Best vid card for $150

[impulse]

Ok I am planning on upgrading my video card soon, I have a v3 2k. I was wondering what the best card around $150 would be. I am running Win2k, I like to game, and I would like a card with some nice features. I would also like the card to have good linux support.

 

[KiLLaZ]

See here...

GeoForce 2 MX or a Radeon 32MB DDR

 

[seanwatts1]

Radeon!!!!!!

 

[TravisBickle]

LOL!

 

[misle]

Does the Radeon support Linux? From my experiences with my Rage Pro, I doubt it. But as always I could be wrong.

Matt

 

[WooDaddy]

Impulse,
I'd have to agree with KiLLaZ... even though he caint speel. Most Nvidia cards have linux support. You probably can't go wrong with a GeForce 2 MX. I'd suggest you go with a LeadTek DDR board. One other card you'd might want to consider is the PowerColor STMicro PowerVr Kyro. It's the first of it's kind (in a while) to use a more intelligent rendering system than the brute force method that the Nvidia cards use....

But your best and safest bet is the GeForce 2 MX DDR.

 

[airfoil]

For a little over $ 150, you can get a GEForce2 GTS at ocie.com. Its a steal!

 

[Taz4158]

<< But your best and safest bet is the GeForce 2 MX DDR. >>

The crippled MX is no competition for the Radeon. Irrefutable point.

 

[ddiccico]

I'd say go with the radeon, except if you'll be playing games in 2k. radeon's 2k drivers suck. here's one example of the difference between 98 and 2k performance.

 

[Taz4158]

<< I'd say go with the radeon, except if you'll be playing games in 2k. radeon's 2k drivers suck. here's one example of the difference between 98 and 2k performance >>


Before you spout off what YOU believe to be fact but in truth isn't; do some research. The newest 2K drivers are within a hair of being as fast as 98. Did you notice the date on that review? And don't forget to allow for leadtime. Next time you post make sure you know exactly what it is your posting. Fair enough?

 

[Rock8713]

I have 2 systems with a Geforce2 and a Radeon. They are both excellent, but if I could only keep one, I would keep the Geforce2. Much better driver support. You can pick up a Geforce2 ( not mx )for about $150.

LOu

 

[ddiccico]

<< Before you spout off what YOU believe to be fact but in truth isn't; do some research. The newest 2K drivers are within a hair of being as fast as 98. Did you notice the date on that review? And don't forget to allow for leadtime. Next time you post make sure you know exactly what it is your posting. Fair enough >>

Yes I know the date of the review. I also have a radeon 32 MB DDR, and win2k and 98. I get about half the frames in 2k as I do in 98. Do you even own a radeon, or tried it in 2k?

 

[gcliv]

<< I also have a radeon 32 MB DDR, and win2k and 98. I get about half the frames in 2k as I do in 98. Do you even own a radeon, or tried it in 2k? >>



I think that somebody needs to upgrade his drivers once a millenium. I dont know about Taz, but I have used my Radeon DDR in BOTH 98 and Win2k, and the performance is FREAKING EQUAL 99% of the time! The other 1%, 2k beats out 98SE! Try pulling yer head out of yer @$$ before you go posting a 5 month old opinion that is no longer valid in the slightest.

 

[ddiccico]

<< I think that somebody needs to upgrade his drivers once a millenium. I dont know about Taz, but I have used my Radeon DDR in BOTH 98 and Win2k, and the performance is FREAKING EQUAL 99% of the time! The other 1%, 2k beats out 98SE! Try pulling yer head out of yer @$$ before you go posting a 5 month old opinion that is no longer valid in the slightest >>

I do have the latest drivers.

Perhaps you should tell Anand to pull his head out of his ass too, since he posted this article about 30 minutes ago.

 

[KiLLaZ]

I found it very ironic that Anand decided to post that article a couple hours after that claim

 

[gcliv]

<< Perhaps you should tell Anand to pull his head out of his ass too >>



Yes I should. Something is definitely screwy because me and too many other people defy Anand's statement.



