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I have a quick little question. What is the best PCI video card? I want to upgrade but don't have an AGP slot, so I it need to be a PCI card.

Rank: ? (142)
Member #: 10223

I can't believe no one here knows what the best PCI video card is, they don't have many to choose from at any of the usual computer stores, but they don't necessarily have the best selection.

I just want to get the best possible card for my computer and all I have is a PCI slot. Doesn't anyone know what would be the best Card to get?

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Hi. I think it would depend on what you are using it for. Games? Video? TV watching?

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Member #: 10223

Hey thanks for the reply. I would be using it for 3D content creation for next generation Video Games (Normal mapping ect.) so basically the answer to your question would be, Games.

I've got my eye on the nVidia GeForce FX 5200. But I want to know if there anything better out there for gaming. the best PCI video card. I think I've seen the GeForce FX 5400 in PCI, but just because its number is higher doesn't make it better, case in point the ATI RADEON 9200 vs. the 9100, 9100 being the better card (from what I've heard).

Cost isn't really an issue, since most PCI cards are in the low to mid range anyway, I just want the best card I can get, unless it's not worth the extra money and the next card down or so will be just as good.

I got a P4 with 1.70 HGz CPU and a Gig of ram.

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Inno3D GeForce FX5600 256MB PCI card is the best. I believe BFG also has a competive GeForce FX5600 256MB Asylum. Then its a toss up between the Inno3D GeForce FX5600 128MB and BFG Asylum GeForce FX5200 256MB.

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Hmm. thanks for the video card info. I will defiantly check those out. I didn't even know that there was a 256 version of the 5200. unless that was a typo.

Now I'm off to find a good place to get me one.

I know that Best Buy, circuit city and Compusa (got agp version) don't carry them, so I guess I need to order it online.

I found Amamax for the inno3D GeForce FX5600 256MB PCI for $168 and free shipping.
And the 128 version for $109 with free shipping.
You wouldn't happen to know of any other place that has it any cheaper now would you?

Or I can get the PNY GeForce FX 5200 128MB DDR PCI for $80 at best buy ($120 -$30 mail in rebate and – my $10 dollar off anything coupon)

Now the real question. is the 5600 worth the extra money? And how much better is the 5600 128 vs. the 5200 128. I guess I'll be looking for some reviews about that next.

Thanks again for the info.

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Member #: 10223

Ok. get this. I have been looking for a PCI Video Card because I don't have an AGP slot, right. well. I popped open my computer case and what do I see. an AGP slot. (my computer is getting old and I could have swore that I read somewhere that I didn't have one. but I was wrong)

Now what I would like to know is: What is the best AGP Graphics Card under $150 bucks? Perhaps a bit more if it's really worth the money. but I prefer it to be cheap. It MUST support DirectX 9.0

I really don't know what to get now that I have so many more options now that I can get an AGP Video card.

Thanks for any suggestions that anyone might have.

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Member #: 8368

i personally don't know much about hardware...let alone video cards..but i know a good site:
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/index.html

does comparisons etc with different components - quite helpful if you wnat an unbiased view i think.

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Thanks for the link. I have actually been there before. they do have some nice reviews, although some contradict one another. For example one review said the Geforce FX 5700 was no good, but I found 2 others that said it was good, so which is right?

I suppose I should have started a new thread asking for the best sub $150 graphics card now that I know that I know I have an AGP slot and the thread topic is asking for the best PCI card. But I already bought my new card, so too late for that now.

Just to let anyone know that is reading this that might be curious as to what I finally decided to get, I went out and got my self the PNY GeForce FX 5900se for $180.00, a bit more than I wanted to spend but, oh well.

If you think I made a bad decision (or good). let me know. Although there is not much I can do about it if I did make a bad purchasing decision, my 14 days (to take it back) are just about up. It seems to me to have the best price to performance for a card out now, so I am happy with it... for now

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i'd go with a ati 9250 256mb ddr.....240mhz gpuand 220mhz ram...radlinker will take it to 275mhz gpu 240mhz ram safly

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it's basically a decision between an NVidia or an ATI-card. I personally prefer ATI, but it depends also on the motherboard you are using. Many have already graphics/sound support from NVidia built in, then I guess you're better of with a NVidia card.

