PCI Video Card Better than Integrated SIS 730s and Intel 810 Graphics?

[arynn]

My parents and sister have computers with integrated video - SIS 730s and Intel 810.

Would it be worthwhile to install a PCI video card in either machine?

My parents have a Sony Vaio with a Duron 800, 64 MB of RAM (increasing this would probably be the first step) and SIS integrated graphics and sound. Their OS is Windows ME

MY sister has an HP with a Celeron 466, 192 MB of RAM and Intel integrated graphics and sound. Her OS is Windows 98 SE

Would there be a noticeable performance benefit (if any at all) if I were to install a PCI video card in either machine? If so, what level of PCI video card would realize the performance benefit?

Thanks.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

GF2MX400 PCI.

 

[Rand]

If their interested in playing games then I'd definitely upgrade the video card. Otherwise the integrated video is adequate.

In terms of what card... well that's easy.

3dfx Voodoo 5 5500.

The Radeon and GF2 cores are very reliant upon AGP's feature set, and take an extremely large performance hit by going to PCI.
Hence the old and now dead V5 from 3dfx is still unquestionably vastly superior to any other PCI card available.

 

[Killrose]

Yes, the Voodoo 5500 pci is the best your going to be able to get, and probably the most expensive if you can find one. Steal some of your sisters ram and put it in the Duron system along with the 5500. Then you would have a real decent set-up.

If you can't afford the 5500, then look around the For Sale/Trade Forum and see if you can't find a V3 2000/3000 pci card. They would still trounce the on-board AGP you currently have, and run around $35.00 shipped.

 

[oldfart]

If they aren't into heavy 3D games, you dont need to change anything.

 

[arynn]

Thanks a lot for the recommendations.

I had forgotten to mention that they weren't into gaming at all, so it sounds like there would be little reason to upgrade the video card.

We will upgrade the RAM on the duron system for sure. We'll probably pick up 256 MB.

Thanks.