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PCI problem

Tags:
  • Graphics Cards
  • PCI
  • Intel
  • Computer
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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January 30, 2002 6:34:04 PM

My computer is a dog. Intel Celeron 500MHz, 192 RAM, and old MB with an Intel 440LX chipset. I am in the market for a new video card, but I can't get a AGP card because I don't have a slot for it on my MB. There is a built in AGP slot for the crappy ATI chip, but that's it. So I have to get a PCI. Everyone says "get a new computer or MB," but I can't afford that. That's out. So, what is my best move? Just make due with the Voodoo 3 PCI I have now? I am looking at a VisionTek Geforce2 MX400 64MB PCI card, but I get conflicting stories about it. Is that a mistake? A little help, please?

More about : pci problem

January 30, 2002 8:10:47 PM

Don't expect a lot from a PCI graphics card, since the bandwidth is way inferior to the AGP. PCI graphics cards have become somewhat rare and you may pay a premium for them. I don't see what the problem would be with the card you are mentionning. Just hope that it is recognized by the system! In any case, a PCI graphics card is a compromise if you don't want to upgrade mobo, but don't expect 300 fps in Quake 3!

<font color=red>Floppy disk?!? What the heck's a floppy disk?!?</font color=red>
January 30, 2002 8:23:50 PM

That VisionTek GF2MX400 will probably be your best bet. I had basically the same card (except it was a Hercules AGP), and it served me well.

<font color=orange>Quarter</font color=orange> <font color=blue>Pounder</font color=blue> <font color=orange>Inside</font color=orange>
a b U Graphics card
January 30, 2002 11:41:27 PM

I'll sell you a motherboard for $35. Or you can get a new high end board for $40 from <A HREF="http://www.justdeals.com" target="_new">http://www.justdeals.com&lt;/A>, look for the Soyo SY-6BA+III, or if you can scrape up another $10, the SY-6BA+IV which has an extra UDMA66 controller.
Basically, you're not going to get good performance out of PCI no matter what you do. It would be as cheap to upgrade your board. You can get a TNT2 full version card (not the cut down M64 or Vanta) for only $35 on Pricewatch, add the cost of the motherboard and it's about the same as an MX400 PCI in price and at least double the performance (due to the limmitations of PCI).

What's the frequency, Kenneth?
!