Best video card for an ageing PIII 500?

Deadalus

Member
Jun 15, 2001
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I've decided against upgrading my whole system (I'll hang on a bit longer (maybe a lot longer :D) and then buy a totally new one). So just temporarily what is the best video card I could put in my PC that would work better than my current V3 3000? I have a PIII 500 with 256Mb RAM...and Win 98SE.

I'm hoping that I will be able to use FSAA in some of my older games (e.g. X-Wing Alliance) and still get a reasonale FPS count - will this be possible considering my processor?

Thx,
 

TunaBoo

Diamond Member
May 6, 2001
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Readeon LE or geforce2 mx(even tho Im anti NVida ;) )

Someone that will do more stuff ON card and be cheap. Otherwise I would have said Kyro2 ;)
 

Poncherelli

Senior member
May 28, 2001
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I have a PIII 500 MHz and just put in a Rage 128 Pro that my friend gave me and it seems to hold up just fine in all the games i play like RTSs and FPS like CS and other mods.
 

Deadalus

Member
Jun 15, 2001
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A Rage 128 wouldn't really be an upgrade over my Voodoo 3 3000 though...would it? I thought there were of the same generation.
 

Marty

Banned
Oct 11, 1999
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The best video card for your computer is the same as the best video card for any computer: the GeForce 3. The question is, will your system hold this card back to the extent that it offers no tangible benefits over a cheaper card? The answer is probably yes. You could go with a GFMX, or a GF2GTS; either of those would make a difference - the bigger differrence existing with the more expensive cad, obviously.

Marty
 

mithrandir2001

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
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I recommend a GeForce2 Pro. They aren't much more expensive than an MX and performance is much better. A GeForce3 would probably be overkill for a 500MHz machine. But yes, you can definitely replace the Voodoo3 and expect some more gaming life out of your P3-500 with a newer card.
 

Deadalus

Member
Jun 15, 2001
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Thanks for the advice everyone... I'll probably go for a GeForce but what is the difference between a PRO and a GTS?
 

huanaku

Golden Member
Jan 20, 2001
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You *could* get a voodoo5 64 meg for cheap right now. Check price watch. The only problem is that there won't be any more driver updates nor support, but ... I have a voodoo5, and dual boot win2k and win98se and love it. I wouldn't trade it for anything right now. Just got to worry about no more update, but the last drivers are very stable, and as cheap as it is. Great performance.
 

bjc112

Lifer
Dec 23, 2000
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go PRO.. they run at 400 mhz.. and with a small overclock.. just about an ULTRA! ;).. and they run for about 150 on new egg... that will be the card i will have soon!!
 

mithrandir2001

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
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The GeForce PRO has faster memory than the GTS. I believe the GTS has 6ns memory (333MHz DDR effective) and the PRO has 5ns memory (400MHz DDR effective). That's a 20% increase in memory performance. You won't see 20% increase in framerates, but it does help.
 

yaethom

Senior member
Jun 7, 2001
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I did the same thing the guy above posted...

I went from p3-500, 384 ram, with v3 3000 to p3-500,384ram, with v5 5500. I even run the same OS's as him. Freaky.

I found out this was the better upgrade to make, since the v5 is so cheap. It will save u money for that big upgrade in the future.
And of course, u can always just buy a geforce 3, and then use that for ur next upgraded computer.
 

bernse

Diamond Member
Aug 29, 2000
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I have a TNT2 in my "old" p3-500 and she still goes strong. It stands up very favorably still and is an excellent second system (1.2Ghz being my primary).

That being said, when I get a GF3 my V5500AGP will be calling the P3-500 home.