Best Video Card Less Than 100 Bucks.

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11-06-2003, 04:46 AM
healimonster

I have a Nvida geforece 2 64mb card. A card that I thought was highly capable.

Recently i downloaded and tried the new Final Fantasy benchmark and my computer was nearly OFF THE CHARTS!!! (unfortunately in the bad way).

I have a p4 running XP with only 384 MB of ram. I know I need to upgrade that as well. But at least I know exactly what I need to buy.

If I can spend something less than 100... hopefully something around 80 on sale. What is the best card to get? I guess I mean best deal, we can argue which card is better for here to the end of time. I don't care about that, I just need an upgrade and I need the most bang for my buck.

I have always been a fan of nvidia for compatibility reasons, but I am open minded.

I don't know what a DVI out is, so i have no need for it. I also have no need for a programmable card, since I won't know how to program it.

What enspireded me to ask you guys is that I saw some prices for a nvidia FX 5200 with 256 MB that cost the same as a FX 5600 with 128 MB? which one do you take.

I bet I should probably go with the extra memory, since the 5600 might have options I will never take advantage of.

Thanks for any suggestions.

And to anyone who recently purchase a video card in that price range I would love to hear what you got, how much, and where, since I am very much shopping around.
11-06-2003, 05:33 AM
johnboy27

Where are yuo located? It would be easier for people to help you if we knew what currency you were using and where you are from.
11-06-2003, 05:36 AM
healimonster

I thought bucks were strictly an american currency. I guess not.

I am on the east side of the united states on america.
11-06-2003, 08:10 AM
Spock4

$63CDN >> Aopen GeForce4 MX440-8X 64MB DDR AGP8x w/TV Retail

This video card will play anything.
11-06-2003, 08:45 AM
bob_the_alien

I would have to agree with Spock4, I'm using the Geforce 4 MX-440, 120 MB of Ram though, and it plays everything I want, with no hassle at all.

And I know you can get them way under 100 bucks now.

Well, just visited pricewatch.com, and you can get much better cards than the Geforce 4 for less than 100 dollars. so try there, and see what you like.
11-06-2003, 11:48 AM
3RA1N1AC

i disagree. i wouldn't upgrade from a Geforce 2 to a Geforce 4 MX because the GF4MX is technically almost the same thing as a GF2. there'd be no point, because it's barely an upgrade at all.

if you insist on sticking with Nvidia, get at least a Geforce 4 Ti or a Geforce FX.
11-06-2003, 02:31 PM
Virtualbody1234

Why go with a MX or Ti when you can have DirectX9 supported FX5200?

http://www.a2zcomp.com/images/products/S_8917.GIF

$59.

http://www.a2zcomp.com/buy.asp?ref=3&sku=8903110
11-06-2003, 03:11 PM
healimonster

is that just a no-name nvidia card? kind of like no-name micron memory?

Am I correct in thinking that I want to get a card with more memory such as something with 256 MB of ram?

Or are there faster cards with only 128 MB of ram.

Is this a good deal or card? It looks like a no-name FX 5200 with 256mb for 79 dollars.

thanks

I guess is there any words of caution for buying a no name product like this?
11-06-2003, 03:43 PM
DarthInsinuate

Quote:

Originally posted by healimonster@6 November 2003 - 15:11
Am I correct in thinking that I want to get a card with more memory such as  something with 256 MB of ram?

actually you're wrong - though having the extra memory does infact give you a little speed boost, its not worth the extra money you pay for it

buying a no-name card usually means you just won't get extra bits like software, its still the same card in effect
11-06-2003, 05:18 PM
3RA1N1AC

Quote:

Originally posted by Virtualbody1234@6 November 2003 - 06:31
Why go with a MX or Ti when you can have DirectX9 supported FX5200?

because the FX5200's test scores are worse than Geforce 4 Ti's and it's not exactly going to tear up DirectX 9 games anyway? hardware support for DirectX 9 effects is there... but is the card fast enough that it'll actually be desirable to render them? newer doesn't necessarily mean better in the case of the 5200.
11-06-2003, 05:38 PM
mentalfusion420

go with gf4ti im running it and it is bad ass!
11-06-2003, 08:27 PM
Virtualbody1234

Quote:

Originally posted by healimonster@6 November 2003 - 10:11
is that just a no-name nvidia card? kind of like no-name micron memory?

Am I correct in thinking that I want to get a card with more memory such as something with 256 MB of ram?

Or are there faster cards with only 128 MB of ram.

Is this a good deal or card? It looks like a no-name FX 5200 with 256mb for 79 dollars.

thanks

I guess is there any words of caution for buying a no name product like this?

No, the one I posted is a MSI branded card.
11-06-2003, 08:38 PM
Neo 721

Anything from the old 4000 TI range still stands out as being the best value for money, they dont have Direct 9 support but the difference isnt that significent.
11-07-2003, 12:50 AM
kazaaliterock

never ever go w/ a apollo card. there is absolutely no tech support. they dont even got a site. i got a mx440 64mb ddr from apollo and its shtity as fuck. i dont know how to describe it but during games weird thing would pop up. i would return mine but the rma and the shipping cost almost as much as the card. :angry: :blink: :swear:
11-07-2003, 08:51 PM
doobie

definately dont get a geforce 4 mx if you want to play silent hill 3, it doent even support mx cards.

i think im gonna get a jaton geforce fx 5600 128mb ddr from newegg. is this any good.