Radeon 9550 Video Card

[Pghpooh]

HI
Last night after I posted a reply on this board my video card died!! It is a ATI All In Wonder 7200. (3 1/2 years old) I replaced it with a 10 year old pci card to get back so I could do some looking and buying.
I don't have a set price range.
I am not a gamer, but with grand kids growing and getting on the pc, games could be in the future. For now, it's mostly internet surfing and word processing. If I do decide to buy a game or two it might be something like Sim City! LOLOL
My system is a Asus a7v133 with a 4x agp slot.
Cpu is a t-berd 1200 running at 1300+
Win XP Home
768 mb ram
3 hard drives of 80 gig each.
After taking a quick look around I like the Radeon 9550 Video Card. I'm comfy with the price of around $129 at Best Buy and other places.
Also, I used my old card to record video and play it back on the pc. I want to add the Hauppauge pvr 150 and software by Snapstream to my pc so I can continue recording tv programs.
A motherboard and cpu upgrade is in the future. For now, I need a new video card.
While looking around I noticed that there are video cards that are AGP and still PCI. (not express) Any advantage of AGP over PCI?
As always, all help and comments ARE NEEDED!!!!!
Thanks
Pghpooh

 

[Paratus]

For $130 get yourself a 9600XT from Newegg. Much better value, much better card.

Definately go AGP, PCI (non express) are almost non existent and the best you'll find is the ATI 9100 PCI which is several generations old.

 

[pkypkypky]

9550? I wanted to get one so i did a search for info...

i was going to get a ti4200, but i'm thinking this might be equivalent or better?

newegg has a 9550 @ $59 shipped starting. i'm confused about your $129 remark

 

[Pghpooh]

HI
Best Buy Has it for $129. ATI retail.
Best Buy


Pghpooh

 

[Pghpooh]

HI
Here is the dumb,,, STOOOOPID question of the day.
I know if I buy a ATI board, I'll pay extra.
BUT, if I buy one made by MSI or any other company that uses the 9550 chip set, what kind of product am I getting and what about the support for drivers, etc.
Thanks
Pghpooh

 

[pkypkypky]

I'm not that familiar with the diff...maybe you can fill me in. Mine only has 128mb, but you can easily get 256mb for much less. And yea, if I was spending that money, no question, I'd get a 9600XT....oh wait, that what I have!

I'm looking for a $60 video card and was interested in the 9550

 

[pkypkypky]

if it's an ati card, you still use ati drivers from the site. Most people use those updated drivers anyways from the site...

not worth the price diff...i'm sure that will be the concensus

 

[daveybrat]

Here's your answers:

1) 256MB or 128MB of ram makes NO difference whatsoever on low end cards. Don't waste money on a 256MB.

2) MSI, Gigabyte, Asus ATI 9550 cards are just as fast and reliable as the built by from my own experiences.

3) You would download the latest ATI catalyst drivers for whatever brand you get. You download the same drivers from www. ati.com for the MSI, Gigabyte and Asus as you do the built by ATI cards.

4) Here is the card you need to buy for half the price:

Newegg MSI 9550 128MB Retail Box AGP

I've used this card for many builds, it's very nice and solid card.

 

[Paratus]

Originally posted by: daveybrat
Here's your answers:

1) 256MB or 128MB of ram makes NO difference whatsoever on low end cards. Don't waste money on a 256MB.

2) MSI, Gigabyte, Asus ATI 9550 cards are just as fast and reliable as the built by from my own experiences.

3) You would download the latest ATI catalyst drivers for whatever brand you get. You download the same drivers from www. ati.com for the MSI, Gigabyte and Asus as you do the built by ATI cards.

4) Here is the card you need to buy for half the price:

Newegg MSI 9550 128MB Retail Box AGP

I've used this card for many builds, it's very nice and solid card.

One thing Asus general provides their own drivers at least for my 9600XT. Although they are basically just rebranded catalysts. And from what I understand you can use the standard catalysts if you want.

 

[Pghpooh]

HI
Thanks for the info.
I have a bad habit of getting caught up in the "Name Brand" when I have to buy parts for my pc. Another thing is I haven't really kept up on things in the computer world since I built this machine about 4 years ago. That's why I log on to this board at 2am and ask those STOOOOPID questions!!! LOLOL
Thanks
Pghpooh