Any good PCI video cards out there?

[Fun Guy]

My friend had to get a machine ASAP, so we ordered him a Dimension 3000 that supposedly had an AGP slot. It doesn't. I'm sure we could ship it back, but if we don't have to, we'd rather not. Instead, I'm asking around to see if there are any good PCI video cards that are good for 2D and gaming both, so if he doesn't like the integrated video for Diablo (guessing he won't), we can get him an acceptable card. Any ideas?

 

[Matthias99]

Try searching the Video forum; a *lot* of people have asked this before.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Not for 3D gaming, no. Just cards that will barely do 3D at 640x480 low detail.

The motherboard video is fine for 2D and old 2D games like Diablo, but I'd send the box back if he thinks he might ever want a real 3D gaming card. If you get the card through Dell a Radeon 9800 Pro is a good choice.

 

[Rapsven]

GeForce mx 440 is the probably the best PCI card....cheap too.

 

[Schadenfroh]

here ya go!

 

[Rapsven]

Wow, they have 5600 in PCI flavor? Never knew....

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
here ya go!

haha, a $600 Quadro nice one, thats prolly worth more then the whole Dell.

 

[Fun Guy]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
here ya go!

haha, a $600 Quadro nice one, thats prolly worth more then the whole Dell.

It is, the Dell came in under $450

 

[GnomeCop]

when looking for PCI video nowadays, its probably best to just look for the best 2d wquality you can get plus things like DVI.
Good 3d performance in todays games from a PCI card is not possible now.
I would choose matrox

 

[Mloot]

PCI card review


For now, the best PCI cards are the Radeon 9100 PCI and the FX 5600 PCI and 5700LE PCI.

 

[vailr]

Some Dell machines have an AGP slot, but it's disabled in the bios. If there actually IS an AGP slot, then it may be possible to find a corresponding Intel bios (some Dells use OEM Intel motherboards) and flash the bios, to enable the AGP slot. (Doing so may void the warranty).

 

[Slowlearner]

The Dim 3000 has no AGP slot. In my opinion, having bought many Dells for work, integrated graphics solutions are no good. Stick with 4600 or 4700 and a video card - maybe even purchased separately - take a look at this forum: http://forums.us.dell.com/supp...?category.id=dimension - for suggestions - the question about a suitable PCI card for non AGP Dell PCs has been answered in depth many times.

Incidentally, Dell has a 30 days no questions asked return policy - although you will have to call Round Rock TX for approval.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: Rapsven
GeForce mx 440 is the probably the best PCI card....cheap too.

wrong.


the 9100PCI is the best.