which little GPU 4 coding+video?

kozaki · Mar 3, 2005

Hi,

Which nVidia AGP silent GPU would you buy for coding & watching videos with a _very small budget_ ?

Is it's OK to buy an used one, if under warranty (like 2-3 months)? That's actually a point, since I have some cash available on a website that sale used hardware.

Use for :
- 40% coding
- 25% Web
- 25% videos
- old games some times (i.g. Armagetron on Linux, Homeworld on Windows), really don't care about DirectX-99 lol)
- 90% on a linux OS (better avoid ATI

)

Present hardware:
- ViewSonic E92f+ 19"
- AXP 1800+ @1687MHz & 256Mo DDR266
- tnt m64
- Winfast xp2000 Deluxe

Hardware [ASAP]:
- same screen + Winfast
- socket nforce 3
- A64 3400+ s754
- 512 DDR400 Geil single channel

Unfortunetly, THG GPU guide is of little if no help for such a profile (there's only ATI under $100)...

I know this may be an unusual question, so every advice will be much considered.

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cleeve · Mar 3, 2005

Encoding is irrelevant as the GPU isn't involved.

As far as watching video, you shouldn't be so quick to dismiss those Ati sub-$100 solutions, because even Ati's cheap solutions have great video layback/interpolation/motion compensation and some of their cheap solutions do a great job with games as well (i.e. the Radeon 9550 128-bit).

Nvidia's aren't as good, but if you need a sub-$100 card, and it's got to be an Nvidia, get a Geforce 5200.

It's not a good card compared to it's contemporaries, it doesn't have much for game playing prowess, but it's cheap, and it's an Nvidia. So I guess it fit's your requirements.

Come to think of it, a Geforce 4 Ti4200 might be the perfect fit for you. Now, there's a good Nvidia card, last generation mind you, but still quite powerful. The only drawback being that it might not be the best card for watching video.

You're going to have to hunt one down, or find one used on ebay. But you should be able to get one for $60 or less either way.

______________
Radeon 9700 PRO (o/c 332/345)
AthlonXP 3200+ (Barton 2500+ o/c 400 FSB)
3dMark03: 5,354

kozaki · Mar 3, 2005

Thanks indeed Cleeve

I know those fx5200 are mx440 + Dx999 with no more than 250/200MHz (but i compare with a tnt2m64)
Note that if only ATI had opened their driver --or produced a decent one 4 Linux-- I've had a little 9200 for a long time :sad:

As for the ti4200, well, i guess it's still a decent GPU indeed, but i'd like to get a silent GPU, with no fan like an FX5200 Asus V9520-X/TD 64Mo --> <A HREF="http://www.clubic.com/photo/00110676.jpg" target="_new">nice card</A>

#-O By coding i mean : to type something like xhtml / css / python. Sorry 4 my frenglish /\/\/\/\

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lik · Mar 3, 2005

There are passive coolers available for the ti4200 I think. And its really the best choice IMO.

P4-2800->FSB800, Asus P4P800, 512DDR-400, Creative GeForce DDR (the first one lol)

lik · Mar 3, 2005

yeah! enthusiast level reached!

P4-2800->FSB800, Asus P4P800, 512DDR-400, Creative GeForce DDR (the first one lol)

kozaki · Mar 3, 2005

Still, i cannot find any ti 4200 without fan. Guess 500MHz RAM is too quick and do need some active cooler.

What's the mx 420 compared to the mx440/4000? I cannot find it yet.

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lik · Mar 4, 2005

There aren't any without fan! You have to find one with fan and then find a passive cooler. First try to find the cooler. lol

P4-2800->FSB800, Asus P4P800, 512DDR-400, Creative GeForce DDR (the first one lol)

TheGreatGrapeApe · Mar 4, 2005

Actually you can find the FX5200, FX5600, R9000/9100/9200, R9600SE all with passively coolers already attached.

Those would be the best choices for video due to the speed of their Ramdacs usually, although some FX5200s are 350mhz so beware. If concerned with DVI that's where it's quality of TMDS when I'd suggest the ATIs based on LArs and Extremetech's investigations into their optimal frequencies.

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp (or internet account) ! - RED GREEN GA to SK :evil:

Ned_Flanders · Mar 4, 2005

My 5600 is being passivly cooled with what is supposed to be an active cooler.

I don't dare game on it, as just at windows I can't touch it for more that 2seconds (literally).

Common, I need my 6800 back!

______________
Stranded on Death Row.

Crashman · Mar 4, 2005

The problem is, ATI stomps nVidia to death for cards around $100.

Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!
Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!

TheGreatGrapeApe · Mar 4, 2005

But what about XGI, I hear they're great for video?

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp (or internet account) ! - RED GREEN GA to SK :evil:

kozaki · Mar 5, 2005

TheGreatGrapeApe > yeah all those would make it, at least for a couple of more years since I'll stay on Linux with 0 big games.

crashman > basically i agree with you, but i'm working/writing code / editing&watching videos on a Linux box. & ATI driver's support on Linux *is a piece of crap* with cards newer than the 8500 =o(
Actually i may not have the time necessary to play with the driver of a new small ATI only to get 1/2 of what a mx400 would give in a couple of minutes.

I just thought i might want to get a fx5200, thinking I have a few friends that may be happy to find some (low detail & resolution) Dx9 support for their last game. And it'll be Ok 4 me.

What you guys say is :
- ATI budget cards are better than nVidia especially for non gaming experience (but that's not on Linux especially when a64 box)
- all nVidia equal or better than GF4 mx4000 will make it, making my screen looks better than with my grand'ma tnt2

Plizz am i right on thoses statements ?

ps : i'm presently testing a Sparkle GF6600GT AGP8x that i just bought for a friend

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Crashman · Mar 6, 2005

I'd rather have an 8500 than a 5200...but if you could keep the 6600GT...

Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!
Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!

kozaki · Mar 6, 2005

Yeah ?

aaallright !
I'll tell him "take it easy dude, that's crashman's advice !" ^o^

No jokin' --> the GF6600GT is too big for my actual PSU
won't work on Linux with nVdidia drivers,
and warn me "We decreased your nVidia engine's power to protect your hardware" on Windows

i actually tested Homeworld2* on windoze and it was beautifull =o) but so slow :-(

Anyway, i'm gonna check ati 8500 prices and will compare it with a fanless mx4000 or fx 5200.
Yeah, i think i'll take the less noisy then cheapest of those 3 cards chips

* newest game i have by far ^^

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GAME · Mar 6, 2005

I'd recommend either the GF6 6200 or 6600 due to your requirements.
You are going to be on linux, chip one huge one to the NV cards.
And if you are doing video I suggest reading about <A HREF="http://www.nvidia.com/page/purevideo.html" target="_new">Purevideo</A> and read the PDF at the bottom of the page.

These cards will do best for what you are asking, and will do fine in games as well (esp the old ones you said).
Beyond that, it is DX9C hardware so if you DO ever code for DX you can play with those features.

I'd look into something like one of these.
<A HREF="http://www.techonweb.com/products/productdetail.aspx?id=B56426&src=FG" target="_new">6200</A> (this is the non-turbo cache, people have been unlocking these to 6600GT speeds, YMMV)

<A HREF="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1221040&Sku=C460-7036&SRCCODE=GOOPROD&CMP=OTC-FROOGLE" target="_new">6600</A> (u'd have to call on this one, it says AGP and PCIE)

Anytime anyone mentions video being a large factor at all, Purevideo must be mentioned. You get hardware MPG2 (DVD) and WMV-HD decoding and encoding as well as some other features.. check it out.

GAME · Mar 6, 2005

I missed this.. what kind of Linux problems are you having?

And HW2 is slow on your 6600GT? Ummm
and you are goign to replace it with a FX5200 or MX4000??

Sorry, but somethign else is wrong. Or something else in your hardware.
But you dont want a 5200 or MX4000.. you want to keep the 6600.

You got some shat going wrong, my 6800GTs work great in linux. I'd keep that card at all costs, and get a bigger PSU.

You'll be hurting yourself more if you dont. But whatever.

kozaki · Mar 7, 2005

well, i just connected the power into the 6600 GT i'm testing for my friend. Now it works pretty fine on both systems.
LOL, comming from tnt2 & GeForce 256, i didn't know about external power suply to GPU ^o^

GAME > 2morrow i'll check those links you were very kind to provide me

Pliz take note that i doubt it will make me buy a better GPU (than those cheap cards mentionned above) and a smaller CPU. Cauz' :
- i've got a Leadteck Winfast tv2000xp... but I encode videos into mpeg4 (libavcodec / XviD --> MKV), therefore mpeg2 or wma/asf decoding/encoding are all but usefull to me. 1 on 50 video i watch is a dvd.
- i'm gonna upgrade ASAP to AMD A64 (hopefully 3400+), which is gonna make it with decoding everything (but TNT, i.e. numeric tv that's coming up this month in France) i may want to watch.
- I'd rather buy the fastest A64 + mobo + PSU + RAM i can, than a very smart GPU : don't have the money for both, and don't need fast GPU for web coding & videos.

