$50-$75 video card recomendation, pls?

[amheck]

Hi all, a friend and myself both have WinXp installed and currently have Voodoo3 2000 cards. We are looking to upgrade our video cards now. I have seen lots of posts that people have been happy with the refurb video cards at newegg, so I started to take a look.

They have a Asus GeForce2 64 meg MX400 for $49, and a ATI Radeon 64meg 7500 for $75. Do either of these cards come highly recomended? How will they compare to the Voodoo3 2000 with 16 megs? I would guess either will be a nice upgrade.

Any other recomendations are welcome.

Thanks guys,
Aaron

[EDIT] I should also mention that 3d gaming is the main focus here. For me, VIVO might be a nice option, but not required. I think my friend isn't concerned with the TV-out or VIVO at all.

There also a ATI Radeon 64meg DDR AGP VIVO card for $99, which I could probably strech the credit card, too, but again, 3d gaming performance is the most imp. thing.

 

[oldfart]

Of those two, the Radeon 7500 by far. If you want to be at the $50 mark, Newegg sell a VisionTek GF2 GTS-V for that price. Its a lower clocked GF2 GTS that can be easily clocked up to full GTS speeds.

 

[amheck]

So, for $50, the one to get is the VisioTek GF2 GTS-v? And then if you wanna swing the extra $25, the Radeon will be a step up in performance? I realize we aren't buying the latest cutting edge cards, but I still want to keep the card for the longest time possible without having to upgrade real soon.

Aaron

 

[oldfart]

<< So, for $50, the one to get is the VisioTek GF2 GTS-v? And then if you wanna swing the extra $25, the Radeon will be a step up in performance? >>


Yes. The 7500 is pretty nice for $75 and free shipping. Compared to the GTS-V, you go to a 64 meg card, get a DVI connector. The GTS-V is also a very good card for $53 shipped. Either one is a big step up from a V3 2000.

 

[Killrose]

I would go with the Re-furb 7500. Even if it's a Powered By Ati. But it's not going to be anywhere the same card as a Made by Ati 7500.

 

[oldfart]

The Gainward/Cardexpet GeForce 2 Ti / 500 XP, 4ns 64MB DDR , VIVO, Golden Sample Plus for $69 shipped in the refurb section is a nice one. That would actually be my first choice of the three.

 

[dajo]

At outpost.com there is:

Visiontek Xtasy 5564 GeForce2 MX 400 64MB $69.99 before shipping - it has a $20 rebate, so the total will be something like $49+$6=~$56. Any comments on that card for an upgrade from a Voodoo3 3000?

 

[oldfart]

MX400 is several notches below any of the cards mentioned above. You can get the GTS-V from Newegg for less, no rebate hassle, and its a MUCH better card.

 

[dajo]

Cool, thanks!

How would that card compare to my Radeon LE 32 - got it from Newegg - doesn't have fan but is naturally clocked at 166MHz so I don't know if it's DDR or not.

Are they pretty much comparable?

 

[oldfart]

Yeah, I'd say ~ like a Radeon LE, maybe a little better. The GTS-V comes through @ 175 core/286 DDR mem. Simply raise it to 200/333 and you have a full GF2 GTS.

 

[dajo]

Thanks for your input - got one from Newegg $53 shipped.

Anyway, the Radeon LE is in my rig and will stay there. The GTS-V is to replace the Voodoo3 3000 in my step-son's machine.

Thanks again!

Good deal, I think.