Budget Graphics

[JeremyJ83]

I will probably be building a computer for my father in a little while. The computer will probably only be used for editing photos, wordprocessing, maybe a few older games, and as a DVD player. I was thinking of 1 of these 4 chipsets. Which one would be the best: GeForce 4 Ti4200, GeForce 3 Ti200, Radeon 8500LE, or Radeon 7500? Thanks for the help.

Jeremy

 

[pac1085]

Definetly the TI4200

 

[Adul]

for you father the 7500 would be more then enough. though the ti4200 would be the fastest.

Save the money and pick up a 7500 or 8500le at most.

 

[Fulcrum]

The 8500LE is the best value for your needs at around $100. If want top notch 3D even though your dad may never use it, get the GF4 TI4200 64mb at around $160 or so. I'd say the 8500LE is most likely good enough.

 

[Woodchuck2000]

For "maybe a few older games" a Geforce 2MX 200 would be absolutely fine. There's no point spending money on even a Radeon 7500 if it's not gonna get used.

 

[JeremiahTheGreat]

The Geforce2MX200 is not really fine on even the old games (if even chokes on CS!), the GF2MX400 is the lowest you want to go..

 

[FishTankX]

Key word here is as a DVD player (In addition to the 2d apps). Definatley the 8500LE. That's your best bet.

 

[Rand]

Of the boards listed I'd vote for the R7500.

If he's only an occasional games and mostly playing older games then even the R7500 would be over-kill in terms of performance so he certainly wouldnt need a R8500/Ti4200.

Plus with photo-editing and the like he'd be better matched with ATi's superior 2D visual quality... and with it seeing use as a DVD player it's even more in ATi's favor with ATi having what's widely regarded as the industry's best DVD playback.

 

[bluemax]

I vote for a fanless Radeon LE (not VE.... well, actually, a 7000/VE wouldn't be too shabby for his needs.)

The Radeon LE still has good oomph for some gaming but a Radeon 7000 would be more than adequate (awesome DVD too!) for everything except hardcore gaming.
ATI is also known for excellent 2D graphics.

Keep your eyes open for a good deal on a Matrox G400 or G450 as well.... again, solid DVD and 2D quality.

 

[spanky]

u said budget graphics... so i came in expecting like mx this... le that... but for ur purposes... the 8500le would be very nice.

 

[littlegohan]

the radeon8500 series can not display subtitiles when hardware accelearation is on in dvd software

Is still a good bang for the buck card though