<< They have definitely been getting better but they are still leaps behind NVIDIA >>



Methinks somebody is biased, because my Radeon drivers are a helluva lot better then Detonators, from stability to compatibility.

 

[Taz4158]

<< Yes I know the date of the review. I also have a radeon 32 MB DDR, and win2k and 98. I get about half the frames in 2k as I do in 98. Do you even own a radeon, or tried it in 2k? >>


You're obviously new here.

 

[RobsTV]

<< You're obviously new here. >>


Even in the heat of battle, the simplest things are the funniest.

I vote for GeForce2 GTS as best all around card you can get for under $150.
Since you are moving from a V3 2k, (much like I moved from a V3 3k), then you will enjoy the same crisp 2d that the V3 had, (flame away, I'm not new here), plus astoundingly fast 3d, and instant compatability with everything you throw at it. (more flames coming I'm sure).

 

[Taz4158]

<< Since you are moving from a V3 2k, (much like I moved from a V3 3k), then you will enjoy the same crisp 2d that the V3 had, (flame away, I'm not new here), plus astoundingly fast 3d, and instant compatability with everything you throw at it. (more flames coming I'm sure). >>


Why would you think you're flameworthy?

 

[RobsTV]

Just finished reading the up to date comparison of the ATI and nVidia cards done by Anandtech. This is similiar to what Sharky's and Tom's comparison reviews have been saying all along. For those too lazy to read it, I'll reprint the ending:


<< However when building a Windows 2000-gaming system you're much better off with NVIDIA than you are with ATI simply because of drivers. It is unfortunate since the Radeons are so aggressively priced right now. >>


Note that even with a price difference, Anandtech still says you are &quot;much better&quot; off with the nVidia card. the article is a good read even if you only run Win'98, as it compares the 2 cards with the latest drivers under many different games, at the resolutions most use in real life, 1024x768x32. Looks like the most up to date and acurate comparison done in months.

 

[impulse]

I was looking on Pricewatch and found v5 5500s for around $120, how good are these cards?

 

[RobsTV]

Looks like you tend to try different operating systems, so you will probably jump at the next great operating system as soon as it comes out. Trouble with the V5 is that support is done and over, so what you see is what you get. Not really a good choice for cutting edge users.

 

[gcliv]

People say the V5 will have no more support, but who cares?? Most of us tech junkies here upgrade often enough. The V5 has excellent power and mature drivers and for that price...whew!! Always did like Glide. Since it's only 120 bucks then you won't feel bad about upgrading in a year or 2 for whatever OS you want to run. Compare it to a MX, the V5 would spank it, and for about the same money. Personally, for $120 I'd rather go Radeon, even in 2k. I don't care what Mr God...er Anand....says about 2k support, it's false.

 

[Leon]

<< I don't care what Mr God...er Anand....says about 2k support, it's false. >>



Then what are you doing here?



<< Since it's only 120 bucks then you won't feel bad about
upgrading in a year or 2 for whatever OS you want to run. Compare it to a MX, the V5 would spank it, and for about the same money. >>



Considering that MX can be found for less than 80$ on Pricewatch, this isn't exactly fair comparison, isn't it?






<< efore you spout off what YOU believe to be fact but in truth isn't; do some research. The newest 2K drivers are within a hair of being as >>



I am looking. Anand did Win2k performance analysis yesterday, and ATI Win2k driver support remains crappy. 50% drop in all D3D games.

For proven support under Win2k and Linux go with NVIDIA. For Win9x, it's a tossup.

Leon

 

[gcliv]

<< Then what are you doing here? >>



I don't disagree with EVERYTHING Anand says



<< Considering that MX can be found for less than 80$ on Pricewatch, this isn't exactly fair comparison, isn't it? >>



Finally, a price correction. For a super cheap 3d card that won't do a whole lot, that MX is ok. But I'd still the the Voodoo 3 3k over the MX, in fact I have on a couple of occasions. For only $40 more you can get a V5? Still a hecka deal.