Advice on new video card

[papster33]

I have an old machine (2 years old) with a 400 Mhz processor. Don't want to overbuy for a video card which will not enhance the performance due to limitations of my system.

If you had to choose between ATI 128 Expert 16 mg, ATI 2000 Expert 32 mg, or VisionTek Riva TNT2 M64 which would you choose? I am concerned over compatibility problems. I read some info on ATI's site regarding motherboard drivers (separate from the video card) and I am not that technically oriented that I might fall into a trap.

My other option is to purchase from an auction site...where I believe I can pick up a Radeon SDR 32 AGP card (they do make an SDR AGP according to their site) or a an eVGA nVidia GeForce2-MX AGP 32 for about $60 (a guess at this point). A little nervous about buying from auctions...

Thougths?

Thank you very much!

 

[BFG10K]

Well, your first set of choices are pretty poor video cards, but if I had to pick one it'd be the TNT2 M64. ATi's pre-Radeon boards and drivers are absolutely suckful.

As for your second set, if I was in your position I'd probably try to get the Radeon LE, which is cheaper and better than a Radeon SDR. Of course if you prefer nVidia, get the MX.

As for auctions, I have no idea.

 

[arod324]

IMHO, your best bet right now would be the Radeon DDR LE from www.newegg.com for about $84 shipped.

 

[Hawk]

The M64 and the Rage 128/Expert 2000 all suck. Depends on your budget though, if you only have about $60 or less, then I guess a Voodoo 3 2000 for about $50 would be good for your system. If you want to be able to use the card later when you upgrade your CPU, then the Radeon LE for $77 shipped at www.newegg.com would be a good choice, or if you like Nvidia, a MX for around $100?

 

[hans007]

i think an mx is like $90 shipped now, or you can get an LE for $77 shipped assuming you dont live in cali. if you can get any of those other cards for much less though its probably better unless you are gonna upgrade your processor. Personally i'd stay away from the xpert2000 32mb. Its a rage128vr core, which has 64bit bus. The tnt2 m64 is faster, but still 64bit bus. the xpert 16mb is actually a rage128gl core, which has 128bit bus , so its probably as fast or faster than the tnt2 m64 depending on res , etc. If you had to get one of those 3 i'd get the xpert128 16mb, just because the 2d is probably better, and its fast and has dvd motion comp. You can pick up a radeon SDR, but it'll end up costing you like $100 which is more than a radeon LE anyways. i doubt you can get a gf2mx for $60 unless you know someone willing to sell that cheap