Need help choosing DirectX PCI Video Card...

[Lscman]

I want a PCI card that will play newer DirectX games under Win98SE. I realize PCI is marginal for gaming...just trying to nurse it along for another year or so. Please tell me what options I have for under $75.

I tried two new Jaton GeForce2 MX400 64M cards and both they hang my machine. PC will not boot and monitor stays in sleep mode and black screen. The mfr told me to give up and get a refund. They suggested a rare video board & motherboard incompatibility problem may exist. Three older spare video boards work perfectly and the machine has never had video or boot problems.

The machine meets all minimum specs, as confirmed by the mfr Jaton. Dell Pentium Pro 200 MHz with 256M Ram and PCI 2.1. For those who are unfamiliar, this is basically an early PII with a bastard Socket 8.

I'm foggy about this Direct x7-8-9 upgrade issue. Do you need to buy a card each year to keep up? I notice the DirectX version on PCI video hardware is usually lagging. I am concerned because this 200 MHz machine obviously can't support software 3D decoding.

 

[rbV5]

I recently installed a V3 2000 PCI on a P2 450 rig running 98se, he was happy playing Q2 using Glide (I used that card on my P100) you really need a rig upgrade before getting much more card than that, and they are compatable with the vast majority of older hardware.

You do not need to upgrade with each DX version unless you want to run the new features in hardware, they are backward compatable in software.

 

[KGB1]

lscman I bought a Geforce 2 MX 32MB PCI for my Pentium 233 MMX and it did not boot either. Nvidia PCI cards need a 266 P2 or higher, not Pentium Pro is mentioned, though the P2 was derived from the pentium Pro. The I got a ATI Radeon VE PCI . Its had 32 MB Ram, and ran on the Pentium 233 MMX. It is a DirectX 7 card, like all the Original ATI Radeon's. It only need 166 MHZ to Run or higher. That Pentium Pro is a Beaut, don't throw it away man, still can play CS and DoD on that sucka Good Luck. It plays most games that I have.

DirectX 7 is Radeon 32MB SDram, Radeon 32MB DDR, Radeon LE, Radeon VE (or 7000 series), Geforce 2MX, GTS, Pro
DirectX 8 is Radeon 8500, 8500 LE, 9000, 9000 Pro, Geforce 3, 4
DirectX 9 is Radeon 9700 Pro

 

[Lscman]

Thanks! Following your lead, I did some checking. The Radeon PCI VE was superceded by the 7200 and it looks like it has been changed some...probably to provide XP and DirectX 8.0 function. Also, the newer 7500LE is about the same price and offers video S-connector. What is your opinion about these "newer" Radeon boards running on a 200 MHz Pentium Pro and PCI 2.1. The Radeon site clearly states PCI 2.2 and PII or higher for the 7200 and 7500 PCI version??! It's a little hard to extrapolate whether these requirements are for DVD decoding or to make sure the PC will boot. The old VE boards are twice the cost at $120. Thanks for any feedback.

 

[KGB1]

Well if you happened to find a PCI version of the Radeon 7500 LE go get it. I only saw AGP versions when I did a check.

For a Radeon VE (Radeon 7000) click Here to check out a good video card for 50 bucks.

Radeon boards running on a 200 MHz Pentium Pro and PCI 2.1. The Radeon site clearly states PCI 2.2 and PII or higher for the 7200 and 7500 PCI version??! It's a little hard to extrapolate whether these requirements are for DVD decoding or to make sure the PC will boot. The old VE boards are twice the cost at $120

To play a DVD with a graphics card you REALLY need a Pentium 2 300MHZ or higher, nothing else will do. If you are lower than that you need a DVD Decoder PCI card. (50 Bucks by in it self) So you really don't have an option here unless you dont plan on watching DVD's.

$120 for a Radeon VE?? Go to the link above its $50. It should suite you well, I liked it, too bad my I had to sell it though. I don't believe you have to worry about the PCI 2.1, 2.2 standard. My Pentium 233 motherboard was a ECS with a 430 TX chipset, there were no PCI 2.1 specification and it worked fine. If by chance it does not work, the newegg website is really good on refunds.

 

[trikster2]

Originally posted by: KGB
Well if you happened to find a PCI version of the Radeon 7500 LE go get it. I only saw AGP versions when I did a check.

Got a lil dell 800LR I am thinking of upgrading:

Here's the link to a $75 Radeon 7500 LE that will do TV and dual monitor out:

TCWO $75 Radeon 7500 LE PCI

I had an old PPRO 200 from micron that I used until late in 2000. With a Voodoo2 Quake3 was playable, and Q2 based games like 1/2 life ran great.

While at this point I would probably recommend just building a new computer (1600XP/EKS MB/ Memory would cost you $130 or so) I understand trying to get the most out of what you got..........


If I recall one of the major differences between ppro and p2 was that the ppro did not have MMX? Might be why the drivers are failing.

Also ppro was horrible with 16bit apps. I got a significant performance boost when I upgraded to Windows NT (and had a lot of fun trying to get games to worK). Never tried 2000 but in theory it would support more games and be as fast as NT4.

 

[Peter]

DVD Decoder PCI card not needed if you put a Radeon in, they contain that functionality. With those, lowly K6-233 systems manage to replay a DVD properly, your PPro should (just so) do the trick too.

 

[Lscman]

I wonder if the lack of MMX technology is a problem? Note that most 166 MHz and higher Pentium I and ALL Pentium II HAVE MMX. The 32 bit architecture 180 MHz and 200 MHz Pentium Pro's (built in '95/'96 for NT4) did NOT have MMX. I wonder if the Direct X format requires MMX? Maybe there is no Direct X Video Card that will work?