Cheap card w/good TV-out and semi-playable gaming?

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Parrotheader

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 1999
3,434
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I know ATI used to be the best solution for TV out (I use 32MB Radeon w/S-video out for my main HTPC and it still does nicely for that.) But I honestly haven't followed the latest in graphic card developments over the last year or so.

Do the GF4 MX440's put out decent TV-out video quality? The reason I ask is in that my secondary system downstairs I'd like to use it to output to my TV and old Runco projector that I occasionally use to watch sports/movies with. I'd also like it to be at least remotely gameworthy if at all possible for whenever my brother comes over so we can play LAN or online games at the same time. I realize the GF4MX series are slow in comparison to today's mainstream cards, but I'm assuming it should still be faster than the Radeon 7000s/7500s that cost roughly the same price in most situations. Or are there any better options? It'll be going on a system with a P3 1Ghz for the time being. Obviously, I don't plan to spend a whole lot on this as it won't be used too heavily.
 
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IBdaMac

Senior member
Jan 12, 2003
259
0
0
I'm going through the same situation my friend and I've come to the conclusion that it is the best idea to spend around 65 bucks or so and go with the Radeon 8500LE. I sold my 8500 way back when I got my 9700 Pro, but now I have two computers and I want tv-out on that one. When I owned the 8500 before, it rocked. I definitely think I'm going to go with the 8500LE because it supports DX8.1 as well as the TV-out is great. Not to mention that it has DDR.

Look at some benchmarks.
 
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AngryKid

Member
May 29, 2003
187
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I third the 8500 votes. I was looking for a similar card as you (video out and medium graphics) and I love the thing. Looks great on the games I play, which aren't the latest and greatest, and has given me no grief.
 
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Parrotheader

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 1999
3,434
2
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Actually an 8500 is what I still use in my main rig. :D I was going to upgrade a couple months ago, but it still does just fine for all the games I currently play (only BF1942 really stresses it and that game crashes so much due to netcode) so I didn't see the need to throw the money out there for nothing. I'll most likely just slap in an old Rage 128Pro my dad has for the time being and just wait a couple more months to upgrade to something more powerful on my main rig and then move my 8500 down to the secondary system.

Whatever happened to depreciation in video card prices as new technology came out though? :confused: I bought my 8500 about 8 months ago for about $85 (admittedly on a good deal) but they're STILL in that price range? And new Ti4200s STILL cost roughly about what they did at that time as well. I was assuming the more recent gen Radeons and GeForces would eventually drop down to the prices the 8500 and 4200s were at 8 months ago, but apparently I was wrong.
 
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