Final Decision - Graphics Card Advice!

[Citadel535]

Alright, my shaky video from the Voodoo3 that is toasted in my system is starting to piss me off. My eyesight is suffering from it too(damn headaches). Anyway here is what I want to do: Get a new graphics card.

I want these things:
1. Under $150.
2. Have good drivers (important - is the UI cool looking too?)
3. Support in 98,NT4,and 2000.
4. Won't be obsolete.
5. Will be used for 2d artwork, gaming, and general computer use.

PLEASE READ THIS THOUGH:
I mostly do techie stuff with my computer (format and reload OSs and try to set up stinky networks) HOWEVER, I am counting the days for Neverwinter Nights and want to use my system as a game server. I figure a good 3D graphics card will take the processor load off my system's processor. THIS is important, and is a major factor in my buying decision.

Thanks for reading this and PLEASE help me out quick!

 

[TheMasterofallFPSs]

Sounds like you need a GeForce 2 MX or Radeon LE.

 

[VBboy]

Wha?

Get a GeForce2 Pro which is a LOT faster than GeForce2 MX!
Go to NewEgg.com and search for "Geforce 64" or "geforce pro".
They got an awesome Cardexpert 450 (overclocked) GeForce2-Pro for $147 - it just got out of stock, check back soon

If it sounds like I work for them, I don't

 

[TheMasterofallFPSs]

Oops....hmmmm...didn't know GF2 Pros had got that low...I might pick one up myself.

 

[csiro]

Try the Kyro II cards, like the Hercules 64mb. I think you can find them for under $100, pretty good deal and matches all your criterias.

 

[vampiro]

newegg has the MSI Starforce 831 GF2 Pro card in stack for $152 shipped last time I checked. The 2d is good, and the 3d is awesome. Overclockable to near ultra speeds. It is a very nice card.

 

[zippy]

I love my Guillemot/Hercules Prophet 4500 64MB Kyro2 card. I mean, the 2D isn't quite as good as my old Matrox Millenium G400 MAX, but it's good- hell, it's better than any nVidia card that I've seen.

The drivers are rock solid- in fact, according to ace's hardware they are 2-3% faster in Windows2000 than Win9x.

Great price too.

 

[Nintari]

KI have to agree with zippy there. I have both a GTS 32mb and the herc kyro II tv out and I really like the kyro II because of the image quality it provides. I didn't think there could possibly be a big difference between the two cards but the kyro II really does look very nice. A tad bit sloer than the GTS but not too much

 

[BFG10K]

For $150 you should be able to get a genuine 64 MB GF2 Pro. They are great cards with superb drivers.

 

[pillage2001]

Geforce 2 Pro 64mb hands down.

 

[DARRIN]

Not familier with the Kyro2 cards but the Geforce2 Pro cards are pretty darn sweet.

 

[Nintari]

GF2 Pro is great, nice and fast cheap price. If you are looking to do more things though with 2d images the kyro 2 will be better for that. Even in 3d games the kyro has better image quality. Newer games will run faster on the GF2 pro though.