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TheGreatGrapeApe · Mar 7, 2005

BTW, that GF6200 you linked to SAYS AGP, but has a picture of PCIe, so he needs to make sure it is AGP, not PCIe.

And $145 is pricey (more than an R9600PRO and close to an R9800!)

He'd be better off with the Leadtek on NewEgg for $119, at least that's close to the $100 limit;
<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-122-216&depa=1" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-122-216&depa=1</A>

And that second link is to another 6200, not a 6600. And call on both because one say AGP pictures PCIe, and the other says both.

Now considering the lack of heavy duty gaming needs, this 128bit FX5700'LE' might be a better choice and save more money for better use elsewhere;

<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-141-012&depa=1" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-141-012&depa=1</A>

And if the Passive issue is still an issue, there's a passive FX5200(128bit / not crippled 64bit) for $69;
<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-165&depa=1" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-165&depa=1</A>

And of course there's R9600SEs, or this Passive R9600-128bit which would be the best bet for under $100 IMO;
<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-289&depa=1" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-289&depa=1</A>

Now fo more money you could go with the Leadtek AGP 6600, for about the same price as that first 6200;

<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-122-217&depa=1" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-122-217&depa=1</A>

Really I think it's overkill for what he's asking for, but I think the FX5700LE, FX5200, R9600 would be the best for his 'guidelines'.

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp (or internet account) ! - RED GREEN GA to SK :evil:

GAME · Mar 7, 2005

i think he should stick with the 6600gt he has his grubby hands on now

kozaki · Mar 7, 2005

TheGreatGrapeApe

WTH! it looks like "GeForceFX5200 fanless & without DVI are GeForce FX5100 [64-bits]"
How do you know "what's that card" (e.g. 128 or 64-bits), since French sites usually don't bother to write the model !?

Best prices i've found so far are :
- PowerColor Ati Radeon 8500 128 Mo DDR - AGP 4x - TV & DVI [2001] ... @ 70 EUR <A HREF="http://a526.g.akamai.net/7/526/14067/v1/img.priceminister.com/cover/150286530" target="_new">pic</A>
- Creative 3D Blaster 5 GF FX5200 - AGP 8x - 128 Mo - TV out, fanless [when?] ... 60 EUR <A HREF="http://a526.g.akamai.net/7/526/14067/v1/img.priceminister.com/cover/57243530" target="_new">pic</A>
- SPARKLE Nvidia GF FX5200 - 128MO DDR - AGP 8x - TV+DVI, fanless [new] ... 68 EUR <A HREF="http://a526.g.akamai.net/7/526/14067/v1/img.priceminister.com/cover/150207930" target="_new">pic</A>

Unfortunately i haven't seen any eVGA nVIDIA GeForce fx5200 for sell in France.

About nVidia PureVideo --> I find their pictures about "with usual video card" & "winth nVidia PureVide" just like washing powder TV ads or any "Before (you use our super-extra-magic powder) and after (it's whiter than white)" advertising : boring & stupid.

Say, i watch any video full screen on a ViewSonic Ultrabrite 19" @ 1280x1024 with my tnt2 m64 pro. nVidia 6600GT (newest drivers) makes videos and DVDs look just the same...
See Benchs ? :

$ mplayer -benchmark -nosound -vo null rev_theatre_0x3839_640_dl.mov

* AXP1800+ @ 147/147MHz / tnt2 m64 (xorg opensource drivers) :
VO: [null] 640x335 => 640x335 Planar YV12 [zoom]
BENCHMARKs: VC: 20,509s VO: 0,045s A: 0,000s Sys: 4,055s = 24,609s
BENCHMARK%: VC: 83,3401% VO: 0,1823% A: 0,0000% Sys: 16,4776% = 100,0000%

* AXP1800+ @ 133/133MHz / Gf 6600GT (nVidia 6029 drivers) :
VO: [null] 640x335 => 640x335 Planar YV12 [zoom]
BENCHMARKs: VC: 22,837s VO: 0,048s A: 0,000s Sys: 3,554s = 26,439s
BENCHMARK%: VC: 86,3747% VO: 0,1815% A: 0,0000% Sys: 13,4438% = 100,0000%

ps : What's the diff beetween 64 & 128-bits GPUs is less than clear after seeing <A HREF="http://www.ixbt-labs.com/articles2/over2k4/index_2003.html" target="_new">"101 video cards" by ixbt-labs.com</A>

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which little GPU 4 coding+video?

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