Recommendations for a mid-level video card for gaming

[super015]

Hi I'm new here, but I'm a lurker.

I want to buy a new video card, my current one is a GeForce2 MX400, yeah yeah I know.

I've gotten back into gaming and this vid card is killing me.

I'm looking for either a high end GF3/Radeon 7500 or low end GF4/Radeon 8500, hopefully cheaper than $150-$180.

My computer specs:

Athlon T-Bird 1.4GHz
ECS K7S5A mobo
512 GB DDR RAM
120 GB WD HD (2 drives)
Creative 52x CDROM
Plextor Plexwriter 24/10/40 CDRW
350W power supply

The games I have been playing lately:
Counter-Strike (still)
UT2003
Battlefield 1942 (this is the real killer)
Empire Earth
Star Wars Jedi Knight 2

I'm not sure I really care for Radeon's TV/Video All-In-Wonder capabilities right now ...

Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

 

[phintze]

In that price range, a GF4 is a no-brainer. I haven't checked the prices lately, but you can easily find a ti4200 for what you're looking to spend. Aboout 2 months ago I spent less than $160 on the Gainward ti4200 Golden Sample 64 MB. I've been very happy with it.

 

[aircooled]

Look at Newegg for an ATi 8500... It's a great card!

 

[Telsari]

Heh... I have a GF2 MX 400 too. Used to be a nice card, not anymore! I overclocked it to 200/200Mhz. Runs Unreal Tournament 2K at "decent" (30-60FPS?) frames at 800x600, but unsatisfactory for me. There are graphics cards (mid-level) around $100, so you should check out Googlegear. They have the Radeon 8500LE 128MB DDR w/ TV-OUT by Sapphire for $99 or so, and I think it's like $1 for 2nd day Fed-Ex shipping! That's the one I'm looking to get, I don't have much cash to spare...

In case you want to wait a little on upgrade, here's how to OC your GF2 MX 400...

Start -> Run -> regedit
Go to Local Machine -> Software -> Nvidia Corporation -> Global -> NVTweak.
Add a new DWORD key named "CoolBits"
Double click it, put hexadecimal value to 3, and click OK.

Restart.

Right click on desktop, display settings, ->Settings ->Advanced -> GeForce2 MX400 tab -> Additional properties

Here you should see a tab to adjust CLOCK FREQUENCIES.

Simply allow adjust clock frequencies, set to 200/200, and click apply at startup!

Should get you a nice boost!

 

[Telsari]

I meant Unreal Tournament 2003, lol

 

[SupaDupaCheez]

I'd like to see some recommendations too. I have approximately the same setup. I could care less about gaming but need something for capturing home videos. Been looking at Ati Radeon 7500 AIW for around $120 new (maybe less used). Anybody have experience with this card or others that offer good capturing via S-VHS?

I've read Tom's Hardware article on Video setups and the Radeon rates pretty well.

SDC

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: SupaDupaCheez
I'd like to see some recommendations too. I have approximately the same setup. I could care less about gaming but need something for capturing home videos. Been looking at Ati Radeon 7500 AIW for around $120 new (maybe less used). Anybody have experience with this card or others that offer good capturing via S-VHS?

I've read Tom's Hardware article on Video setups and the Radeon rates pretty well.

SDC

i've been trying to sell my ati all in wonder radeon 7500s in the fs/ft forum for like a month now, at much less than those prices. its pretty good for capturing video, not pro good, but good enough good.

 

[AnAndAustin]

Well top choices are Rad8500LE-128MB (rem to check the clocks and dual RAMDACs too if dual display is important to you) and GF4TI4200 (brands to avoid are EVGA, AOpen and std Gainwards). They are both very good, at Athlon 1.4ghz and up the GF4TI4200 really starts to pull away esp if you like AA. At Ath1.4ghz there isn't generally a big diff between the Rad8500 and GF4TI4200, the 4200 is wise if you plan on upgrading your CPU in the coming months. Anyway, here's a few benchies for you, bear in mind most Rad8500LE hit Rad8500 speeds and std 4200 hit 4400 speeds.

Tech Report Rad9000pro review (inc GF4TI, Rad8500/LE, GF3, GF4MX440/460 & Rad7500)

AnAndTech Rad9000pro review (inc GF4TI, Rad8500/LE, Parhelia, GF4MX440/460 & Rad7500)

Firing Squad Rad9000pro+o/c review (inc GF4TI4200, Rad8500/LE & GF4MX440/460)

HardOCP Rad9000pro review (inc Rad8500 & GF4TI4200)

AnAndTech 4200 roundup

As for SupaDupaCheez, any Radeon AIW is your best bet, nVidia Personal Cinema isn't as good (only worth considering if you want dual display or for gaming) and GF VIVO although VERY cheap is obviously basic. I don't believe AIW functionality has shnaged dramaticly since Rad7500 so that along with Rad9000-AIW seem your best bets. Oh and check out the RadeonDV versions too (ATI's website).

 

[PerfectFit]

Originally posted by: Telsari Heh... I have a GF2 MX 400 too. Used to be a nice card, not anymore! I overclocked it to 200/200Mhz.

In case you want to wait a little on upgrade, here's how to OC your GF2 MX 400...

Start -> Run -> regedit
Go to Local Machine -> Software -> Nvidia Corporation -> Global -> NVTweak.
Add a new DWORD key named "CoolBits"
Double click it, put hexadecimal value to 3, and click OK.

Restart.

Right click on desktop, display settings, ->Settings ->Advanced -> GeForce2 MX400 tab -> Additional properties

Here you should see a tab to adjust CLOCK FREQUENCIES.

Simply allow adjust clock frequencies, set to 200/200, and click apply at startup!

Did you add any additional cooling to you video card?
Is 200/200 the highest settings you got to work?

 

[SupaDupaCheez]

AnAndAustin: Thanks for the info. I've been building comps for a few years for myself but (until now) have never had a need or a want for anything higher than a 16mb Banshee or Ultra2. There are so many types of Video cards out there. This makes it very difficult for a complete noob to 'come up to speed'. Your help is appreciated.


Thanks
SDC