Help me pick a cheap Graphics Card

[JacksterMan]

Hey guys, I've been upgrading my old PC bit by bit. Here are the specs:

HP 753n Mini-ATX tower (MSI Motherboard)
300GB Seagate HDD (Upgraded from 80GB)
2.53Ghz Pentium 4
1GB RAM (Upgraded from 512)

I've also added a DVD burner. The next step, and probably the upgrade that this machine has needed since day 1, is the awful awful integrated Intel graphics. I mainly want to be able to run Vista with Aero enabled and want to be able to play games like Alien Arena. Here are three cards I'm considering:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130233
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127290
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127290R

I know they're in the $40-$50 range but I'm a student and can't afford much higher than that. The card needs to be able to:

Run Vista with Aero enabled
Be able to play games like Alien Arena (Open Source FPS, not very demanding)
Be fully supported under OSX86 (Most NVidia 6200 cards are supported according to the wiki)
Must be AGP

Also my PSU is only 200W, I can't fit a better one in there since this one is proprietary. Would that pose a problem?

Thanks a lot,
--Jacksterman

[JacksterMan]

Uh-oh, looks like all three cards need at least 18 amps on the 12V line, my PSU can only handle 12 amps.

Crud.

Is it still possible? I've heard reports of some people doing just fine with graphics cards and underpowered PSU's but I'd rather not risk ordering the card and then experiencing random reboots while playing games. The card specifications say 18 amps minimum, but is that for a system with multiple HDDs, tons of fans, CCFL lights, etc. etc.? I only have one HDD and two fans (including the one in the PSU) and nothing else fancy.

[Midknyte]

those cards don't have external power anyway. You'll probably be ok.

the 6200 would be the best card of the ones you picked. The 6200LE is a crippled 6200.

The 9600Pro is a WAY better card than a 6200.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131227

[JacksterMan]

That's reassuring, thanks.

The 9600PRO is tempting but it's not supported under osx86 and ATI's Linux support is lackluster at best. I think I'll probably go with the EVGA (the first link).


Thanks

[Midknyte]

The 9600pro is supported according to this:

http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/HCL_10.4.8#ATi_2Radeon 9600 Pro (256MB) ATI, PowerColor(Kurouto-Shikou released in Japan) JaS 10.4.6 DVD + Jas 10.4.8 Update(Included in Jas 10.4.8 DVD). QE / CI enabled by Callisto. This is already included in Jas 10.4.8 Update. Modify the ATIRadeon9700GA.plugin using the methods described in the Callisto package. Mouse tearing can be decreased with MouseLocator. Both Any By AGPGart.kext(1.1beta needs modify) recognized as AGP Card

[JacksterMan]

I didn't see that when I was looking at compatible cards, thanks! Well the 9600PRO looks good but is it power-hungry enough to cause issues with my weak PSU? This card has a fan while the 6200 does not.

[Midknyte]

fans are really low power. Both the 9600pro and 6200 say they require a 300W psu, so that's a moot point. neither has an extra power plug, so it's all powered via the agp slot.

i know you still want to run linux, so you might want to go with nvidia. as for gaming, the 9600pro smokes the 6200.

[JacksterMan]

I think I will go with the 9600, I'd rather have better gaming in Windows than better support in Linux. Linux support is not that important to me, I know I've ranted against Linux but I've decided to give it another try (didn't seem so bad this time with the latest Ubuntu release but I still prefer windows), however since my laptop's graphics have 3D acceleration under Linux it's not very important on my desktop. Thanks a ton for the link to the 9600, I'll let you know how it all turns out.

[JacksterMan]

Update - I just picked up a used Sony Trinitron 420GS at my local thrift shop for $10 and..... <b>wow</b>. I don't think I've ever seen a monitor that looks this amazing. It's in good shape, nice and bright, and does 1600x1200 at 75Hz, and it looks AMAZING. Screw LCD, I've never seen any other monitor look this good. Can't wait to get that video card now.

[JacksterMan]

I am about to order the card, but.... What is the difference between the 9600 PRO and the 9600XT? They are both the same price.

[Midknyte]

The XT is a better card with higher clock speeds. Get the XT.

[JacksterMan]

I just recieved the XT two days ago and wow.... Aero runs flawlessly, games run a million times better than ever before, and it is fully OS X supported (except for resolution switching, doesn't matter to me though). Thanks a ton for recommending this card, I would have gone with the weaker NVidia if you hadn't pointed it out. I also bought a DVI-VGA adapter and I've got dual monitors working flawlessly. Plays back HD content very well and every game I've tried on it looks amazing (compared to before), can even run my favorite game (RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, it's awesome if you're into simulators) with all settings as high as they go.

I also downloaded the ATI Animusic demo and it's a jaw dropper (check it out if you have an ATI card, it's meant for the 9700 but runs on any semi-modern ATI card). The card requires external power from the PSU, which really worried me at first, but it's ran great for the past 3 days and I let the Animusic demo loop for 3 hours the day I got it, the system remained stable without rebooting or anything. Thanks a ton for the recommendation!