What is a good AGP card for under $50?

[Creig]

Perhaps not, but as there is virtually no price difference between the two, why not opt for the higher performing card?

 

[BenSkywalker]

the Ti4200 is not less future proof, if anything it is more future proof. THe only thing it lacks is DX9 spec (SM2.0).

The DX9 specification is supposed to be the core of Longhorn's GUI- and the 5200 also offers superior vid capabilities over the Ti4200 not to mention you will have the advantage of it being new from a reputable vendor. The OP stated he does not game- given that the 5200 is nearly as good as 6800Ultras running SLI.

 

[TStep]

Seems like you hold on to your card for a long time, so I would ask yourself what you plan on doing and/or upgrading in the future. For me, I change components quite often, so I don't consider the future at all, but this seems a little different for you. From the little we know about your intentions, I would look at:

- the slot: you currently have fairly new mobo/cpu combo in comparison to the vidoe card. This gives you pci and agp slot options. Since gaming performance is not the least bit important to you, and the motherboard market is moving toward PCI-E, if you have intentions of moving to a new motherboard/cpu combo that may be PCI-E based, the AGP slot will be gone, but a PCI slot will be there. If this card would migrate to that system, a PCI card, although lower performing, may be the better choice. If you are keeping the Abit/2500+ combo, this should not be a consideration, and I would go with AGP based as there are more options.

- inclusion of a DVI connection (if an LCD is in your future)

- DX9 compatibility as someone above stated, if you would move to Longhorn

- 2D image quality. In the past, it was usually just answered with Matrox (expensive though). Seems like ATI has always been right there on IQ, but nVidia based cards depended to a certain extent on the manufacturer. Some of the Ti series may be suspect on 2D IQ from the lesser manufacturers. In light of that statement, I have a GF3 from Hercules that has pleasant 2D IQ on an LCD.

- warranty. Personal preference, you'll get much more for your $$$ on the used market, but if you don't need the performance, take the warranty

- sound: Why bother with a noisy fan if you don't need the performance. There are some fanless designs out there.

Something like a 9600SE does not have good gaming performance, but does have the ability to play to some degree. Fanless design should be a plus. DX9 for Longhorn. Should have good IQ. Maybe a little above your price range new, but it can be had for less used. Or maybe this FX5200 for $50 new. These would be the bottom end DX9 cards for Longhorn compatibilty.

Or something like this FX5200 for a PCI interface. Has DVI, vga, tv out, and DX9. Don't know about the manufacturer though for IQ.

Edit: $45 9600SE fanless for sale in the forum here

 

[Creig]

Full Retail Gigabyte 128mb 128-bit ATI 9250 for $52.00 + $0.99 shipping.

 

[deadken]

Originally posted by: Creig
Full Retail Gigabyte 128mb 128-bit ATI 9250 for $52.00 + $0.99 shipping.

This card is more Money then the one that "MidasKnight" posted on page one because it is a 128Bit card. It is certainly better then the 64Bit card posted on page one. I would suggest that you buy

THIS card which is the SAME ONE that Newegg sells but it's $10 less. This way you can get a 128bit at the same price as the 64bit one listed on the last page.

 

[Creig]

You have to be really careful when looking at cards that have both 64-bit and 128-bit versions. The people that type in the website descriptions usually don't know what the difference is between the two (or don't care).

Even though the typed description of the card says "128-bit" when you go to the images link, you'll see that the box clearly says "64-bit". Also, most of these reduced height cards that I've looked at are 64-bit.

So I would say that the link I provided to the 128-bit card on Newegg would still be the better deal at $53 shipped.

 

[idea]

I got a PNY Ti 4200 64mb used from FS/T

Thanks guys.

 

[deadken]

Congrats. Enjoy it!

 

[idea]

Yeah I think I'm gonna need a new fan for it, it's a bit too loud.

I can't believe how much faster my system got, I should've done this a long time ago.