For now we have the following base system:
- Intel DQ965GF series MicroATX motherboard.
- Intel E6400 Core 2 Duo processor
- 2 GB of Kingston ValueRAM
- Onboard GMA 3000 Intel graphics
- 2 x 200 GB Seagate SATA 300 in RAID 1
The assessment failed. We could not get anywhere with it out of the box.
Off to Intel's site for the DQ965GF motherboard's updated drivers.
After the download and install, we reran the Windows System Assessment Tool and we received what is, to me, a rather impressive result for an onboard video chip:
The onboard GMA 3000 series graphics ran a 3.9 score for Vista Aero and a 3.7 score for 3D Graphics.
Considering the ATI X1300 PCI-E, a fully independent video card, ran a 2.8/3.0 on Vista, the score is pretty good.
We then went ahead and installed an ATI FireMV 2200 PCI-E low profile video card. The components are stuffed into an Antec Minuet II chassis for ease of carrying around to clients to demonstrate Vista and Office 2007.
With the stock drivers picked up by Vista we ended up with the following:
A fairly poor Graphics score of 2.1 and a 3D Graphics score of 3.1. Not really too good.
The card was purchased to work with the D945GTP board if we could ever get it going with Vista and realized that the onboard Aero performance was nil, as in it wouldn't run.
In a pinch, such as the need for low profile, the FireMV 2200 will work, but a higher end low profile card would be needed for anything beyond the pedestrian Office and IE type usage.
Here is a Quick List of Intel's Desktop Motherboards.
Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists
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