Video Card Recommendations

[VanceVP]

I have an older system and I apparently need to upgrade my VC so the system will stop shutting down everytime I try to play AH.

What I have, as best I can tell, is:

AMD Athlon XP 2200+
NVIDIA GeForce2 MX/MX 400
1GB RAM
250W PS
2-250GB WD HDD
VIA Technologies KT400-8235 MB (I think)

My current VC is only 64MB with a HS - no cooling fan. I would like to upgrade it to no less than 128MB with a fan and I don't want to spend any more than I have to (read under $50).

Any of you computer wizards have any suggestions? I would really like to get something ordered in the next day or two.

Also, is it possible to OC this Athlon to squeeze a bit more out of it or is it okay the way it is? When I can get the game to play, it seems to run it okay for the short time it lets me stay on.

Thanks,
VanceVP

[Fulmar]

Well you have an AGP system right now and AGP is becoming harder and harder to find.

Tomshardware.com isn't recommending any AGP cards in the $50 range.

For newegg with $50 being the max price.  The best card IMO you can get is the Radeon X1650.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102751
But, I'm not sure what the PSU requirements are for the X1650.

Your Geforce 2 is quite a bit old.  If you wanted to spend more than $50 on your current system, I would say save your money and wait to start from scratch (minus your hard drives).

Perhaps something used on ebay?

[Krusty]

Power-wise, he could probably get away with a FX 5000 series of NVIDA or Radeon 9550/9600 series of video card. These would be around the $40-$60 range (depending on vendor) and give a significant boost over what he has now.

On the other hand, I agree with the "save your pennies and buy a decent one" part as you have a dead-end machine right now. You are limited in how you can upgrade your video card, ram, CPU, and other things without something stopping you.

[Ack-Ack]

But, I'm not sure what the PSU requirements are for the X1650.

He's going to need at the minimum of a 400W PSU to use a X1650 and even then it most likely not run properly.  I used to have a X1650 using a 400W PSU and I kept on getting VPU errors, CTDs and the like.  Upgraded to a 550W PSU and resolved the problem.

ack-ack

[Ack-Ack]

Slightly more than the $50 you were looking to spend but take a look at the ATI 3850 512meg AGP video cards.  Best AGP cards on the market.


ack-ack

[DREDIOCK]

Where do you live?
If your near enough or want to pay the shipping I have an old AGP 256 card you can have

Probably have an old 128 meg card as well

[Fulmar]

Slightly more than the $50 you were looking to spend but take a look at the ATI 3850 512meg AGP video cards.  Best AGP cards on the market.


ack-ack

But this would be pointless because his very old 2200+ is would be a severe CPU bottleneck for that system.
A review of the 3850 AGP on a single core AMD.  http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ati-agp-3850-agp,1939.html

I'd recommend going to a 9500 series ATI card over the bad Nvidia 5xxx series.

[DREDIOCK]

I'd recommend going to a 9500 series ATI card over the bad Nvidia 5xxx series.

and thats exactly what I have

256 meg ATI Radeon 9550

[Masherbrum]

If you replace your Video Card with one better, you're CPU is still the bottleneck.   AH2 is CPU dependant.   When you replace your PC, the money is wasted on the new VC because you're buying another one which will PCI-e.   

Save up around $700 for a new one.    The E8400's have dropped in price, the RAM is dirt cheap, Get a good PS (only around $120 for a PC Power & Cooling), decent MB and then the VC. 

[DREDIOCK]

Im going ot send him two old Vid cards I have laying around here collecting dust.
sending both because I dont remember which card is which.
One is a 128 meg card. and the other a 256
but whichone is which. I have no idea whatsoever. LOL

So Im giving him both.
I agree spending money on an AGP card is a waste.
Which is why Im giving them to him.they are just collecting dust here anyway.

Then he can use the money he was going to spend on toher options to keep this machine going till he can get a new one.

Im guessing by his current system specs he is trying to strech the life of this one out as long as possible.
I can relate. Been there myself

And comming up with a spare $700 isnt as easy as it looks for some. particularly in this economy LOL
I know Im there myself now in building a new system.

Taking me longer then I figured.
Every time I get money up. Ok this week its the CPU (BAM!) Nope, New Waterpump
Ok this week its the motherboard (BAM) Rains 3 of the next 5 days

Etc etc LOL

Life sucks sometimes

[Fulmar]

Im going ot send him two old Vid cards I have laying around here collecting dust.
sending both because I dont remember which card is which.
One is a 128 meg card. and the other a 256
but whichone is which. I have no idea whatsoever. LOL

So Im giving him both.
I agree spending money on an AGP card is a waste.
Which is why Im giving them to him.they are just collecting dust here anyway.

Wait, are you giving him the cards?

[DREDIOCK]

Wait, are you giving him the cards?

LOL Yup

If I didnt they would have just sit in my cabinet here collecting dust till I finally got tired of moving them when I was cleaning up or looking for something else.

They arent GREAT cards. never were even when new. But they are better then 64 meg cards lol