Also important:

- What is the speed of your AGP Slot and can it handle the card at full speed

- What are the clockspeeds of the card, what options does it support, does it need 2k/XP, won't it overload your system?

- Does the card generate a lot of heat? Would it be necessary to add cooling/power

I have a MSI Mega 180, which is a 'mini/barebone' system... I started off with the graphics card I pulled out of my tower, a 256 MB NVidia card, but it was too hot... I changed it for an ATI 9600 256 and now everything is fine (except for some 'inconsistencies', because of my motherboard having a NVidia chipset)...

So, inform thoroughly...

Greetings,

daonlyfreez

(not-logged-in)

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I previously owned a Vision Tek 9100 pci 128mb video card man that card can push. That is the little card that could. I don't really bridge into Nvidia but I owned a 16mb TNT 2 Riva pci it was a great card. I'm just saying you can't go wrong with pci no matter what your doing. Now when you talk about high end gaming your looking at a agp or pci express video card. But, if all you are doing is playing need for speed underground, medal of honor, or battlefeild 1942 pci is the way to go no matter what hardware your running.

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 Anonymous Coward writes...


I'm so glad I came across this post because it's exactly the info I'm looking for. All I want to play is Call of Duty and maybe BF 1942. I don't have an AGP slot, so I'm looking into PCI cards. Can I get an someone's opinion on the following cards? (See links.) I'm running a P4 2.2GhZ with 640mb memory. Thanks!

this

or perhaps this

Rank: ? (1533)
Member #: 15283

 Anonymous Coward writes...

Yep. Good card. Easily installed drivers too.


You seem to be inferring that the transfer rate is better through the PCI?
Do you think this? --All minor motherboard architecture variations apart I mean. Likewise allowing all available video cards to be
approximately equal in the choice available.
Or, -are you referring to a supposed relative ease of configuration, through the PCI?
Perhaps I'm labouring under a delusion here. _B_

Rank: ? (4821)
Member #: 3416

i'm a little confused--it appears that it's being suggested that pci is better than agp for some situations?

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Only if it's an Express PCI slot. Otherwise you have shared reading.

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Bang for the buck and direct x 9 compatible 8x and 4x compatible ati radeon 9550. Of course I have to say I am partial to ati over nvidia and so didn't really look at nvidia. I just ordered mine from newegg for less than a hundred.
Hope this helps

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Member #: 15283

 Anonymous Coward writes...

Yep. -Is That you daonlyfreez? (not logged in again) _B_

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http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-139-166R&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Your best bet...Nvidia 5700

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Member #: 5295

In fact AC hit on the target. AGP is being phased out, soon to be like the ISA and VESA slots. With the PCI Express boasting a 5GB bandwith (with version 2.0) it all boils down to how you are with your money? Are you a typical teen user that upgrades every other year or someone who wants a system that can last the through a 5 year mission? The point is technology. The reason why they are going the PCI route will be for overall conformity to a standard system. The AGP though had its glory days was good for little more than videocards. The PCI Express can handle anything from a top-of-the-line video card to your old PCI 56k dial-up modem. With that in mind you may really want to get a hold of that PCI Express. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/12/16/pci_express_doubled/

Still do what I do. I never buy the newest thing. I knew that when the PCI Express came out there would be a version 2 or something of that nature. Also, dont forget about AMD's Dual Core CPU. That's right you heard me. A Dual Core CPU. One of the bigest reasons we all want faster video cards are for real time graphics and high detail and frame rate. May want to read this also...
http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle.cfm?articleid=451&catid=2

Keep in mind that the fastest Motherboard speed is 800MHZ so far, and that Open GL and DirectX are also a big factor in videocards.