Mayday.. Mayday... My Video card is declaring a Emergency !!!

[Vermillion]

Well, during the scenario on Saturday, my squadron mates thought I was kidding them when I told them over RW that I smelt smoke in the cockpit, and I may not make it home.

Unfortunately, I wasn't.

It looks like my video card burned up (won't know until I get home with a card from work to test it out) and I may have to purchase a new one. And I haven't been keeping up on my hardware reviews lately.

Basically, given my current financial situation, I figure that I will have to purchase some form of a GeForce 2 MX card.

So what are the better cards in this class, and should I get a 32meg or a 64meg card?

Need advice fast, if I'm to order a new card and have any hope of getting it before this weekends last frame of the Scenario.

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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure

[Lephturn]

Run down to local 'puter store and buy a GeForce 2 MX.  Brand isn't that big of a deal really, since it's nVidia's chipset and nVidia's drivers.  If you are talking the MX, it's 32 Megs.  It's the best bang for your buck and there are scads of them everywhere.

If you want better performance, go with a GeForce 2 (no MX in the name).  One with 64 Megs would be better, but it depends on your budget.  The Pro version is DDR I believe, which is also better.  Buy the one that fits your wallet best.  

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Sean "Lephturn" Conrad - Aces High Chief Trainer

A proud member of the mighty Flying Pigs
http://www.flyingpigs.com

Check out Lephturn's Aerodrome for AH articles and training info!

[bloom25]

With the MX 64 vs 32 Mb of ram makes no difference.  The Mx cards have limited bandwidth compared to the GTS or Pro cards.  I'd personally look at the Asus v7700 pure card.  I've heard this one is available under $150 now.  It's a GF2 Gts with 32 or 64 MB of RAM.



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bloom25
-MAW-
(Formerly of the)
THUNDERBIRDS

[Vermillion]

Local Computer Store Lephturn? You obviously live in a very different type of place than I do  

For a basic generic GF2MX card in my area, they want around $150 and up. On pricewatch, I saw one for $53 plus shipping.

Thanks for the lead Bloom. Still not sure that the financial situation will allow it though.

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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure

[Vermillion]

Well, I ended up ordering a ATI Radeon 32meg DDR, LE version/No TV Out for $78 including shipping.

Yes I know what the LE version means. However from what I found in my research, there is a registry edit that should restore it too full non-LE performance or very close, for most users.

The GF2 MX cards ( except for the ultra generic ones, which were still $65-$75 with shipping) were running about the same price, and the head to head comparisons were showing the Radeon's DDR's to be significantly faster but more expensive.

So for about the same money I decided to roll the dice.

My first ATI product in a long time, after buying 3 or 4 Nvidia cards in a row.

I hope it lives up to the hype. Too bad it won't be here till next week.

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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure

[Lephturn]

I just hope you don't have Win ME or Win 2k.

I know ATI's Radeon drivers have some... erm... issues with 2k.  Not sure about WinME.

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Sean "Lephturn" Conrad - Aces High Chief Trainer

A proud member of the mighty Flying Pigs
http://www.flyingpigs.com

Check out Lephturn's Aerodrome for AH articles and training info!

[Vermillion]

Win98SE

In fact, if I get off my lazy butt, I will probably do a complete new install, since my old one is getting kinda of flaky.

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Vermillion
**MOL**, Men of Leisure