PCI Video cards obsolete?

[MrElusive]

Is it me or have PCI cards almost become obsolete? I'm unfortunate and have all PCIs and I don't have enough money to get a new computer. I have a Visiontek Xtasy geForce 2 MX400 64MB that I got for 100 bux. Is this the best card out now for PCI? Will there be anymore PCI's? I had a Voodoo5 but sold it since nothing supported it anymore. (Sort of regret it) Overclocking seems pointless and harmful so I'll pass on that. Any comments appreciated. Also, if all else fails, what would be a good motherboard to get thats under 200?

 

[MrElusive]

I remember hearing from my friend that he could run almost any game with an 80 gig HD and 200mhz processor. Another question would be is the processor the epicenter of the system? I only have 700Mhz and I really like this computer but many people are trying to discourage me to ditch it.

 

[Windogg]

PCI video cards will not disappear. They will be around because there are still many useful tasks. While more and more companies are realeasing dual head AGP cards, some businesses such as commodities trading or other brokerage type jobs typically require 3 or more monitors. Thus the PCI video card comes in to fill the role. Unfortunatly they will not be the latest or greatest 3D chipsets. Some cite the bandwidth (or lack thereof) that is leading to the demise of mainstream PCI video cards.

I suppose you could try a OEM 64MB ATI Radeon 7000 series of PCI video cards but I doubt the performance difference will be huge.

Windogg

 

[Rand]

<< I only have 700Mhz and I really like this computer but many people are trying to discourage me to ditch it. >>



If your happy with it then keep it. Your the one using the system, not them... your the one who's opinion matters.
If your satisfied then there is no reason to waste the money on upgrading.
Upgrade when YOU need it, when your system isnt fast enough for you. Don't upgrade when others think you need it... their not the ones using the system, you are.

PCI graphics cards are not going tnaywhere as there are still many people with older systems or I810 boards with no AGP slot looking to upgrade. And in certain portions of the market a PCI graphics card would be preferable to an AGP card.

As for the fastest PCI graphics card for gaming, that's easily the V5 5500/V5 5000.
The Radeon 7200/Kyro 2/GF2 MX400 is PCI are available, but all three of those chips tend to be quite reliant upon AGP's advanced features and take a pretty hefty performance drop running in PCI. A PCI GF2 MX400 generally performs a bit better then an AGP GF2 MX200.

 

[JellyBaby]

When PCI Express or whatever next-gen bus becomes standard, I think you'll see AGP slots and all AGP cards go the way of the dinosaur. PCI will rule again.

 

[Goosemaster]

Think of it this way.


There is a company named 3dlabs.

they make the Oxygen vx series.

IT is 66mhz



but STILL PCI

 

[Diable]

You can get a 64MB PCI GF4MX card here for $59. Just scroll down until you see Daytona.

 

[Instagib]

I thought they were offering that sucky card in PCI.

 

[FishTankX]

You absolutley do *not* have the most powerful PCI videocard, not by a *long* shot. Most powerful videocards is as follows!

Radeon All in wonder

The Radeon all in wonder will let you watch TV and let you pull some 80FPS in things like quakeIII. Too bad it's a 32 meg card..

Oh yeah, and an upgrade to a 1GHZ 100MHZ FSB PIII wouldn't hurt.. would put alot more life into your rig.

 

[sharkeeper]

I think it's safe to say that ISA video cards are obsolete.

That failing, you don't see too many VLB and EISA cards either.

Cheers!

 

[bluemax]

Awww... that's just because noone MAKES them anymore.

 

[Woodchuck2000]

Aah, vesa... the only thing longer than a v5-5500