Need Inexpensive, But Good Video Card For P2-400 System

[richardcuccia]

I need an inexpensive, but good video card for my P2-400 System (presently with Diamond TNT 16 meg nVidia video card) that will play all present and upcoming (next 2 to 3 years) games well to at least adequately. I will be getting a new up-to-date system near the end of 2001 or early 2002. After I get the upcoming new system, the P2-400 will be for my wife and work (oh yeah, almost forgot, lol, for LAN and multiplayer online gaming.)
Presently, the P2-400 has a Diamond TNT-16 meg video card. For the P2-400's new video card, I could go to $200 if necessary, but I would prefer to stay near the $100 area.

(1) Should I keep the old TNT-16 meg and live with it forever (TNT-16meg runs fine right now)?? (2) Should I upgrade the Diamond TNT late 2001/early 2002 when I get a new system (3) If I upgrage now, should I go with (a) nvidia GeForce 2 MX or any of its many iterations (which one?), (b) Kyro 4500, (c) Others? Any ideas ?? Thanks,
Richard Cuccia, richardcuccia@home.com

 

[Sketchy]

I would recommend upgrading now if you're doing much 3D gaming (if all you play is starcraft, don't bother). The card you have right now can't really run today's games. So, for a budget card, I would say there's only 2 options really, the MX and the Radeon LE. I've heard different opinions about both, some prefer the LE, and some will vouch for the MX. Personally, I use an MX and I've had nothing but good experiences with it. I wouldn't recommend the KyroII because its performance scales with your CPU, and for a P2, it won't do well.

 

[LokutusofBorg]

I've been running a generic GF2MX on top of my P3 700 for about 9 months now (can't remember exactly). It has been a great card. I don't get top of the line performance, but I run all the games I play (Q3, UT, EQ, CS, etc.) at 800 x 600 32b, and some at 1024 x 768 32b. I read a good article about performance being more dependant on your video card than your processor, so going with a good video card would give this old system the longevity you say you want in it. I don't think a GF2 GTS or PRO is too much to go for. You can get a GTS for not too much more than 100 bucks online. Why not? I personally would not pay for an MX again with the GTS's being so cheap now. No way.

 

[nicowju]

I'd say for that system, either go with a Voodoo 3 3000/3500 if you don't need 16bit (since they're so cheap) or the Geforce2MX. I've got a Geforce2MX modded to a Quadro in my JAXU rig from my profile, and its pretty good (yeah ... a Geforce2MX on a 1.47GHz computer. hehe)

 

[richardcuccia]

Thanks a bunch, guys, for the info. I appreciate the time that you spent sending your opinions to me. Richard Cuccia, richardcuccia@home.com