Author Topic: Under $100 card: nVidia FX 5500 or ATI 9550 (Read 366 times)

LePaul · « **on:** May 14, 2005, 09:24:06 PM »

I have a Dell Poweredge SC400 Server I am no longer using. Its a Pentium 4 2.8ghz. 1.5gb RAM

Until I build my next AMD system, I'd love to format this machine and use it as a game machine for a few months. It has an AGP slot.

The PNY nVidia card looks the most promising. But I'd really like to give ATI a chance to sway me.

Which would you chose of the two. FX 5500 or ATI 9550 ? Both are available locally.

I'd be curious how well these would work in AH2.

Thanks!

Roscoroo · « **Reply #1 on:** May 14, 2005, 11:39:19 PM »

i have an powercolour 9550 256 mb in my old gamer
1.3 ghz amd , 512 ram , win 98

it plays ah2 set at 800x600 32bit with the sliders at 1/2 way ... really nice fps 30-75/80 id say its a good to great low cost card ( i paid 95.00 for mine)

i dont own a fx5500 so i wont comment on that .

CHECKERS · « **Reply #2 on:** May 15, 2005, 05:15:59 AM »

You might want look at the BFG GeForce 5700 Ultra ....
It's a very good card ......

~~CHECKERS~~

LePaul · « **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2005, 11:44:36 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by CHECKERS
You might want look at the BFG GeForce 5700 Ultra ....
It's a very good card ......

~~CHECKERS~~

~~Sir...red pill or blue pill....~~

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 15, 2005, 12:20:08 PM »

Extend your search to the internet and dont rely on what is available locally. You can get excellent deals on much better video cards now. Both of those were previously mid-level cards, and are now low end stuff. Not saying if you already have one that they arent useable, but if you have to lay out the cash for a new one, why buy the stuff at the bottom of the pile?

LePaul · « **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2005, 12:26:33 PM »

I may heed the suggestion of a friend and just wait another payday...and get something in the sub-$200 category, which opens up things like the nVidia 6600's and such

After paying some bills, I had a lil extra cash to spend...i was wondering if those two cards mentioned would make the cut for being abe to play AH2 well.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2005, 05:19:52 PM »

Either one would work, and with your CPU probably be satisfactory. But for not much more you can get so much more card for the money by stepping up to a 6600. Dont get me wrong, the ATI stuff is just as good, but nothing ATI is offering for under 200 bucks will touch a 6600's performance.

FX1 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 17, 2005, 02:50:55 PM »

You might want look at the BFG GeForce 5700 Ultra ....
It's a very good card ......

I have this card and love it. Got it on sale for $89 at fry's. I dont buy the new best stuff so i guess my cpu is 1 year behind the market. Allso i will never buy anything thats not a sale item ever.

LePaul · « **Reply #8 on:** May 17, 2005, 06:46:49 PM »

Update:

One of the guys on my forums offered me his old ATI All-In-Wonder 9700 Pro for the cost of shipping. So, I'll give a ATI a try.

Thanks for the suggestions.