Hope this is not too much of a departure from photog topics
The short question is I’m looking for some advice on monitor calibration tools and graphics cards. I do not want to skimp on these items and of course I don’t want to buy something I don’t need or is an overkill.
Monitor Calibration tools:
Trying to decide between X-Rite and Spyder tools. I was leaning towards the X-Rite devices but I’m reading about too many software weaknesses. Now I’m leaning towards Spyder. Looking for suggestions from those who have experience with these or any other tools.
Options I’m currently considering:
1. Datacolor Spyder4Pro S4P100 - $169 (can upgrade software to Elite version below if I need to for $99)
2. Datacolor Spyder4Elite S4EL100 - $249
3. X-Rite i1Display 2 - $145
4. Xrite EODIS3 i1Display Pro - $249
Graphics Card:
Just finished building a new PC (do this every few years). Moved from XP 32 bit to Windows 7 64bit. I have done a fair amount of searching over time for what would be an optimal video card for photo editing and viewing. There is a lot of video card information out there for gamers but not so much for photo editing. I’m not a gamer and never will be one (God bless them however since they do push the hardware market). So what is a good card and what should I be looking for? Bus, memory, speed, etc.?
Currently I have a GeForce 430 with 1 gig of memory. (maybe this card is just fine)
My current system is:
- Intel i processor
- Northbridge Z68 Chipset
- 16 gig memory
- Ample SATA storage
- PCIe x 16 slot for video
- PCI Express power connector available
- Dell Ultrasharp display
- Editors: Lightroom 4 & DPP
I also run a second display for general computer use so I need dual monitor support, but nothing special on the second port. One thing that torqued me when I went to Win 7 is I lost the ability to use the nView software which is part of the XP NVIDA driver. (For those not familiar with nView, this software provided all kinds of functionality and configuration for your graphics card such as hot keys to switch between monitors and to change orientations.) Evidentially this is not available for the GeForce series with Win7. I understand it is part of the NVIDA’s Quadro cards so I’m certainly open to that series.
Thanks much in advance!!
The short question is I’m looking for some advice on monitor calibration tools and graphics cards. I do not want to skimp on these items and of course I don’t want to buy something I don’t need or is an overkill.
Monitor Calibration tools:
Trying to decide between X-Rite and Spyder tools. I was leaning towards the X-Rite devices but I’m reading about too many software weaknesses. Now I’m leaning towards Spyder. Looking for suggestions from those who have experience with these or any other tools.
Options I’m currently considering:
1. Datacolor Spyder4Pro S4P100 - $169 (can upgrade software to Elite version below if I need to for $99)
2. Datacolor Spyder4Elite S4EL100 - $249
3. X-Rite i1Display 2 - $145
4. Xrite EODIS3 i1Display Pro - $249
Graphics Card:
Just finished building a new PC (do this every few years). Moved from XP 32 bit to Windows 7 64bit. I have done a fair amount of searching over time for what would be an optimal video card for photo editing and viewing. There is a lot of video card information out there for gamers but not so much for photo editing. I’m not a gamer and never will be one (God bless them however since they do push the hardware market). So what is a good card and what should I be looking for? Bus, memory, speed, etc.?
Currently I have a GeForce 430 with 1 gig of memory. (maybe this card is just fine)
My current system is:
- Intel i processor
- Northbridge Z68 Chipset
- 16 gig memory
- Ample SATA storage
- PCIe x 16 slot for video
- PCI Express power connector available
- Dell Ultrasharp display
- Editors: Lightroom 4 & DPP
I also run a second display for general computer use so I need dual monitor support, but nothing special on the second port. One thing that torqued me when I went to Win 7 is I lost the ability to use the nView software which is part of the XP NVIDA driver. (For those not familiar with nView, this software provided all kinds of functionality and configuration for your graphics card such as hot keys to switch between monitors and to change orientations.) Evidentially this is not available for the GeForce series with Win7. I understand it is part of the NVIDA’s Quadro cards so I’m certainly open to that series.
Thanks much in advance!!