excuse my novice-ness! Thanks again for your help!

Right now, I also have in my system a 3.5 floppy, 2 sata hard drives, 2 sata II DVD RW....

Callisto,
I just looked at the card you recommended and I think all will be good with it and my fears were unwarranted Not sure about the 3D performance in CS4 still...

However, I read a review on newegg and it said something about this card needing two slots....any idea if that will still fit my mobo?

Nevermind about the slots...I'm okay there. I'm concerned though with the 6 pin connector...I only have 4 pins. Will I see a significant performance drop?