Experiencing problems (including odd video artifacts) on a fresh Win7 re-install

I don't know the particulars of each card version, since they can many things to lower the cost. I normally stay with GTX cards, and am looking at getting a new 680 next year before Crysis comes out.

You can compare the different card versions on the EVGA site, or maybe even Newegg. But basically, the higher the number (610 vs 690) is relative to the cost, and the GTX version has more options than a GT version.

Thanks. I checked EVGA's site. Wow, they make too many models!

Beyond model numbers, clock speed, and memory clock speed, how can I know whether I need 1MB or 2MB of memory? Does it matter that I'm looking to drive *two* monitors?

What you need, depends of course on what you will be doing as far as Video requirement. Are you a gamer and play things like Crysis or some other graphic intense game or even 3D?

If you are just running basic programs and need to run two monitors, I don't think you need an expensive card, but I am not the one to guide you in this area. I just know what is working for me, but because I game, I got the best card I could afford....

A little gaming, but mostly business and home applications. Nothing too graphic intensive; unless occasional SIMS or Flight Simulator use counts.

In what situations does 2MB become more noticeable than 1MB?

I would have to suggest you go to a forum where the folks are more knowledgeable about Video card specifications. The EVGA site has a fairly large forum, and there are probably others.

Some Flight Simulators can be "Graphics Intensive"..

I'm referring to Microsoft Flight Simulator X. I searched numerous sites and forums but didn't find anything recent; most of the threads are from 2009 and earlier.

I disconnected the second monitor, rebooted, and then re-run the assessment. The Graphics result is still 4.7 -- so the good news is that driving the second monitor doesn't have a negative effect on the GeForce GT 610's performance ... but the bad news is that the performance of this video card, in general, apparently isn't too impressive.

The problem could be like that your system is vista compatible. After installing Win 7 it is creating odd issues might be due to the hardware of the system. Win 7 has more compatibility drivers and system files which are more highly configured less, causing hardware less compatible with Win 7.