video card choice

[hambo_12]

Hi, My friend has recently bought a second hand PIII 733 with 128 Mb RAM, but only a built in Video Card. I was wondering, what would be the best video card for him to buy that wont be overkill, one that will be just right and in line with his system?

 

[Chubz]

Hi, My friend has recently bought a second hand PIII 733 with 128 Mb RAM, but only a built in Video Card. I was wondering, what would be the best video card for him to buy that wont be overkill, one that will be just right and in line with his system?

Geforce 2-4, MX series or early Titanium series.

 

[Martin]

Depends on whether the platform is AGP or PCI.

AGP:

Radeon 9000/9000 Pro
Radeon 9100
Radeon 9600 (now in the $90-100 range; Little note: doesn't work on AGP 1.0 slots)
GeForce3 Ti 200
GeForce4 Ti 4200
GeForce FX 5200

PCI:

Radeon 9000
Radeon 9100
GeForce FX 5200

Always good to give some headroom for future upgrades.

 

[hambo_12]

excuse the ignorance, but how do I tell if it is an AGP or PCI platform??

 

[smartech]

The simplest way, on my opinion, is just to open your comp's case, and look, is it any AGP slot there, and does the video card plugged in.

 

[hambo_12]

pretty simple, thanks smartech!

 

[raiden_nrl]

Martin you said 9600 now in the 90-100$ range so does that mean the price drop has started...i havnt seen it anywere? or is that just for the 9600 not the XT or Pros?

 

[hambo_12]

Also AGP1.0 and AGP2.0 slots, how do I tell that, or is it just as simple as before??

 

[Martin]

Martin you said 9600 now in the 90-100$ range so does that mean the price drop has started...i havnt seen it anywere? or is that just for the 9600 not the XT or Pros?

The vanilla 9600, NOT Pro or XT.

Also AGP1.0 and AGP2.0 slots, how do I tell that, or is it just as simple as before??

AGP 1.0 slot:

AGP 2.0 slot: (universal) - most later PIII machines are equipped with these

 

[hambo_12]

cheers martin, makes it so much easier when you can see the pics!!