I just can't decide on a video card upgrade!

[Chriz]

I'm pretty poor, and I've had the same video card for quite a while now. I got it not long after I started using the anandtech BBS. It's the Diamond Viper V550, a NVIDIA Riva TNT(1) based board. Now...I have an Abit BH6 and a Celeron 450. What video card should I get next? I know i don't want to get a Geforce2 GTS or Ultra...both too expensive. But I was thinking maybe Geforce 2 MX...then again, maybe ATI Radeon, or maybe even a Matrox card. I can't decide. What do you guys think would be best for my system?

Oh, on another note...I find the BH6 1.0x after using it this long to be very unstable. It messed up many of my peripherals including my old hard drive....and my computer randomly reboots once in a while. It also seems to have the most trouble with NT4 and 2000. It just can't handle it well, and screws other hardware it seems.

 

[Charles]

You'll get many more replies soon.

If you are a gamer: Go for GeForce2
If you want good 2D image quality: Matrox G450.
If you want good DVD playback performance and (not so good drivers): ATI Radeon

 

[noxipoo]

get a MX, radeon is not cheap, matrox is poor for gaming and a bit more than MX (with no extra options like tv out)

 

[Chriz]

The only reason I'm thinking about getting a Radeon over Geforce 2 MX is because from what I've heard the Radeon has better image quality, but the big things are the Radeon has the 3 textures per pass versus 2 of the Geforce and the DVD hardware decoder on the ATI is better in case I ever get a DVD drive. Specifically, I would rather spend the extra 30 bucks and get the ATI Radeon All-in-wonder (64 MB) if it ever comes out. But i still can't decide if I should just go ahead and get the MX.

 

[otheipi]

Cast aside the blinders of framerate fixation!

Top 10 reasons I will be buying an ATI Radeon 64 DDR VIVO (Retail)

1. Superb image quality in both 2D and 3D.
2. Hyper Z technology (cleverly) solves the memory bandwidth issue .
3. Very playable framerates at high resolutions in 32 bit colour (who the HELL wants to play in 16 bit anymore?)
4. Better texture compression than NV.
5. Keyframe interpolation is ultra-cool; this is realtime morphing (ie, characters will have facial animation and perfect lipsinc). Nobody else has this!
6. Duel triple texturing units - nextgen games will take advantage of this.
7. 4-matrix skinning means more realistic joint articulation.
8. Best DVD playback.
9. Scores much higher than NV in villagemark. Best benchmark for shelflife...
10. ATI is demonstrating that this time they are committed to their drivers

The Radeon is a very, very cool card!

 

[tigger80]

How does the GeForce MX comes to only 30 bucks cheaper than the Radeon?

 

[Chriz]

No I meant Radeon is 30 bucks cheaper than the All-in-wonder radeon

 

[hans007]

you said you didnt want a geforce2 gts, but the radeaon costs just about the same. So basically you are stuck with a gf2 or a g400/450, i'd get the gf2, but get one of the ones with better 2d quality unless you want to go blind above 1024x768. I"d say the hercules gf2mx OEM would be a good bet (yeah i know it has 7ns memory compared to the retail 5.5ns, but he said he didnt have much money and its a lot cheaper, plus his celeron 450 isn't really gonna push it).

 

[vanderStoep]

On a celeron 450?
Cheap solution: voodoo3
better solution: gf MX

 

[Mem]

I`ve just upgraded from a TNT1 to a Geforce2 MX,& the first thing I noticed was the the great image quality(2D) so you will not be disappointed,it`s very sharp ,so definetly buy a Geforce2 MX.

 

[Chriz]

Yeah I could buy a GF2 MX hercules for 150. How is that Prophet II MX in playing DVD movies? I've also read in Anand's review that the GF2 displayes like crappy skies in Q3 using S3TC...what's up with that?

Btw at Best buy the Radeon 32 MB DDR is about 250 after a 50 mail in rebate I think, whereas the Prophet II GTS 64 MB is 420 dollars!

 

[Rigoletto]

You are a funny guy. Talking about these expensive cards whilst using a year old cut price processor! (NOT THAT A CELERON 450 EVER EXISTED GUYS). You must be a bit of a cheapskate to use a board which "messed up" your peripherals. I mean, WTF?!
Still, Geforce MX gets great reviews for value.

 

[Guygye]

A little advice, DONT buy at Best Buy if youre trying to save money, get it online, check Pricewatch. It may be OEM but it works just as well.

 

[Chriz]

Ok Rigoletto, you must have not been around two years ago. A celeron 450 is quite a common saying. It means....Celeron 300A overclocked to 450. From now on I'll say "my Celeron 300A overclocked to 450" ok does that make you happy?

Yeah i'm talking about video cards because the thing I need to upgrade the MOST is my video card. I haven't upgraded anything in 2 years besides my mouse and keyboard. No, I am not a cheapskate, I just don't make a lot of money. I may be talking about expensive video cards, but it doesn't mean i'll be able to buy them. I definately can't buy a Geforce 2 at 400 dollars. I don't think I'll be able to buy a Radeon but I do want an AIW Radeon really bad. I might just get a Geforce 2 MX, though. I do get a discount at best buy, btw.

 

[rpr]

Ask yourself if you are really going to use all the extras on the AIW. If not, go for the Radeon 32 MB DDR. You should be able to find it for just under $200 at Onvia.com or Buy.com with coupons (and free shipping).

 

[Quickfingerz]

hercules geforce 2 mx. Lists for $116 at pricewatch. comes to $131 after shipping. not bad. these babies overclock very well.