NForce4 + PCI Express Video vs NForce3 and AGP

[jflongo]

I am getting ready to build a budget PC for a friend.

I'm debating between

GIGABYTE "GA-K8NS Ultra-939" NVIDIA nForce3 ULTRA Chipset Motherboard $115
AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache, Socket 939 64-bit Processor - Retail $146.00
GIGABYTE ATI RADEON 9550 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "GV-R955128D" -RETAIL $67.00

Versus

GIGABYTE "GA-K8NF-9" NVIDIA nForce4 4X Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU $117.00
AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache, Socket 939 64-bit Processor - Retail $146.00
Sapphire ATI RADEON X300 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, PCI Express, Model "100591L $78.00


So we are looking at $13.00 more for the PCI-Express version. I'm guessing he will get a little less performance from the Video Card, but will have the most recent hardware, which will allow for better upgrades in the future.

How does the PCI-Express X300 compare to the AGP Radeon 9550? I don't think he will be doing any heavy gaming like Half-Life 2 or Doom III. It will mainly be for running dual monitors, general surfing, and other general stuff.

 

[Rugger]

If he's not doing any heavy gaming, then he should be good with the X300.

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[endyen]

The x300 gets my vote, as the worst graphics card Ati has made this century.

 

[Rugger]

Is it not sufficient for surfing, running dual monitors and office apps?

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<font color=red>You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!</font color=red>

 

[jflongo]

I'm sure it will be either 2 VGA, or 1 DVI and 1 VGA.