Video Card Recommendations

[silverbullet555]

I picked up a Compaq SR1012NX as an additional basic system. It has an XP3000+, two sticks of 256 MB PC2700 DDR, Integrated GeForece Mx graphics (has an open AGP slot) with 64MB of system memory allocated to video card. The motherboard is an ASUS A7N8X-LA.

This computer is not going to be used for any serious gaming. I know it will not handle it. If I want to do any real gaming I will have to build another system and I know that, but I would like to get the system memory freed up and get some kind of video performance. I have an MSI Starforce which is a Geforce 2 GTS chip with 64MB of DDR SGRAM and an Elsa Gladiac with the same GPU and 32MB of SGRAM.

So I could put either of those cards in or I could buy a new one. I was thinking of something as basic as the ECS aTI 9200 for $50 or as high as the ATI AIW 9600XT for about $145.

I don't want to buy a video card that this basic machine will never be able to keep up with. Let me know what you think.

 

[usernamemax20charact]

Well, it won't handle gaming as is with the integrated graphics, but if you were to put in a decent video card (i.e. 9800 Pro or better) and up the RAM some more (1 GB?) I don't see why it couldn't handle some serious gaming. The CPU is plenty good. The real limiting factor is only the video card.

 

[usernamemax20charact]

Well, it won't handle gaming as is with the integrated graphics, but if you were to put in a decent video card (i.e. 9800 Pro or better) and up the RAM some more (1 GB?) I don't see why it couldn't handle some serious gaming. The CPU is plenty good. The real limiting factor is only the video card.

 

[PrayForDeath]

If you grab an FX 5900XT for ~170$ you'll have a nice gaming machine (especially for Doom III), you can make it even better by adding 512Mb of ram to your machine.
But stay away from the SEs (9600SE and 9200SE) if you wanna have a gaming machine, they both suck for gaming.
If you want a cheaper card you can get a 9600XT or a 5700 Ultra for 120-150$

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: PrayForDeath
If you grab an FX 5900XT for ~170$ you'll have a nice gaming machine (especially for Doom III), you can make it even better by adding 512Mb of ram to your machine.
But stay away from the SEs (9600SE and 9200SE) if you wanna have a gaming machine, they both suck for gaming.
If you want a cheaper card you can get a 9600XT or a 5700 Ultra for 120-150$

Agreed, however add both used and new 9800Pro and 9700Pros to that list.

-Kevin

 

[bamacre]

Yeah, I agree, add a good video card and it could be a great gaming machine. I'm running an x800pro on my P4 2.4ghz system with 1024MB PC2700. The slower cpu and memory don't seem to be hurting me too much. I get 40-60 fps on far cry (all vid on high/ultra at 16x12) and Doom 3 (12x10 w/ high quality).

 

[Brackus2]

nothing is wrong with your system,

dont throw in either of your two old cards, they are both worse than your onboard I'd wager, at least in most app's.

The 9800 non-se looks to be a solid buy and would fit nicely with your system, I also agree with 5700, 5900, or 9600xt as they are all solid, will be comparable with your system, and should be found fairly cheap around.

The decision is yours, I personally wouldnt buy anything outside of these cards cept maybe 9700 and up, so just start with the 9600xt, make a decision based on price, either buy it, or spend a few more bucks and get a slightly better card,

Happy Gaming,

Dustin

 

[silverbullet555]

When I last went shopping for video cards the manufacturer mattered. Does it still matter or are the cards equal as long as it has the same chip and same spped/amount of ram?

 

[Cawchy87]

9700pro for ~120-130 + muskin basic pc3200 512 ram modual. you will be able to play any game out.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-146-219&depa=1

and pick up a 9700pro off of ebay

 

[Bucksnort]

For God's sakes dont buy a video card off ebay!!! I would go for a 9800 pro if you can (new) or a 5900se, xt. Your system will be just fine especially when you are able to up the ram to 1 gig. I have a 2400+ with 1 gig pc 2100 ram (slooow) and 9800p and I run doom 3 just great on high settings 1024x768. For manufacturers, for radeons I prefer sapphire, built by ati or HIS. Nvidia i like eVGA.