Best Video Card for low end computers

[rokaholic17]

I have an intel 440zx based motherboard with a p2 266 and I now have a voodoo3 2000. I was looking for a better video card and know i probably should upgrade my cpu, mobo, etc., but i just need a cheap video card to tie me over. Its seems to me that when i tried my brother's new gf4 ti 4200 in this computer that my processor couldn't keep up with it, as my frames didn't really seem to improve over the voodoo3 that much. Anyway, what do you guys think about it?

 

[ctk1981]

If you saw little or no increase with the 4200 then forget about getting any video card now. You are being held back big time by your CPU/RAM/Mobo. Time to start saving up and upgrade your entire rig.

 

[deadseasquirrel]

i just popped in a ti4200 into my son's rig (a PIII 600) and it doubled the performance of the geforce2 gts-v that was in there. i have a tualatin 1.4g with slot adapter on the way and should see that cpu help out with the ti4200 much better.

for $100 you can get the adapter, hsf, and 1.4ghz celeron and upgrade that intel mobo, increasing your speed x6. and if you already have the ti4200 like i did, all the better.

deadseasquirrel

 

[308nato]

A used gf3 ti-200 from fs/ft will do you nicely.

 

[beatle]

I would wait and upgrade it all at once. Prices are always dropping and a newer video card isn't going to help your framerates anyway.

 

[Pete]

I don't think you'll see much improvement on that old CPU. You can upgrade to an Athlon XP1700+ plus nForce1 plus 256MB DDR for <$200 now from NewEgg, and that should give you a far greater FPS boost (using either your V3 or even the onboard GF2MX) than sticking a GF4 into your current PC. You'll probably do better with an XP1700+ / nF2-IGP / 256MB upgrade, though, and even better with a BartonXP2500+ / nF2-IGP / 512MB DDR.

I think a Voodoo3 is about as good as it'll get for your PC. A new video card might allow for higher maximum FPS, but your slow CPU/memory subsystem will still limit your all-important minimum and average FPS's. Just save your money for a new CPU/MB/RAM combo, and maybe a more powerful PSU if nec'y.

 

[mrzed]

Originally posted by: deadseasquirrel
for $100 you can get the adapter, hsf, and 1.4ghz celeron and upgrade that intel mobo, increasing your speed x6. and if you already have the ti4200 like i did, all the better.

deadseasquirrel

That motherboard is limited to 66Mhz FSB IIRC, and cannot be used with a slot adapter. Time for a complete new computer.