HELP ASAP! WoW v-card needed for old PC

[fishboi]

Please help me get the best bang for my buck. I need a PCI v-card for an old PC. Here is a list of all the 256MB PCI cards. I am looking at the ones specifically that are LOW PROFILE or SFF. Obviously DX9 compatible. Sorted by price.

Thanks guys,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048+1069609642+1068309611&name=256MB

PS. I must be able to run Burning Crusade!!

BC Requirements:
Video:
Minimum: 32MB 3D graphics processor with Hardware Transform and Lighting, such as an NVIDIA GeForce 2 class card or above
Recommended: 64MB VRAM 3D graphics processor with Vertex and Pixel Shader capability, such as an NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700 class card or above

 

[fishboi]

THG doesnt cover SFF v-cards, so whats your best bet?

This one looks good:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129062

 

[cleeve]

For the old PCI interface? Get a Geforce 6200 or Radoen X1550.

My money'd be on the X1550 to be a bit faster.

 

[fishboi]

I read that the X1550 is basically the same as the X1300 and not worth the cost. Its also hard to fine one in small form factor. Did you look at the list? Would u mind pulling one out there I can take a look at? Thanks!

 

[cleeve]

I should mention: the most important thing is to STAY AWAY FROM 64-bit CARDS!

The cheapest 128-bit 6200 is about $90, and the X1550 is about $95. It's cheaper than the X1300 and it should have a slightly higher clockspeed so I'd still go with the X1550.

 

[fishboi]

The only x1550 for $95 I can find is this one, but its NOT low profile:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103031

Any other ideas? Thanks man.

 

[cleeve]

Sorry dude, it was in the first newegg list you posted.

Like I said though, just make sure it's a 128-bit card, Geforce 6200, Radeon X1300 or X1550.

If there's no 128-bit low pro/SFF then just get the cheapest 6200/X1300/X1550 you can find. Your performance will be so bottlenecked unfortunately, I don't know if it'll matter that much which you choose.

 

[fishboi]

Yeah, PCI sucks but this is the only PC I have to work with for now. My friend cant afford something better.

 

[Anoobis]

Luckily it's just WOW which isn't all that graphics intensive.

Any of the 128-Bit 6200s, X1300s, or X1550s should be able to handle it.

Is this going in a Dell or some other OEM?

 

[fishboi]

Its a HP DC5000 SFF. The specs are online. I can post them if you want. You think this will work?

 

[Anoobis]

The cards themselves can handle it and the SFF cards should fit. It's the low-bandwidth PCI bus that could cause you a problem.

 

[F34R1355]

If you want ATI then go with http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129069

If you want Nvidia then go with http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814139013

In this case I think that the ATI will be the best choice because of its active cooling. Small cases do not provide the best airflow. The X1300 beats the X1550 because it is 128-bit over 64-bit. The X1300 also beats the lower priced X1300 because it is a true low profile card, the other X1300 you lose 1 connector.

The ATI beats the 6200 because it has active cooling. They about tie on the chip set. Also note that they tie on the memory bus. This 6200 beats the other listed 6200s because it is true low profile it is 128-bit, and looks to have a better heat sink.

To sum it up I would go with the ATI X1300 in the link above. Also as stated above by Anoobis the PCI bus will slow it down. Too bad it does not have an AGP slot.

 

[rodney_ws]

Yet another WoW addict desperately trying to feed his habit.
*shakes his head disapprovingly*

 

[onestar]

Almost as bad as a civilization addict. tsk tsk

 

[rammedstein]

don't knock wow addicts, there are alot worse things out there... yeah, go wiht the x1300, it is the better choice.

 

[rammedstein]

don't knock wow addicts, there are alot worse things out there... yeah, go wiht the x1300, it is the better choice.

 

[spuddyt]

don't knock wow addicts, there are alot worse things out there... yeah, go wiht the x1300, it is the better choice.

you'd be surprised how bad it can get

 

[F34R1355]

Tenacious D addicts?

 

[fishboi]

If the PCI hardware will be the limitation and not the card, how do I calculate the size of the bottle neck? If its more than 25%, Im just pissing money away. Anyone know how to model this out?

 

[kpo6969]

http://www.pcuniverse.com/product.asp?pid=2944321

if this is your system:
http://www.pcuniverse.com/product.asp?pid=2946758&m_id=32

 

[KyleSTL]

kpo, that card you recommended is a 2D workstation card (the kind for video editing or stock trading computers). That will probably not run anything 3D (or at least do it well). Aside from that, it is rediculously overpriced.

 

[kpo6969]

I'm sorry about that, thanks for the info. Constructive critisizm is a good thing. I didn't realize it was that kind of system. Thanks again.